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Dear cherished friends of Fulbright University Vietnam,
Since our earliest days, Fulbright University Vietnam has always been oriented toward the values of localizing global knowledge. We aspire to build a world-class university in Vietnam, which is rooted in a liberal arts education, not only globally integrated but also deeply embedded in Vietnamese society. We believe that, regardless of generation, a deep understanding of our past holds the key to unlocking the future; one that strengthens our footing in a world still regarded as uncertain, ambiguous, volatile, and complex.
This April, our community was delighted at the launch of the Vietnam Studies Center at the university. Coinciding with the official Memorandum of Understanding signing between Fulbright and the State Records and Archives Management Department of Vietnam, the Center’s establishment will become a hub for academic seminars, displays, exhibitions, digitalization of Vietnamese archival documents and artifacts, as well publications of local and international research centered around Vietnam. We hope they will serve as inspiring opportunities, and incentives, for the young people of Vietnam to rediscover, and re-examine, the layered stories of our country – its history, culture, society, and people – thus prompting them to not merely master a deep understanding of Vietnam, but above all, it’ll nurture one’s identity and civic consciousness in a country now intrinsically globalized.
My dear friends,
Reflecting on the goals set for the Vietnam Studies Center at Fulbright, I appreciate the fact that they’re also evocative of the values which have carved the way for the proven success of the Fulbright Economics Teaching Program (FETP) since 1995, the predecessor of the Fulbright School of Public Policy and Management (FSPPM) at Fulbright University Vietnam today.
Our 27-year journey of transforming Vietnam’s human capital has always been grounded on educational programs based on globally embracive and locally probing insights into the country’s economic pulse, against the backdrop of rapidly changing scenes and new realities within Vietnam and that of the world. The enduring success of FETP, and now FSPPM and Fulbright, altogether, is credited to the tireless efforts of experts, visionaries, and leaders in Vietnam and across the world, those who have wholeheartedly dedicated to the advancement of Vietnam.
And now, with a community of more than 1500 FETP and FSPPM alumni from 62/63 provinces in Vietnam – an excellent class of officials and civil servants who have pioneered progressive change within their communities across the country – Fulbright has not only been recognized as “the most
important educational legacy between the Vietnam-US relations but it is now deemed an “invaluable well of knowledge” for future generations of Vietnam.
That legacy is honored and still cultivated at Fulbright University Vietnam until this day. This April, FSPPM announced the application for the Master of Public Policy Class of 2024 (MPP2024), which will provide scholarship packages granted by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), U.S. Department of State. Particularly, the scholarship program is also eligible for policy consultants and policymakers from public areas of Laos – a milestone step that reflects our mission to serve as one of Southeast Asia’s influential hubs and destinations for education.
My dear friends,
I’ve always believed university is the place where our young people can discover themselves, understand more about who they are, and determine their path to lifelong learning.
Such is why Fulbright University Vietnam is pleased to collaborate with MetaMinds Network to initiate “Mind Talks: Better Reader – Better Me”, a series of talks and discussions that invite young Vietnamese people to exchange with established authors, key opinion leaders, influencers, and thinkers on life-defining books. The first season of Mind Talks will explore the theme “Ikigai – A reason for living”, which we hope will spark inspiration in Vietnamese younger generations to figure out their answer, and as a result, inspire them to pay it forward when it comes to positive change they wish to impact.
Every member of the Fulbright community believes that higher education, specifically the liberal arts education at Fulbright, does not simply equip students with the essential skills, and intellectual and critical faculties to find a job after graduation. But most importantly, Fulbright is the place where the young people of Vietnam can discover their answer to the question “Why do I work?” while striving for the good of our community and society.
Sending my very best,
Dam Bich Thuy
President, Fulbright University Vietnam
