Twenty faculty members from Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU), the University of Danang (UD), and the Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City (VNUHCM) visited 17 prestigious higher education institutions across the United States, collaborating with researchers in seven key areas: Information Technology; Health Sciences; Economics, Business, and Public Policy; Advanced Materials; Anthropology and Cultural Studies; Climate and Environment; and Education. Through the program, the USAID Partnership for Higher Education Reform project enhances research capacity, promotes international collaboration, and builds potential partnerships between three major Vietnamese universities and educational institutions in the United States.
To fulfill the mission of strengthening the capacity of the Vietnamese higher education system, developing a high-quality education that meets the needs of today’s labor market, in 2024 the Partnership for Higher Education Reform Project launched the Visiting Scholar Program (VSP) to enhance research capacity, promote international cooperation, and build sustainable partnerships between Vietnamese and US educational institutions. This past December, the exchange terms of 20 scholars in the United States ended with valuable research, teaching experiences, and academic connections.
Enhance Research Capacity
The program has opened up opportunities for scholars to collaborate with colleagues in the United States, continue their studies as well as update new research directions. Scholar Nguyen Thanh Luan, an emerging lecturer at the University of Information Technology – VNUHCM, said: “I have some ongoing research at VNUHCM. However, while at Michigan State University, I was able to participate in the research lab on artificial intelligence and natural language processing. With the guidance of my mentor, I decided to initiate a new study on using artificial intelligence to preserve and restore endangered languages, which intersects my current topics and the professor’s research direction.”
Scholar Nguyen Thanh Luan presenting at a meeting at his Lab on natural language processing, machine learning and visual language at Michigan State University
For scholars who continued their ongoing research from Vietnam, the Visiting Scholar Program helped them gain access to advanced information sources, frameworks and research methods. Conducting a research project on the history of colonial cities in Southeast Asia from the 16th to the 19th century, scholar Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet – lecturer at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities – VNU, shared, “I have accessed many resources from the school library, local libraries and museums, from which I have collected many important documents to develop my research framework.”
Not only continuing their research projects, the scholars had the opportunity to learn more about the research management and support systems at a university in the United States. According to Associate Professor Dr. Ho Viet Thang, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Chemical Engineering, University of Science and Technology – UD, during the three-month visiting term, he learned about the online processes to help minimize paperwork and the research support system at Indiana University.
Dr. Ho Viet Thang (third standing from left) giving a guest seminar at Indiana University
Through access to advanced knowledge, modern research methods, management and support systems, then sharing them with colleagues in Vietnam, VSP scholars play a role in building capacity and promoting the development of academic research at their universities and research institutes in Vietnam.
Acquiring practical perspectives
In addition to research, the Visiting Scholar Program provides opportunities for scholars to observe and learn about teaching methods at higher education institutions in the United States. Through auditing a number of classes, Dr. Le Thanh Huyen and Dr. Nguyen Huu Nhat Minh, two emerging lecturers at the University of Education – VNU and the Vietnam – Korea University of Information and Communication Technology – UD, expressed their impression with the lively classes where students actively discussed and asked questions. These observations provided the lecturers with inspiration as well as ideas to promote exchanges and interactions in classrooms in Vietnam.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Tung Lam, Head of the Finance Department, University of Economics – UD, had the experience of observing two classes he had been familiar with and taught for more than twenty years. “I learned a different approach to the subject matter from American professors and will find ways to apply it to my context” – said Dr. Lam. From highly interactive classes to new approaches to problems, scholars brought back new ideas to enrich their teaching methods and create valuable experiences for students.
Scholar Nguyen Phuoc Vinh with his mentor at Harvard Medical School
In addition, scholars in the field of Health Sciences had the opportunity to participate in clinical activities. Scholar Phan Hong Long, lecturer at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy – VNU, was able to visit and work at Raleigh Children’s Hospital and several neighboring hospitals. Thereby, scholar Long participated in examining patients, post-op monitoring, and attending weekly sharing sessions on difficult cases. Meanwhile, Pharmacist Dr. Nguyen Phuoc Vinh – Deputy Dean of Pharmaceutics & Pharmaceutical Industry Department, University of Health Sciences – VNUHCM learned how Harvard Medical School implemented interprofessional education in health sciences to apply at his Department.
Promoting Global Connections and Innovation
The Visiting Scholar Program has provided opportunities to develop a network of connections between scientists in Vietnam and abroad. Through experiences at educational institutions in the United States as well as specialized conferences, scholars have approached and acquainted with like-minded scientists, thereby establishing partnerships, laying the foundation for future research and teaching cooperation. Sharing at the VSP closing webinar, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Tuan Anh, Head of the Department of Cooperation and Development – VNU, said, “The Visiting Scholar Program has connected scientists between the three Universities and those in the US. Scholars have gained valuable lessons to improve their research and teaching skills, and have a new perspective to innovate teaching and research at universities in Vietnam.”
The VSP concluded with positive results. Twenty manuscripts are being completed by the scholars and submitted to prestigious Scopus/WoS-indexed journals. In addition, through sharing sessions and seminars at their workplaces, the scholars will continue to disseminate valuable lessons from their journey in the United States to their colleagues and future generations of students. At the same time, the scholars will continue to maintain academic connections, promote research and innovation.