1. Abstract:

Vietnam is a country in the midst of development – both in social and economic terms.  As a newcomer to the World Trade Organization in 2007, Vietnam has a great opportunity to push its growth tremendously in the coming years in ways that can benefit the people.  Vietnam has great potential – about 60% of the population is under 30 years old [Vietnam population in 2006 is 84 million, according UNDP in Vietnam] and many leading companies in the world, such as Intel, GE, Samsung and Ford Motors, are opening operations in Vietnam. In order to direct this potential in constructive ways, Vietnam will need highly educated and trained professionals and researchers. Education is thus a high priority for the country.

In 2000, IVCE launched a "Study Abroad in America" program to help students in Vietnam pursue higher education abroad. Our goal is to provide information about admission and scholarships in the U.S. We also aim to provide students with tools to improve their chances of gaining admission and securing financial aid. We run this conference series every summer since 2002 in major colleges in Vietnam: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, International University – VNU, Nha Trang University, Da Nang Institute of Technology, Hue University, Can Tho University, and Thai Nguyen University. 

IVCE has a long-term goal of serving 30 to 50 thousand Vietnamese students within ten years (2005-2015). To achieve this goal, IVCE has conducted 28 study-abroad seminars since 2002 and has offered individual assistance with application materials.

2. The purpose of VED

IVCE seeks to establish a new initiative - the Vietnam Education Development (VED) project - to build a network of Vietnamese, Vietnamese-American and American scholars, researchers and professionals to cultivate ideas, exchange information, and identify research and/or educational opportunities in both Vietnam and the United States.

IVCE believes that VED can further enhance the foundation of Vietnamese education.

3. How VED works

If you are a professional or an academic with a post-baccalaureate degree, we urge you to connect with us and be a part of this exciting network.  Join VED:

• To connect with Vietnamese professionals and academics.  Whether you are looking for business opportunities or a chance to do field research in Vietnam, this network can help you to identity appropriate resources.

• To conduct seminars or teach classes short-term or long-term at colleges in Vietnam.  VED members provide all expenses for their trips. The specific Vietnamese colleges will provide guest housing.

• To advise Vietnamese graduate students pursuing MS, PhD or professional degrees in specific fields of study at U.S. universities.  IVCE will post the name of VED members with their specialties on a protected portion of the website, giving members access to contact information for their counterparts in either country.

• To identify and post research opportunities at U.S academic institutions and companies. IVCE will list all opportunities on its website, which VED members can contribute to.

Please contact us at nhipsong@ivce.org to sign up with your contact information and professional degree.  Also, feel free to visit our website www.ivce.org to learn more about our organization and work.