Kyungpook National University Launches First National University Franchise Education Export, Will Operate KNU Curriculum in Vietnam
- Date
- 2026/03/10
- Writer
- English
- Hit
- 338
MOA signed with FPT University on March 5 to establish ‘KNU Vietnam’ in Hanoi
Kyungpook National University (KNU) has become the first national university in South Korea to export its curriculum overseas through a franchise model. Under this arrangement, KNU's academic programs will be operated locally in Vietnam, and students will be awarded KNU degrees.
On March 5, KNU (President Heo Young-woo) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with FPT University at the FPT Tower in Hanoi, Vietnam, to implement "Franchise-type Transnational Education (TNE)."
The signing ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials, including: Heo Young-woo, President of Kyungpook National University; Choi Kyo-jin, Minister of Education (South Korea); Nguyen Khac Thanh, President of FPT University; and Nguyen Van Khoa, CEO of FPT Group.
Franchise-type TNE is a system where a domestic university provides its curriculum to an overseas institution. This allows local students to complete the same academic courses and earn a degree from the Korean university without having to relocate to South Korea. Unlike traditional exchange programs or joint curriculums, this model integrates curriculum provision, academic management, and degree conferment.
Under the agreement, KNU and FPT University plan to establish ‘KNU Vietnam’ in Hanoi, which will operate KNU undergraduate degree programs. Specifically, students at KNU Vietnam will follow the same undergraduate curriculum as those at KNU and will receive a KNU degree upon graduation.
The undergraduate courses will be condensed into a 3-year program (operating on a 3-semester-per-year system), and KNU will provide the curriculum and award degrees, while FPT University will be responsible for local operations and management.
KNU has been building a foundation for educational cooperation in Vietnam since 2019 through a "Twinning Program" with Thai Nguyen University of Information and Communication Technology. FPT University, KNU's new partner, was established by FPT Group, Vietnam's largest IT company, specifically to foster global IT talent. The two universities plan to begin student recruitment immediately following the agreement, with KNU Vietnam scheduled to begin operations in the second half of this year.
"This project is highly significant as it marks the first case of a national university expanding overseas in a franchise format," said KNU President Heo Young-woo. "We look forward to cultivating outstanding Vietnamese talent through KNU’s curriculum and using this as a catalyst to expand international educational cooperation.“
Kyungpook National University (KNU) has become the first national university in South Korea to export its curriculum overseas through a franchise model. Under this arrangement, KNU's academic programs will be operated locally in Vietnam, and students will be awarded KNU degrees.
On March 5, KNU (President Heo Young-woo) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with FPT University at the FPT Tower in Hanoi, Vietnam, to implement "Franchise-type Transnational Education (TNE)."
The signing ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials, including: Heo Young-woo, President of Kyungpook National University; Choi Kyo-jin, Minister of Education (South Korea); Nguyen Khac Thanh, President of FPT University; and Nguyen Van Khoa, CEO of FPT Group.
Franchise-type TNE is a system where a domestic university provides its curriculum to an overseas institution. This allows local students to complete the same academic courses and earn a degree from the Korean university without having to relocate to South Korea. Unlike traditional exchange programs or joint curriculums, this model integrates curriculum provision, academic management, and degree conferment.
Under the agreement, KNU and FPT University plan to establish ‘KNU Vietnam’ in Hanoi, which will operate KNU undergraduate degree programs. Specifically, students at KNU Vietnam will follow the same undergraduate curriculum as those at KNU and will receive a KNU degree upon graduation.
The undergraduate courses will be condensed into a 3-year program (operating on a 3-semester-per-year system), and KNU will provide the curriculum and award degrees, while FPT University will be responsible for local operations and management.
KNU has been building a foundation for educational cooperation in Vietnam since 2019 through a "Twinning Program" with Thai Nguyen University of Information and Communication Technology. FPT University, KNU's new partner, was established by FPT Group, Vietnam's largest IT company, specifically to foster global IT talent. The two universities plan to begin student recruitment immediately following the agreement, with KNU Vietnam scheduled to begin operations in the second half of this year.
"This project is highly significant as it marks the first case of a national university expanding overseas in a franchise format," said KNU President Heo Young-woo. "We look forward to cultivating outstanding Vietnamese talent through KNU’s curriculum and using this as a catalyst to expand international educational cooperation.“