Former fellows are usually long back at their workplaces when graduation ceremonies come around, sometimes a year after their courses conclude. As a result, few get to wear the cap and gown. However, for a group of IDEAS fellows from Vietnam, the UCD ceremony came to them - in Hanoi.

In December 2012, a delegation from Ireland visited the Vietnamese capital on an education services mission, led by Minister of State for Training and Skills, Ciarán Cannon T.D.  As part of the programme, the Embassy hosted conferring at which  successful fellows from 2011-12 were presented with their Masters’ awards. It was the first time that this prestigeous event had been held in Vietnam.