Vietnamese documentary to highlight partnership with Chancellor Hawkins

by Caleb Thomas

Troy University is set to hit the big screen in a Vietnamese documentary showcasing the partnership between Troy and Duy Tan University in Danang, Vietnam. 

The documentary, focusing on the relationship and the universities’ respective leaders, Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr. and Lê Công Co, is in the works and should be completed within a few months, according to Troy Today’s interview with Dr. Hang Le, Vice Provost of Duy Tan. 

It’s an unlikely partnership – Hawkins and Lê fought on opposing sides of the Vietnam War. Duy Tan University looks to capture the exceptional story in their documentary. 

“It’s a remarkable story of a pivotal time in world history,” Hawkins said. “When I left the Vietnam War in 1969, I never envisioned one day I would become friends with the enemy known as the Viet Cong. 

“I’m confident that Prof. Lê Công Co, a Viet Cong soldier, had similar feelings about U.S. Marines with whom he had done battle.”

While the documentary will primarily focus on the relationship the two universities have, it represents a much larger picture, according to Hawkins. 

“At its essence, the documentary will look at the war from two distinct perspectives and then bring the narrative forward to the present day and highlight the spirit of reconciliation the TROY-Duy Tan partnership represents,”  Hawkins said. 

“Our partnerships in Vietnam are a testament to the power of relationships, and through partnerships like ours, these two nations that were once at war have come to understand each other better, and understanding leads to appreciation.” 

Troy University’s history with international institutions runs deep. Duy Tan University is Troy’s fourth partner institution in Vietnam. It’s first programs with universities in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City date back to 2002. 

“Vietnam was a natural progression of our work overseas,” Hawkins said. “Troy University’s international partnerships started at military bases throughout Europe, but with the changes that came with the fall of the Berlin Wall, we set our sights on Asia.”

Hawkins cites the potential for the documentary as an example of Troy University’s international focus, something the school has become well known for. 

“I believe other universities across Southeast Asia — and not just in Vietnam — will view this documentary and get a sense of Troy University’s international commitment,”  Hawkins said. “We are not participating in the documentary to identify new partners, but if new relationships emerge as a result of the project, we would certainly be open to discuss expanding our footprint in the region.”