Articles

Fulbright University Vietnam Board Member Shows His True Colors

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It may seem, at first blush, an unlikely connection: Leon Botstein, the president of Bard, one of the country’s most progressive colleges, and Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced billionaire accused of sexually abusing teenage girls. Leon Botstein has led Bard College for nearly five decades. Credit: Richard Beaven for The New York Times Leon Botstein (LB), … Continue reading Fulbright University Vietnam Board Member Shows His True Colors

“When HE internationalisation operates as an industry”

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There is a facade of higher education internationalisation that paints an idealistic picture of providing students with a global experience, stressing collaboration in research and strengthening ties among universities worldwide. Image: iStock This spot-on article by Philip G. Altbach and Hans de Wit asserts that internationalization primarily refers to revenue generation through international student recruitment. … Continue reading “When HE internationalisation operates as an industry”

Isn’t it time to shut down the fake credentials industry?

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Source: Same Day Diplomas Below are a famous Alexis de Tocqueville quote to kick off my latest University World News essay and the first three paragraphs. (My original title was Fake Education Credentials: Wink, Nod, Buy & Sell, which was probably changed for legal reasons.) If you're intrigued, read the article in its entirety. In … Continue reading Isn’t it time to shut down the fake credentials industry?

Militancy for an Existential Cause: Environmental Protection in Vietnam

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Photo taken at the Golf Valley lagoon, which drains into Xuan Huong Lake. Credit: Paul Olivier Here's my latest essay for CounterPunch. Check out the first two paragraphs and follow the preceding link if you wish to read the article in its entirety. While most people use Facebook, the third most popular website in Vietnam, … Continue reading Militancy for an Existential Cause: Environmental Protection in Vietnam

Tết: Climax of a Long Holiday Season

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Happy Year of the Cat! Below is the English version of my latest essay for VNExpress Kỳ nghỉ siêu dài, published on 22.1.23, Lunar New Year's Day. It's a continuation and elaboration of this 12-21 article for VNExpress International about Christmas as the beginning of a long holiday season in Vietnam. Shalom (שלום), MAA One of … Continue reading Tết: Climax of a Long Holiday Season

Giving childhood back to our children

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Two boys play in a river in Kon Tum Province in Vietnam's Central Highlands in 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Ngoc Thai Give childhood back to our children: If we want our offspring to have happy, productive and moral lives, we must allow more time for play, not less. -Peter Gray, U.S. psychology researcher and scholar, … Continue reading Giving childhood back to our children

The Man Who Exposed the Truth About the Tiger Cages: Donald Sanders Luce (1934-2022)

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This image courtesy of the Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) War Remnants Museum (Bảo tàng Chứng tích Chiến tranh) Facebook page. I felt compelled to write what ended up being a nearly 5,000-word essay about Don Luce and his life. After I heard about Don's passing via a LinkedIn post by Jim Laurie, I thought … Continue reading The Man Who Exposed the Truth About the Tiger Cages: Donald Sanders Luce (1934-2022)

“Driven to praise, driving me nuts: a US-Vietnam traffic comparison”

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Traffic on Nguyen Trai Street in Hanoi's Dong Da District, August 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh This is my latest essay for VNExpress International. A Vietnamese version Lái xe ở Việt Nam (Driving in Vietnam) was published on 22.11.22 with over 200 comments, most in agreement with me. The original title for the English version … Continue reading “Driven to praise, driving me nuts: a US-Vietnam traffic comparison”

Beyond the hype, a dirty side of Da Lat

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Trash is left at Lam Vien Square in the heart of Da Lat. Photo by Paul Olivier I was pleased to see VNExpress International publish this article by Paul Olivier. The dire situation that he describes applies to many cities and towns throughout Vietnam. Be sure to have a look at the comments. Paul criticizes … Continue reading Beyond the hype, a dirty side of Da Lat