Mì Hoành Thánh/Wonton Noodles

This is post isn't about education or politics.  It's about something on which most (all?) of us can agree, one of life's simple pleasures found in a bowl. In HCMC/Saigon there is a culinary oasis that specializes in one dish and variations on that theme:  wonton noodles.  It's a hole-in-the-wall place in District 1 that is … Continue reading Mì Hoành Thánh/Wonton Noodles

What’s in a Name?

As Vietnam celebrates the liberation/fall of Saigon 39 years ago today, 30 April, which signaled the end of the American War in Vietnam and the death knell of the southern part of that divided country known as the Republic of Vietnam, I thought you might be interested in knowing which city was the capital of South Vietnam, according to the  … Continue reading What’s in a Name?

Facebook Use Plateauing in Vietnam

As with economic growth, Facebook growth has its limits.  After phenomenal increases in recent years, it looks like Facebook (FB) use is beginning to plateau in Vietnam.  In a country with a population of 92 million and an Internet penetration rate of about 40%, it was inevitable that this segment of the social media market … Continue reading Facebook Use Plateauing in Vietnam

Sự thật về các chương trình giáo dục Mỹ tại Việt Nam

This article, entitled "The Truth About American Education Programs in Vietnam" (Một Thế Giới, 23 April 2014), reflects the growing sophistication about US higher education as a service sector export.  As I am fond of saying, the US exports some of the world's best and worst higher education.  The term "officially accredited" covers a broad spectrum … Continue reading Sự thật về các chương trình giáo dục Mỹ tại Việt Nam

Is (US) Higher Education Broken?

Reposted from Marguerite Dennis's blog.  The title may overstate the case somewhat but there are critical issues that must be addressed sooner rather than later.  In addition to the ones mentioned below, i.e., access, funding, cost, and student loan debt, all of which are interrelated, there is also retention and delayed graduation.  Of course, these are … Continue reading Is (US) Higher Education Broken?

2014 VietAbroader Summer Study Abroad Conferences

Below is a note I sent to US higher education colleagues about the summer VietAbroader Study Abroad Conferences. MAA I'm pleased to announce that the 2014 VietAbroader Conferences - Passing of the Torch will be held on Saturday, July 19th in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and Sunday, July 20th in Hanoi.  Follow this link … Continue reading 2014 VietAbroader Summer Study Abroad Conferences

Dawn of a New Day? US State Department Reaches Out to Agents in Vietnam

For the times they are a-changin'!  I (and quite a few others) recently received an email from the US Embassy-Hanoi that began thus: The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi presents its compliments to your company.  On February 22, 2014, the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi and the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh … Continue reading Dawn of a New Day? US State Department Reaches Out to Agents in Vietnam

US Burns Through All High-Skill Visas For 2015 In Less Than A Week

Give me your highly skilled, your well-educated, your ambitious, Your best and brightest yearning to climb the proverbial career ladder and in doing so meet the desperate needs of a de-skilling and graying society, The sons and daughters of the world's educated classes, immigrants and international students alike. Send these, the talented, the promising, the … Continue reading US Burns Through All High-Skill Visas For 2015 In Less Than A Week

U.S. Student Visa Update: Upward Trend Continues

According to the latest figures from the US Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs, a record 10,867 F-1 (student) visas were issued in Fiscal Year 2013, which ended on 30 September 2013.  That represents a 5%  increase over FY2012.  As you see from the chart below, the take-off phase, which reflects the rapidly expanding … Continue reading U.S. Student Visa Update: Upward Trend Continues

Creating and Maintaining Productive and Effective Partnerships

This was my first presentation in absentia.  I was scheduled to present at the 2014 CCID Conference in late February about Creating and Maintaining Productive and Effective Partnerships for community colleges, along with my distinguished colleagues, but wasn't able to attend.  Below is the abstract and list of presenters.  Follow this link to download a … Continue reading Creating and Maintaining Productive and Effective Partnerships