Vietnamese-Australian initiative nurtures bright global career prospects

Almost 100 Vietnamese learners now possess life-changing global qualifications for commercial cookery and hospitality careers, after graduating from a ground-breaking Vietnamese-Australian initiative.

The latest graduands of Know One, Teach One (KOTO) in Vietnam - which partners with Melbourne’s Box Hill Institute (BHI) - celebrated their graduation on 21 June in Hanoi.

The event saw 95 students graduate with BHI Commercial Cookery and Hospitality qualifications completed over the past three years. They celebrated in style at the JW Marriott Hotel, Hanoi, with the aptly chosen ‘Resilience’ theme underscoring their inspiring journeys through the pandemic and other life challenges to realise their dreams.

BHI has more than 20 years’ experience in delivering Transnational Education programs globally. The Melbourne-based provider was declared Australia’s national winner in 2018 for International Training Provider of the Year.

BHI CEO and Managing Director Grant Radford was represented by Executive Director Strategy and Corporate Services, Laura Macpherson, who delivered the graduation address. Ms Macpherson said the ceremony continues a success story between the two organisations and their life-changing support to youths as the world emerges from the pandemic.

“This special graduation ceremony marks 18 years since our two organisations officially united with common goals to support learners across Vietnam by providing a path to obtain globally recognised qualifications,” Ms Macpherson said.

“The personal success stories here are incredibly touching and are a credit to each individual’s dedication and skill, and to KOTO founder Jimmy Pham who we work closely with to align qualifications and training to both local Vietnamese employers and those across the world.

“I’m incredibly proud to say that together, BHI and KOTO has helped provide global hospitality or commercial cookery qualifications to more than 1,300 KOTO students in Vietnam over the past 18 years. I’m also thrilled about our 100% employment rate for KOTO students. I am filled with confidence and excitement for what lies ahead for this year’s graduates.”

KOTO is a not-for-profit social enterprise. Each year 100 at-risk and disadvantaged youths enrol in a 24-month vocational training program where they gain hospitality qualifications, learn English, computer skills, literacy and life skills.

KOTO founder and Executive Chairman, Jimmy Pham said: “The KOTO graduation is held each year whereby we come together to celebrate the achievements of our graduates. It is also an opportunity for KOTO to properly thank the people who have supported us in continuing our mission to help at-risk and disadvantaged youth, especially more now than ever, coming out of a very difficult pandemic.”

“The KOTO graduation could not and cannot be complete without the presence and support of Box Hill Institute, an organisation that has been our partner for over two decades. We thank Laura Macpherson and the BHI team for taking time to come here to celebrate this milestone with us and for seeing firsthand the incredible work KOTO is still doing with our Vietnamese youth using the power of education," Mr Pham said.

Mr Pham is an Australian-Vietnamese who grew up in Australia. Upon his return to Vietnam, he was struck by the poverty and plight street kids were enduring and was determined to help them become self-sufficient. He started a sandwich shop in Hanoi with a group of these street kids which evolved into the KOTO organisation.  In partnership with sponsors and Australian training partner BHI, KOTO has literally made dreams come true for hundreds of former street kids – a testament to their resilience.

Graduates are now working in many countries with their globally recognised qualifications in roles such as executive and sous chefs, hotel and resort general managers, business owners and several other hospitality roles.

KOTO graduates are offered ongoing support by BHI which offers alumni scholarship opportunities to graduates wishing to further their studies at the Melbourne campuses.

Media enquiries and photos: James O’Loan james.oloan@boxhill.edu.au 0466 397 509