President Dr. Hubert Benitez and Trustee Jerry Taufield explore new university partnerships, student and faculty exchanges, and the role of institutional mission in the age of artificial intelligence
JERSEY CITY, N.J. – October 19, 2026 –
Saint Peter’s University is advancing its international academic engagement through new partnership opportunities in Vietnam, building relationships that could expand global learning experiences for students, create opportunities for faculty collaboration, and strengthen the University’s presence across Southeast Asia.
During a recent visit to Vietnam, Saint Peter’s University President Dr. Hubert Benitez, accompanied by Board of Trustees member Jerry Taufield, met with representatives of higher education institutions to explore opportunities for academic collaboration. The visit resulted in the signing of preliminary memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with Cuu Long University in the Mekong Delta region and Ho Chi Minh City Open University, establishing a foundation for future discussions around cultural and student exchanges, faculty engagement, academic collaboration, and potential academic programs, and dual-degree offerings.
The visit reflects the important role institutional leadership can play in advancing the University’s strategic priorities and creating new opportunities. The University has been able to establish connections with prospective academic partners in Vietnam and Korea, opening pathways for future collaboration and extending its reach into new international markets.
“These conversations are an important step in exploring how Saint Peter’s can create meaningful academic opportunities beyond our campus and borders,” said Dr. Benitez. “International partnerships have the potential to broaden our students’ perspectives, strengthen faculty collaboration, and connect our University community with new ideas, cultures, and approaches to learning. As we pursue these opportunities, we remain focused on advancing our mission and ensuring that our students are prepared to contribute in an increasingly interconnected world.”
The agreements with the two Vietnamese institutions provide a starting point for identifying areas of mutual interest and developing specific collaborative initiatives. As discussions continue, potential opportunities may include student mobility, faculty exchanges, shared academic programming, and dual-degree pathways that allow students to benefit from educational experiences across institutions and countries.
Saint Peter’s is also building on its experience developing international partnerships in other regions. Eight months after signing a memorandum of understanding with partners in Mexico, the University expects to welcome its first group of students from those partnerships in summer 2027. In addition, two Mexican universities are in the final stages of developing a dual-degree option involving Saint Peter’s and the participating institutions. The emerging Vietnam partnerships represent another opportunity to translate international relationships into meaningful educational experiences for students.
Bringing a Mission-Centered Perspective to the Global Conversation on AI
In addition to his meetings with prospective academic partners, Dr. Benitez was invited to speak at an international conference organized by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) in Ho Chi Minh City. His presentation, titled “AI Will Change How Universities Operate. Leaders Must Decide What Cannot Change: Keeping Mission at the Center of AI Ethical Transformation,” examined the implications of artificial intelligence for higher education and the responsibility of institutional leaders to guide its adoption thoughtfully and ethically.
The presentation emphasized the importance of keeping institutional mission, ethical responsibility, and enduring educational values at the center of technological transformation. As colleges and universities consider how AI will shape teaching, learning, research, and institutional operations, Dr. Benitez highlighted the need for leadership that balances innovation with a clear commitment to the purpose of higher education.
For Saint Peter’s, that perspective is rooted in its Jesuit Catholic tradition and its commitment to educating the whole person. The University’s approach to emerging technologies must account not only for what AI makes possible, but also for how those possibilities serve students, support educators, promote responsible decision-making, and advance the broader educational mission.
Dr. Benitez’s participation in the conference also provided an opportunity to contribute Saint Peter’s perspective to an international dialogue on the future of higher education, connecting the University’s mission-driven approach with conversations taking place among educational leaders around the world.
Advancing Saint Peter’s Global Engagement
The Vietnam visit underscores the value of building international relationships through collaboration among University leadership, trustees, and prospective academic partners. Taufield’s engagement illustrates how trustees can help advance institutional priorities by leveraging their professional relationships and opening doors to opportunities that might otherwise be difficult to establish.
As Saint Peter’s continues to explore partnerships in Southeast Asia and other regions, the focus remains on developing relationships with the potential to deliver substantive academic benefits. These efforts support the University’s broader commitment to expanding access to transformative educational experiences, preparing students for an interconnected world, and creating opportunities for faculty to engage with colleagues and ideas across national boundaries.
The preliminary agreements in Vietnam mark an important beginning. Through continued dialogue and collaboration, Saint Peter’s will explore how these relationships can develop into programs and experiences that enrich the University community while extending its mission internationally.
About Saint Peter’s University
Saint Peter’s University is a private Jesuit Catholic university in Jersey City, New Jersey, committed to academic excellence, service, and the education of the whole person. Guided by the Jesuit tradition, Saint Peter’s prepares students to lead lives of purpose, engage thoughtfully with the world, and contribute to their communities through knowledge, leadership, and service.