Author: Mark A. Ashwill

FSO Michael T. Sestak Pleads Guilty in Visa Fraud-Bribery Case, Faces 19-24 Years in Prison

Mark A. Ashwill Reblog, Updates , , ,

Reposted from – Domani Spero On November 6, USDOJ announced that Michael T. Sestak, the former Nonimmigrant Visa Section Chief at the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City had pleaded guilty to “receiving more than $3 million in bribes” in exchange for U.S. visas.  The Government alleged that the visa scheme had netted … Continue reading FSO Michael T. Sestak Pleads Guilty in Visa Fraud-Bribery Case, Faces 19-24 Years in Prison

U.S. Higher Education Admissions: Something for Everyone (?)

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary, Workshop , , ,

I was recently invited to speak to a group of admissions colleagues from Vietnam National University (VNU)-Hanoi in a workshop entitled “Dossier Evaluation and Interviews in Competence-Based University Admissions," organized by that institution's Institute for Education Quality Assurance in Kim Boi, Hoa Binh. During two morning sessions, I discussed some distinguishing features of U.S. higher education, including size and … Continue reading U.S. Higher Education Admissions: Something for Everyone (?)

Vietnam should teach kindness to children

Mark A. Ashwill Articles, Commentary, Interview , , ,

This is an interview I recently did with Tuổi Trẻ.  Note:  The title is from the editor. Editor’s Note: Mark Ashwill is the managing director and founder of Capstone Vietnam, a human resource development company that provides education and training solutions. He was the country director of the Institute of International Education in Vietnam from 2005 to … Continue reading Vietnam should teach kindness to children

Two Universities Request Permission to Charge $5,000 for Tuition

Mark A. Ashwill Articles, Commentary , , , ,

As everyone knows, establishing and maintaining a quality university does not come cheap.  The Vietnamese-Germany University, which is an example of cooperation between the Vietnamese and German governments (i.e., the state of Hessen), was established in September 2009 in HCMC with total investment capital of $177.14 million, 90% of which is from foreign loans.  The University of Science … Continue reading Two Universities Request Permission to Charge $5,000 for Tuition

“Vietnam battles with poor quality education”

Mark A. Ashwill Articles, Conferences , ,

Viet Nam's education system is grappling with substandard training and dire shortage of teachers, according to a conference held in Ha Noi last week. This lead-off sentence in a 29 August article about the state of Vietnam's educational system pretty much sums it up, as another new school year begins.  Pham Do Nhat Tien, former assistant to the … Continue reading “Vietnam battles with poor quality education”

Guest Post: A U.S. Colleague’s Perspective on Vietnamese Students

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , ,

I’ve been involved in international education for a long time, having lived and worked in both the U.S. and overseas. I love what I do. I get to travel the world, meet wonderful students, supportive parents, and dedicated colleagues who are also interested in international education. In all of my years of travel, however, I had never … Continue reading Guest Post: A U.S. Colleague’s Perspective on Vietnamese Students

U.S. Commercial Service Weighs In On In-Country Representation

Mark A. Ashwill Reports, Updates , , , , , ,

In its latest Vietnam Market Education and Training update (PDF, June 2013) the U.S. Commercial Service includes among strategies that "have proven effective in marketing education services to Vietnam" this one: Appoint a Representative Local representation is essential for the success of any American schools in the Vietnamese market. Local students and parents tend to depend on … Continue reading U.S. Commercial Service Weighs In On In-Country Representation