In the spirit of comparative studies in general and comparative education in particular here is yet another example of what countries like Vietnam can learn from countries like the United States in terms of what road(s) not to take - with ap0logies to the American poet Robert Frost. The American work force has some of weakest mathematical … Continue reading Countries as Positive & Negative Role Models: The Link Between Education and the Economy
knowledge-based economy
It’s Hard To Find Good Help These Days…
A.K.A. Skilling Up Vietnam: Preparing The Workforce for A Modern Market Economy This is a chronic problem that receives ongoing and extensive coverage in the media here. Follow these links to read a recent article about this World Bank report and download all 138 pp. of it. Below is an infographic that pretty much sums it up.
98% of Vietnamese Students Prefer English!
According to the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET), 98% of all students want to learn English. While I knew that English was the most popular foreign language, I didn't realize it was THAT popular. This popularity, however, is a double-edged sword. While it makes it easier to focus resources on one area, it is exceedingly … Continue reading 98% of Vietnamese Students Prefer English!
Businesses criticize universities’ training quality
Tell us something we don't know. This is a perennial issue that should be addressed sooner rather than later. I can attest to the results of this survey as an observer of the education scene here and an employer in two different sectors. (The bold in the article excerpt is mine.) Keep in mind that this survey is specific to … Continue reading Businesses criticize universities’ training quality
“Vietnam battles with poor quality education”
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”
Over 100,000 Vietnamese Studied Overseas in 2012
Last year around this time, I wrote a post about about the 100,000+ Vietnamese students who studied in 49 countries and territories in 2011, according to the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET). 90% of them were self-financing. I conservatively estimated the investment in overseas study to be in the $1+ billion range. This year's report, released early … Continue reading Over 100,000 Vietnamese Studied Overseas in 2012
“50 percent of Vietnamese teachers regret their career decision”
This is one of the highlights of a survey conducted by the Vietnam Institute of Educational Sciences (VIES), a damning indictment of the working conditions of Vietnamese teachers. The survey of 526 teachers from 27 schools in five provinces asked primary, secondary (junior high) and high school teachers this question: Would you still choose to work as a teacher, if you could make … Continue reading “50 percent of Vietnamese teachers regret their career decision”
“The Sea of Learning Has No Shore”
No "information, insights or intrigue" in this post just a simple yet profound sentiment that has been expressed in different cultures throughout the ages. It's one I enjoy seeing and contemplating, so much so that this picture graces the walls of my office.
Vietnamese Students’ Love Affair with Business/Management
According to this information from the 2010/11 Open Doors international academic mobility report, 41.3% of all Vietnamese studying the US last year chose to study business/management, by far the highest percentage of any of the top sending countries. Engineering and math/computer science ranked 2nd and 3rd at 10.7% and 8.5%, respectively. Why do so many Vietnamese … Continue reading Vietnamese Students’ Love Affair with Business/Management
Winter 2012 Update: Vietnam’s Mixed Messages Sideline Foreign Investors
This winter 2012 update is from Vietnomics, a global sourcing consultancy that links US and Vietnamese investors and companies. Thanks, Jeff! Summary Vietnam begins 2012 at a crossroads and needs meaningful reforms to complete the transition to a market economy that it started a generation ago. At times, the country seems to be moving decisively toward … Continue reading Winter 2012 Update: Vietnam’s Mixed Messages Sideline Foreign Investors
An International Educator in Viet Nam 
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