I was recently invited to speak to a group of admissions colleagues from Vietnam National University (VNU)-Hanoi in a workshop entitled “Dossier Evaluation and Interviews in Competence-Based University Admissions," organized by that institution's Institute for Education Quality Assurance in Kim Boi, Hoa Binh. During two morning sessions, I discussed some distinguishing features of U.S. higher education, including size and … Continue reading U.S. Higher Education Admissions: Something for Everyone (?)
vietnam development
Vietnam should teach kindness to children
This is an interview I recently did with Tuổi Trẻ. Note: The title is from the editor. Editor’s Note: Mark Ashwill is the managing director and founder of Capstone Vietnam, a human resource development company that provides education and training solutions. He was the country director of the Institute of International Education in Vietnam from 2005 to … Continue reading Vietnam should teach kindness to children
Two Universities Request Permission to Charge $5,000 for Tuition
As everyone knows, establishing and maintaining a quality university does not come cheap. The Vietnamese-Germany University, which is an example of cooperation between the Vietnamese and German governments (i.e., the state of Hessen), was established in September 2009 in HCMC with total investment capital of $177.14 million, 90% of which is from foreign loans. The University of Science … Continue reading Two Universities Request Permission to Charge $5,000 for Tuition
“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”
Part II of The Trials & Tribulations of Proselytizing in the “Lost World” of Vietnam
These are not run-of-the-mill, live and let live Christians – they are evangelical Protestants, fundamentalists who believe - literally - what Jesus said: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” And, more significantly, who act accordingly. Nonbelievers, who, in their opinion, encompass most of humanity, including Yours truly (I’m neither a fundamentalist … Continue reading Part II of The Trials & Tribulations of Proselytizing in the “Lost World” of Vietnam
Southern Baptists Bearing Gifts? The Trials & Tribulations of Proselytizing in Vietnam
Coming Back - Not only to work and otherwise continue their lives but to convert the heathens to Christianity. Exhibit A, this post of the same name (my bold) about a young Vietnamese woman who earned a Master’s degree and accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior in Australia. Ly just returned to Vietnam after two years … Continue reading Southern Baptists Bearing Gifts? The Trials & Tribulations of Proselytizing in Vietnam
“Vietnam: Graduate unemployment and ‘over-education’ rising” by Hiep Pham
Reposted from the 13 July 2013 edition of University World News. As a new batch of graduates emerged from Vietnam’s universities in recent weeks, the country was facing twin problems of increasing unemployment among young people and a phenomenon of ‘over-education’ – graduates who fail to find jobs that use their skills. By October last … Continue reading “Vietnam: Graduate unemployment and ‘over-education’ rising” by Hiep Pham
Hail, the Street Cleaners!
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve observed – with great interest, admiration and respect - street cleaners doing their thing: picking up, sweeping, and hauling the refuse du jour away in their little carts, thereby restoring a measure of order and cleanliness to what are usually very messy days. The World Is Your Trash Can? … Continue reading Hail, the Street Cleaners!
Vietnam Happier Than The U.S.? Morning Ramblings
Here’s a recent exchange on a Vietnam-related listserv of which I’m a member: Act I: US-Based Vietnam Scholar (DF) Perhaps you have seen the feature in Time this week on happiness, which notes that in the (2012) World Happiness Report (PDF), published by the Earth Institute of Columbia University, the US ranks 23rd out of 50 countries, … Continue reading Vietnam Happier Than The U.S.? Morning Ramblings
Vietnam and the 2013 Intel Science & Engineering Fair
I recently had the opportunity to work with a group of academically talented 10th graders from Chu Van An High School, one of five magnet schools in Hanoi, who were preparing for participation in the 2013 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) from 12-17 May in Phoenix, AZ. Vietnam sent five teams to the fair, including four … Continue reading Vietnam and the 2013 Intel Science & Engineering Fair
An International Educator in Vietnam 
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