On 23 February 2026, the ceremonial graduation of the first healthcare assistant cohort at the International Nursing Center (INC) took place at IMC Krems. It was a special moment not only for the 30 graduates, but also for all project partners who have supported this significant milestone of the Vietnam nursing project.
Press
First graduation ceremonies at the International Nursing Center
A milestone for the Vietnam nursing project
The ceremony officially marked the completion of training for the first cohort of the Vietnam nursing project initiated by the Province of Lower Austria. The aim of the project is to address the growing demand for qualified nursing professionals in a sustainable and quality-assured manner.
Participants applied for the programme in Vietnam and were admitted following a selection process. They completed several years of German language training up to level B2 in Vietnam. This was followed by professional training as healthcare assistants in Lower Austria at the International Nursing Center of IMC Krems – in accordance with Austrian standards and complemented by practical placements in facilities of the Lower Austrian Health Agency (NÖ Landesgesundheitsagentur). After successfully passing the final board examination, the graduates will now commence their professional careers in nursing homes and long-term care facilities in Lower Austria.
Ceremony with international guests of honour
The ceremony was opened by Ulrike Prommer, CEO of IMC Krems. In her speech, she emphasised the importance of the project for Lower Austria and international cooperation: “This first graduation ceremony is far more than a formal act: it stands for courage, perseverance and lived international partnership. Our graduates have consciously chosen to undertake demanding training in a new country. They can rightly be proud of this achievement.”
Udo Brändle, CEO of IMC Krems, welcomed the guests of honour and guided the audience through the ceremony.
Welcome remarks were delivered by Vũ Lê Thái Hoàng, Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. A video message was also sent by the International Education Center, a long-standing partner institution of IMC Krems.
Viktoria Engelmaier, programme director of the International Nursing Center, paid tribute in her speech to the group’s professional development and personal growth.
The keynote address was delivered by Christiane Teschl-Hofmeister, Member of the Provincial Government of Lower Austria: “From the outset of the project, it was important to me that future professionals are trained in accordance with our Austrian standards and complete placements in Lower Austrian care centres, combined with appropriate language preparation at the university in Hanoi. With this combination, the young Vietnamese professionals are a genuine support to the care sector and to the approximately 4,000 nursing staff working in Lower Austria’s care and support centres.”
Following the issuance of their official documents, the 30 graduates will take up their positions with the Lower Austrian Health Agency.
Ceremonial presentation of certificates
The highlight of the event was the ceremonial presentation of certificates by Ulrike Prommer, Christiane Teschl-Hofmeister and Markus Golla, authorised signatory of the International Nursing Center.
Markus Golla underlined the European uniqueness of the project: “The International Nursing Center is a flagship project for international recruitment of skilled professionals and, thanks to the university cooperation between Hanoi and Krems, unique in Europe. The combination of language preparation in Vietnam and professional training according to Austrian standards here in Lower Austria guarantees not only the quality expected by our care institutions and, above all, by those in need of care, but also the level of integration that is essential for the sustainable success of this project. During the first cohort, we also learned a great deal in order to make this pathway even more efficient. Projects of this kind are time- and resource-intensive, yet they represent an important option alongside established training pathways in nursing and healthcare.”
Livestream connects continents
For those unable to attend in person in Krems – especially friends and relatives in Vietnam – the graduation ceremony was broadcast via livestream, allowing this special day to be celebrated together across continents.
30 new trainees to commence
With the successful completion of the first cohort, a key milestone in the implementation of the Vietnam nursing project has been reached. The graduates will now strengthen nursing teams in facilities across Lower Austria, making an important contribution to the sustainable safeguarding of care provision in the province. At the same time, this first graduation ceremony marks the beginning of further cohorts. At the end of February, 30 new trainees from Vietnam will commence their professional training as healthcare assistants in Lower Austria – continuing an international partnership that extends far beyond education and training.
