AY 2007-2008 Projects - East Asia and Pacific

Country                       Vietnam
City                              Ho Chi Minh City
Host Institution           Open University/College of Business Administration for Managers

Project Description
The EL Fellow will be based at Open University and College of Business Administration For Managers (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam).  2006 witnessed two milestones for Vietnam: accession to World Trade Organization and approval of Permanent Normal Trade Relations with the U.S. Vietnam has made a tremendous effort to advance more open-door policies and further integrate into the world economy. In order to meet the challenges of such integration, Vietnamese authorities have set goals to improve educational standards and strengthening English language programs in particular have topped the Vietnam Ministry of Education and Training’s (MOET) agenda. With 22.5 million university and grade school students, accounting for 27% of the country’s population, improving students’ English skills remains a serious challenge for MOET, especially when approximately 70% of university English teachers are trained locally. Despite their efforts, a 2005 MOET report revealed that Vietnamese students have the worst English skills among Southeast Asian countries. Ho Chi Minh City Open University is one of the leading institutions in Southern Vietnam. It is also the first university in the south to promote open learning and socialized education. Importantly, Open University is noted for offering students in-service and distance learning opportunities. The College of Business Administration for Managers (CBAM) provides programs and courses for upcoming business leaders. Under the supervision of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), CBAM focuses on three key areas: business, information technology, and foreign languages. Both Ho Chi Minh City Open University and CBAM view English language study as an indispensable tool for their teachers and students to gain better access to the modern world’s knowledge. Local English teachers at both institutions need to improve their teaching skills and upgrade their curriculum. At HCMC Open University and CBAM, students and teachers suffer from a lack of opportunities to learn from native speakers.

Project Objectives
An EL Fellow will help the faculty work out modern teaching plans and curricula as well as conduct workshops to improve their teaching skills. The EL Fellow will also help plan an American Studies program at HCMC Open University and CBAM to expose students to U.S. culture, history, and society. The EL Fellow will also facilitate workshops and presentations at other institutions in the consular district at least once every two months. These institutions, located in southern and central Vietnam (including the coast, central highlands to the Mekong Delta areas), include regional and local universities that generally have limited opportunities to host a native English-speaking expert on campus. Also, as agreed by the co-hosts, the EL Fellow will work mornings at CBAM and afternoons/evenings at Open University, although for no more than a total of 20 hours teaching per week between the two institutions. These two institutions are 7 minutes by bicycle from each other.

About the Host Institution
Ho Chi Minh City Open University was founded in 1993 (previously the Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Open Education). HCMC Open University offers a variety of programs ranging from on-site to distance learning as well as learning at satellite academic centers. The university aims to meet the various learning demands and contribute to the development of Vietnam’s human resources. At present, Ho Chi Minh City Open University has 8 faculties and 10 research centers, 400 staff and 35,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The university has developed cooperation with more than 30 foreign universities, institutions, and NGOs. 

CBAM was established in 1999 under the supervision of Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI). This is one of the leading institutions in Southern Vietnam which provides training in business administration, information technology, and language skills for upcoming business leaders. CBAM coordinates with several foreign universities and institutes including Southern California University, the Business Administration Association in UK and Kent Institute in Australia for undergraduate and graduate programs. With more than 120 staff and a total enrollment of some 4,000 students in 2006, CBAM is highly regarded for providing a highly-qualified workforce for Vietnam’s economic development as well as contributing to Vietnam’s integration into the regional and world economy.