Building a More Inclusive Future – Starting at UNIS Hanoi

This week, we’re proud to share a story that exemplifies the spirit of our School: community-led, future-focused, and committed to making a difference beyond our campus.

Thanks to a Learning Together Grant submitted by long-time UNIS Hanoi parents Dr Ton van der Velden and Sarah Garner, a high-quality professional development course in inclusive education has now been made available in Vietnamese for the very first time.

Developed by SENIA (Special Education Network and Inclusion Association), the Foundations Course was translated over the past six months by three UNIS Hanoi colleagues. The course has since been completed by 20 of our Teaching Assistants, with 13 now qualified as certified facilitators—ready to share this learning with educators across Vietnam.

This work was led by Elementary Principal Megan Brazil and EY -12 Inclusion Coordinator Kim Davis, and empowered through a Learning Together Fund grant funded by GALTI and provided by the Advancement Office. It’s inspiring to see this project moving forward and it is a testament to the power of community, partnership and philanthropic giving.

This initiative is rooted in the passion and dedication of Sarah and Ton. As a former Board Chair and founder of our Neurodiverse Families group, Sarah has been a driving force for inclusion at UNIS Hanoi for nearly two decades. Her efforts were recognised globally when she received SENIA’s World Changer Award in 2024. Ton, meanwhile, has spent years working in Vietnam’s public health sector, advocating for awareness and support for neurodiverse learners.

The project represents a meaningful step forward in strengthening inclusive practice at UNIS Hanoi while seeding sustainable, local capacity to support neurodiverse students across the country.

We’re incredibly proud of our Teaching Assistants who stepped forward to take part in this pilot. Their commitment to growth—and to creating welcoming classrooms for all—embodies the values of our School and the impact we can have when we work together.