Dr. Vo Thi Kim Anh, Acting Dean of the Faculty of English at the University of Foreign Language Studies – The University of Danang, is set to embark on a short-term working trip as a visiting scholar at Indiana University, Bloomington as part of the USAID Partnership for Higher Education Reform’s Visiting Scholar Program. Dr. Kim Anh will engage in activities aimed at enhancing her research and fostering university cooperation. Her primary research interests include language and culture teaching methodologies, testing and assessment in education, and Information & Communications Technology applications in language teaching.

Dr. Kim Anh’s research, titled “International Internship: Current Trend for Skill Development and Culture Exchange” aims to identify skills for employability students will acquire, evaluate the effectiveness of international internships, and explore cultural aspects that can be enhanced during these internships. The findings from her research will provide significant contributions to the field of language and culture studies, offering practical implications for curriculum designers, researchers, and policymakers.

During her exchange term from October to November 2024 at the School of Education – Indiana University, Dr. Kim Anh plans to connect with scholars working in her areas to share experiences and knowledge. She will attend seminars, workshops, and meetings on research methodologies, language teaching, and intercultural communication for networking and sharing her research findings. Her goal is to produce a manuscript to be submitted to a Scopus-indexed journal by the end of her term.

Beyond her research, Dr. Kim Anh aims to promote cooperation between the University of Danang and Indiana University. As an Acting Dean, she recognizes the importance of contributing to the development of both her faculty and university in general. Sharing about the mission to enhance research collaboration and academic exchange between the two universities, Dr. Kim Anh plans to “proactively connect with colleagues and experts in the same areas from both countries, participate in international conferences, seminars, or specialized research groups to expand collaboration and knowledge exchange network, as well as increasing opportunities to form joint research projects between two universities.”

After the visiting scholar period, Dr. Kim Anh will apply the knowledge and skills gained to finalize her current research and implement international internship programs effectively. She will share her expertise through seminars and workshops at the University of Danang, contributing to the professional development of her colleagues and students. Dr. Kim Anh’s participation in the PHER Visiting Scholar Program is expected to establish long-lasting connections between academics in Vietnam and the United States, fostering global academic collaborations and advancing the field of education.

The Visiting Scholar Program (VSP) under the USAID Partnership for Higher Education Reform project supports scholars from (1) Vietnam National University, (2) the University of Danang, and (3) Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh City. The goal is to improve the research and teaching capacity of scholars across Vietnam while expanding strategic partnerships with higher education institutions in the United States. In the Summer and Fall of 2024, the VSP will send a total of 21 scholars from Vietnam’s three major public university systems to host institutions in the United States for academic research and exchange experiences.