Agreement Brings Vietnam Scholars to Wyoming |
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May 20, 2005 -- Top scholars from Vietnam will enter the University of Wyoming for graduate training in science and technology as a result of a new agreement between UW and the Vietnam Education Foundation (VEF). The agreement will take effect immediately to accommodate VEF Fellows beginning this fall.
VEF (www.vef.gov) is a special initiative by the U.S. Congress to bring the United States and Vietnam closer through educational exchanges, says Ken Pham, VEF executive director. He says the foundation, in its second year of operation, receives the full support of the U.S. national academies in selecting fellows.
Currently, VEF has more than 100 Fellows at 37 top U.S. graduate institutions, mostly for doctoral degrees. All VEF Fellows are required to return to Vietnam after completing their academic programs in the United States.
"This agreement marks the beginning of a new era for Vietnam to send its best and brightest to UW for graduate education," says Don Roth, UW Graduate School dean. "These VEF Fellows will contribute to the university's research and teaching missions and then return to become leaders in science and education in Vietnam. I look forward to a mutually beneficial association for many decades to come."
A current UW student from Vietnam, Vu T. Tung, says he will encourage students in his country to attend UW. Tung chose to apply to UW after searching the Internet and finding that a UW civil engineering professor, John Turner, was a recognized leader in the field.
"At Wyoming, we have a very friendly academic environment," says Tung, a master's degree student in civil engineering. "The small class sizes promote learning, and the professors stimulate students to think critically."
Pham adds, "The alliance is a select group of leading universities in the United States that share VEF's mission. Together we will help transform science and technology in Vietnam, and in that process, serve as enduring bridges between the two countries."
Posted on Friday, May 20, 2005
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