Educational institutions in Vietnam have been directed to implement English as a second language on campus, it has been announced, which could increase student mobility and international collaborations with the country. I was recently interviewed by The PIE News, an industry newsletter for professionals in international education, about a new initiative in Viet Nam involving the use … Continue reading English to be second language in Vietnam HE (The PIE News)
The PIE Insider: Viet Nam
Since many of the facts and figures in this Viet Nam update are outdated, below is my (more up-to-date) information, where necessary and available, including sources and some comments. MAA Youth Population Breakdown (2015): This up-to-date information is from the CIA World Factbook for Viet Nam. Adjusted National PCI (2014): The most up-to-date information from … Continue reading The PIE Insider: Viet Nam
Happy Planet Index: Viet Nam Ranks 5th Overall & 2nd in Asia Pacific
Vietnam ranks fifth in the Happy Planet Index results, and second in the Asia Pacific region. This Southeast Asian country, characterised by its mountains and tropical forests, has a strikingly low Ecological Footprint and economic output per head almost 24 times smaller than nearby Hong Kong. Vietnam is one of just three countries in the … Continue reading Happy Planet Index: Viet Nam Ranks 5th Overall & 2nd in Asia Pacific
Buyer beware – Advice for international students
Below is an excerpt from an article I wrote about a certain type of Vietnamese student who is interested in overseas study. It applies to students in other countries as well. Follow this link to read the 15 July 2016 University World News article in its entirety. A Vietnamese version was published last month in … Continue reading Buyer beware – Advice for international students
“Regulators Vote to Shut Down Nation’s Largest For-Profit Accrediting Agency”
The vote came after widespread criticism that the agency had provided inadequate oversight. Some good news for a change. "Inadequate oversight" is one way of putting it. This organization, which was entrusted with the sacred task of accrediting postsecondary institutions, abdicated its responsibility in a number of cases, pure and simple. Why is the Accrediting … Continue reading “Regulators Vote to Shut Down Nation’s Largest For-Profit Accrediting Agency”
Bob Kerrey & Fulbright University Viet Nam
Bob Kerrey’s appointment as chair of the board of trustees of Fulbright University Vietnam has raised questions due to Kerrey’s past war record, and risks tainting the whole project. “One simply cannot engage in barbarous action without becoming a barbarian... one cannot defend human values by calculated and unprovoked violence without doing mortal damage to … Continue reading Bob Kerrey & Fulbright University Viet Nam
“Extraordinary” Educational Achievements in Viet Nam
Vietnam’s achievements in primary and secondary education over the last two decades are extraordinary. Out of 65 countries, Vietnam ranked 17th in maths and 19th in reading – surpassing both the United States and the United Kingdom – in the 2012 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), the worldwide scholastic performance measure of the Organisation … Continue reading “Extraordinary” Educational Achievements in Viet Nam
“Hillary Clinton promises Green Card to STEM F-1 visa students who graduate with a Master’s/doctoral degree”
Now THAT'S a headline you don't see every day. (Follow this link to read the article from which it was taken.) While the current anti-immigrant, anti-foreign climate in the US is not ideal for these types of proposals, I'm pleased to see that this issue is (still) being discussed. The notion that certain international students … Continue reading “Hillary Clinton promises Green Card to STEM F-1 visa students who graduate with a Master’s/doctoral degree”
California South University: Fraud Alert!
Here's another less-than-stellar California-based institution of higher education. Note: "California South University" is not to be confused with "California Southern University", which has institutional accreditation by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC/regional) and the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC/national). As you can see on the 29.6.16 screenshots below, CSU makes two claims: 1) … Continue reading California South University: Fraud Alert!
“Making The Grades”
How one California university faked students’ scores, skated by immigration authorities — and made a fortune in the process. I derive absolutely no pleasure at all from saying "I told you so." (OK, maybe just a little.) This is an issue I have been talking and writing about for years. I think the only reason … Continue reading “Making The Grades”
An International Educator in Vietnam 
You must be logged in to post a comment.