Attending the opening ceremony, there were Mr. Nguyen Tien Thanh - Director of Cooperation Department (Vietnam Social Security); Mr. Mike Hannah – a lecturer and former Head of Communications (University of Waikato); Ms. Nguyen Nam Giang - Southeast Asia Regional Director (University of Waikato); Representative of External Information Department (Ministry of Information and Communications); leaders, representatives of a number of units under the Social Insurance and lecturers, experts from Waikato University and in the country.

Students of the course include officials working in the field of communication and external information at some units of Vietnam Social Security, including: Media Center, Social Insurance Magazine, Social Insurance Newspaper, Department of International Cooperation and Social Insurance of provinces and cities: Hanoi, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Binh Duong, Dong Nai and Hai Duong.

Lecturers and students participating in the course

Speaking at the opening ceremony, on behalf of the Organizing Committee, Mr. Nguyen Tien Thanh said that the media and foreign affairs have an important role and position in unifying awareness and creating consensus of domestic and international public opinion on the purpose, meaning and importance of social insurance and health insurance policies in the cause of social security of Vietnam. With the spirit of learning and marketing, the Organizing Committee wants the students to seriously study and exchange to end the course with new knowledge, new and modern skills in the field of communication and external information. From there, students can enhance the advisory capacity for leaders of units and localities in this field, contributing to the implementation of policies on social insurance, health insurance and unemployment insurance better and better.

According to the program, the course takes place in 05 days (from 11th-15th November). Students will learn and equip knowledge on 6 topics including: Overview of communication strategy; the strategic and operational role of the media function; evidence-based communication strategy; digital breakthrough and communication strategy; develop complex communication strategies with management support; Crisis communication plan./.