Tran Huu Chinh

Tran Huu Chinh arrived in New Zealand in 1967, to commence studies for a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch. This meant a lot of hard work - "The educational programmes (in New Zealand) are high in terms of international standards. Students must work hard to get good results" - and even greater memories of the welcoming environment he experienced.

"When I came to Christchurch, the environment was even more green and beautiful than I thought it would be. I spent a lot of my time by the Avon River where I often sat down with a hot 'fish and chips' box. How wonderful it was. New Zealanders are friendly and sincere, and made me feel at home."

The quality of New Zealand's tertiary programmes - based on the British system - gave Tran Huu Chinh both the knowledge and platform to progress both his career and, at a later date, education. "When I returned to Vietnam, I was very confident with the knowledge I learnt from New Zealand. The knowledge and experience I gained in New Zealand was a good foundation for me to proceed my work successfully and also help me to obtain some other degrees - such as a Bachelor of Economics (from the University of Ho Chi Minh City 1985-1988), and more recently, a Masters of Management (from the Training Programme of Masters of Management between Belgium and Vietnam)."

"I only spent five years studying and working in New Zealand, but this time was an important part of my life and I never forget this most beautiful and meaningful time. If overseas students have a chance to study in New Zealand, I think they will be successful in their profession as well as in their life."