A number of agreements are to be signed to increase ties between Irish, South Korean and Vietnamese universities.
Education Minister Richard Bruton is on a six day trip to South Korea and Vietnam.
The visit will include the signing of new bilateral agreements between Irish institutions and South Korean and Vietnamese universities.
He will also address 6th Asia Europe Ministers (ASEM) Education Meeting.
Mr Bruton will be in South Korea from November 20th until 23rd, and depart for Vietnam until November 25th.
He will meet with a number of key partners during the trip, and take part in a number of strategic meetings aimed at improving links between Irish and South Korean and Vietnamese institutions.
Mr Bruton will oversee the signing of three bilateral agreements between Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) and three South Korean universities: Hanyang University, Kyungpook National University and Soongsil University.
These agreements will allow student and staff exchanges over the next five years.
Minister Bruton will also meet key partners for leading Irish English language training providers.
The UCD campus in Dublin | File photo
In Vietnam, he will attend a ceremonial exchange between UCC, UCD and Vietnam National University under the Vietnam Ireland Bilateral Exchange (VIBE) programme - funded through Irish Aid.
Here, Mr Bruton will witness the signing of two Memorandums of Understanding: one between Trinity College Dublin and Vietnam National University, and another between the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City and ICDL Asia.
The minister will also meet several dignitaries - including the South Korean prime minister, education minister and Vietnam's minister for education and foreign affairs minsiter.
Speaking before departing, Minister Bruton said: "I am looking forward to increasing opportunities for Irish students to travel to Vietnamese and South Korean higher level institutions, by strengthening and building partnerships with institutions in these countries.
"I will also be encouraging more Korean students to travel to and study in Ireland. By building these bilateral relationships, we can ensure mutual benefit for both the institutions and students alike".