The Vientiane-Hanoi Friendship Vocational school has become one of the most effective in the Lao capital city of Vientiane since its operation in October, 2004.

The school was built at a cost of 12 billion VND (roughly 636,000 USD) in non-refundable aid provided by Vietnam ’s capital city of Hanoi .

It first operated as an intermediate school with a 27-teacher staff and 210 students, focusing on only three majors—computer accounting, computer administrative management and computer technology--said the school’s rector Uthay Bannavong.

Since then, the number of students has increased to over 1,000 for the 2009-2010 academic year.

This year, it has become a vocational college with some special majors like information technology, business computing and electronics. It plans to expand to include more specialities in future, he said.

The school’s improved quality is due to Vietnamese teaching techniques, which focus on practice more than theory, the rector said, adding that after graduating many have had the chance to continue their studies in Vietnam .

The school, with its continuous development in specialised knowledge and technology, serves as a symbol of the educational ties between the two countries, he said./.