Some of you may recall that I posted a list of unaccredited US-based/affiliated higher education providers in early July. The purpose of the list is simple: to educate "consumers" of US and other foreign higher education so that they can make an informed decision about the value of the education and training being offered. (I did … Continue reading What A Difference a Month Can Make: Rogue Providers & the Power of the Press
Articles
“US education co-operation brings positive changes”
A good interview with Steve Maxner, chairman of the board of directors of the Vietnam Education Foundation (VEF), which appeared in the 19 July 2010 issue of the English language daily, Viet Nam News. (Dr. Maxner is also director of the Vietnam Center at Texas Tech University.) A little-known fact about the origins of the … Continue reading “US education co-operation brings positive changes”
Beware of Accreditation Mills
Some unaccredited universities and colleges, including a few that enroll Vietnamese students, claim to be accredited. This is an attempt to persuade prospective students that they are legitimate, thereby increasing their enrollment and revenue. One example is Atlantic International University (AIU) in Hawaii, which states on its website that it is "accredited" by Accrediting Commission International (ACI). In … Continue reading Beware of Accreditation Mills
“More Vietnamese students to be gifted by 2020”
This is one of my favorite recent headlines in the English language media here. Is it something in the water? A more liberal definition of "gifted"? At any rate, the plan is to build at least one high school for gifted students in each city/province with the goal of placing about 2% of high school students … Continue reading “More Vietnamese students to be gifted by 2020”
Vietnam Ranks Among Top 20 Countries on the Internet
According to Pingdom, a Swedish company whose "focus lies on covering the uptime monitoring needs of 90% of the companies in the world," there are a total of 1.8 billion Internet users in the world (i.e., about 27% of the human race). Vietnam ranks 20th just behind Canada. 24.3 million Vietnamese are connected to the Internet, which … Continue reading Vietnam Ranks Among Top 20 Countries on the Internet
“Vietnamese teens’ thirst for college outpaces country’s educational system”
Stories like this one, poignant and inspirational, abound in Vietnam, especially during the annual rite of passage that is the university entrance examination. As the article points out, the demand for postsecondary education far outstrips supply and graduation is much easier than admission. To take the most important test of her life, Le Thi Hoai Thuong, 18, traveled 38 … Continue reading “Vietnamese teens’ thirst for college outpaces country’s educational system”
“Vietnam Stats Show Remarkable Progress”
Well, yes and no... Positives: advances in health and education + cash income; increase in average living space from 9.2 m2 to 16.9 m2; literacy is now 94%, "almost universal among younger groups and there is little difference between urban and rural;" increase in life expectancy to 72.8 years ("largest gains among women," not surprisingly); 1.2% … Continue reading “Vietnam Stats Show Remarkable Progress”
Positioning Vietnam: today determines tomorrow
A short and sweet overview by Vu Minh Khuong, Assistant Professor of Economics at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, of three strengths (geographic, strategic, and demographic advantages, political stability, and human capital) and three "fundamental weaknesses" (lack of commitment to "unleashing the full impact of market forces," inadequate attention paid to good … Continue reading Positioning Vietnam: today determines tomorrow
“Get a Ph.D. in America Without Knowing English!”
This is the title of a June 16th article about U.S.-based rogue providers (unaccredited schools) operating in Vietnam (Làm tiến sĩ ở Mỹ nhưng không biết tiếng Anh!). The English translation of the article, entitled Director Questioned About Dubious US Doctoral Degree, was published on 6/23 by VietnamNet. The "university" in question is Southern Pacific University, which … Continue reading “Get a Ph.D. in America Without Knowing English!”
“Consumers driving Vietnam into ‘golden age'”
Vietnam's major exports include its famed coffee beans and minor ones like tea, but from scooter maker Piaggio to prominent local businessmen, investors are making their biggest bets on the Vietnamese consumer. At the heart of this gamble is a demographic shift in Vietnam that could mirror the economic transformation of mid-sized countries such as … Continue reading “Consumers driving Vietnam into ‘golden age'”
You must be logged in to post a comment.