Countries as Positive & Negative Role Models: The Link Between Education and the Economy

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

“Revitalizing Vietnam’s Economic Miracle”

Last month, I was invited to speak to a group of U.S. students who are participating in a fall study abroad program that begins in HCMC and spends the remainder of the semester in Hanoi.  My assigned topic was Revitalizing Vietnam’s Economic Miracle.  After a brief refresher on Vietnam in the recent past, I took them on a … Continue reading “Revitalizing Vietnam’s Economic Miracle”

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

Guest Post: A U.S. Colleague’s Perspective on Vietnamese Students

I’ve been involved in international education for a long time, having lived and worked in both the U.S. and overseas. I love what I do. I get to travel the world, meet wonderful students, supportive parents, and dedicated colleagues who are also interested in international education. In all of my years of travel, however, I had never … Continue reading Guest Post: A U.S. Colleague’s Perspective on Vietnamese Students

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

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: Trends in International and Domestic Education (repost)

By Nick Clark, Editor, World Education News & Reviews Vietnam is currently one of the fastest growing sources of international students for U.S. institutions of higher education, according to data from the Institute for International Education. In academic year 2011/12, Vietnam was the eighth largest sender of tertiary students to the United States, behind Japan … Continue reading Vietnam: Trends in International and Domestic Education (repost)