“Why do Vietnamese students refuse to return home after studying abroad?”

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , ,

If only the world were that simple.  Fortunately, in this case, it's not.  Many remain overseas for various reasons, mostly related to career opportunities and earnings potential.  Some fall in love and end up marrying a host country national while others choose to study in a field that is either at an early stage of … Continue reading “Why do Vietnamese students refuse to return home after studying abroad?”

“Advanced degrees not a guarantee of employment in Vietnam”

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , ,

Vietnam had 10.7 million trained workers (who have short-term training certificates, finish intermediate school, junior college and have bachelor’s and master’s degrees) which accounted for 20 percent of the labor force. Of these, 4.47 million have a higher education level. Like many other countries, including the US, Vietnam is afflicted with the disease of credentialism.  … Continue reading “Advanced degrees not a guarantee of employment in Vietnam”

Mapping SEVIS By the Numbers

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary, Updates ,

This interactive map would be a great resource if it were accurate.  According to the August 2015 SEVIS by the Numbers update, there were 24,288 Vietnamese students in the US at all levels, i.e., secondary and postsecondary, but mainly the latter.  I seriously doubt that the number plummeted to 11,378 active students in one month. … Continue reading Mapping SEVIS By the Numbers

Open Doors 2015: More Double-Digit Increases for Vietnam!

Mark A. Ashwill Reports , , ,

Yes, dear readers, it's that time of year again - time for Open Doors 2015!  For the uninitiated - the Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange is an annual international academic mobility report published by the Institute of International Education with a grant from the US State Department. Below is a list of top … Continue reading Open Doors 2015: More Double-Digit Increases for Vietnam!

Vietnam Ranks 29th in Annual EF English Proficiency Index & 5th in Asia

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary, Survey , , , , , , ,

Here's some more good news for Vietnam and colleagues from English-speaking countries who recruit here at the secondary and postsecondary levels.  According to the results of the EF (Education First) Proficiency Index, which profiles 70 countries, including 15 in Asia, Vietnam ranks 29th with "moderate proficiency" in English.  Last year, it ranked 33rd out of … Continue reading Vietnam Ranks 29th in Annual EF English Proficiency Index & 5th in Asia

“TPP: Americans and Vietnamese lose. Big corporations win.”

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary, Documents , , , ,

The title of this post and the bilingual document on which it's based, drafted by Chuck Searcy and Lady Borton, pretty much sums it up.  Chuck is a Vietnam veteran; Lady worked with all sides during the war. Both have worked in Vietnam since before normalization of US-Vietnam diplomatic relations 20 years ago.  Follow this … Continue reading “TPP: Americans and Vietnamese lose. Big corporations win.”

“Reconsider” – Of Startups, Making a Dent in the Universe & Living Happily Ever After

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary, Speech , ,

Below are some excerpts from a speech given at Web Summit 2015 in Dublin by David Heinemeier Hansson, spot-on advice for the dynamic and vibrant startup community in Vietnam.  Hansson describes himself on his personal website as "the creator of Ruby on Rails, founder & CTO at Basecamp (formerly 37signals), best-selling author, Le Mans class-winning … Continue reading “Reconsider” – Of Startups, Making a Dent in the Universe & Living Happily Ever After