This July, YSEALI Academy at Fulbright is hosting its flagship seminar about Energy Economics and Policy. This is the first in a series of three seminars on Public Policy, Technology and Innovation, and Entrepreneurship. Due to COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions, this year, these events will take place virtually.
In the inaugural information session designed for prospective applicants interested in Energy Economics and Policy, YSEALI Academy’s leaders and faculty introduced the application process, curriculum, and learning outcomes. Below, we put together some of the most commonly asked questions about the upcoming seminar, including applicant eligibility, language requirement, networking opportunities, and more.
Should you have any inquiries that have not been mentioned here, kindly contact us at yseali@fulbright.edu.vn.
- Question 1: I am really interested in this program. But I am currently residing outside of where I am from, and I am not sure if I am qualified to apply for this opportunity. Would you mind clarifying on this?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions, in the first year, we will offer the seminar series virtually. The virtual format does open the possibility for citizens of a Southeast Asian country who are outside the region to participate as long as they are outside temporarily (such as attending a grad school or following the company’s temporary reassignment) and plan to return in the short term. Participants should be both citi
zens and residents of one of the 11 Southeast Asian countries.
- Question 2: I am 21 years old. Can I apply for this program?
The target audience for outreach and selection are young professionals between the ages of 25-40. For other applicants, we will review the applications on a case-by-case basis.
- Question 3: What are the criteria to apply for this program?
To be eligible for the seminars at YSEALI Academy, you must be citizens and residents of 10 ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste and young professionals between the ages of 25-40.Applicants will be selected based on:- Educational Background
- Prior Work and Life Experience
- Leadership skills- Interests in the seminar topic
- Interest in Southeast Asian development and US-Southeast Asian relationship
- Fit with YSEALI mission
Apart from these criteria, we will try to maximize diversity in gender, country of origin, rural/urban background, age, and professional background (e.g., for-profit, non-profit, government experience).
- Question 4: Do I receive any recognition after I complete the seminar?
Fellows will be awarded a certificate of completion by YSEALI Academy at FUV upon successful completion of a seminar.
- Question 5. May I apply if I am a YSEALI alumnus?
Yes. All alumni from any program are encouraged to apply.
- Question 6: How important is the personal essay in the application package?
The essay is an essential part of the application package. The essay helps Admission Board understand your motivation in joining the YSEALI program and evaluate applicants’ aspirations and prospects to contribute to society after their completion of the program. We really want to see that you are fit with both the YSEALI’s mission and the theme of the seminar. Make sure that you express your interests in the seminar’s theme and show your interests through your work experience, life experience, and education.
- Question 7: If I stay in Ho Chi Minh City, may I come and discuss face to face with the speakers and tutors at Fulbright University Vietnam’s campus?
You are welcome to come to FUV’s campus to have a discussion with the teaching fellows who are based in Ho Chi Minh City. But our teaching fellows also come from the U.S., Europe, and other parts of the world. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions, many of them cannot come to Ho Chi Minh City for this seminar. You can discuss with them via virtual channels.
- Question 8: If I am accepted into the Program this year but cannot arrange to attend the program, can I defer my results till next year’s intake?
No, since we have different themes for the seminar series. If candidates cannot arrange to attend this year’s cohort, they will be excluded from shortlisted candidates. When candidates can arrange their schedule and wish to join the Program, they have to reapply and go through application steps as new candidates.
- Question 9: Can I apply for more than one seminar?
Yes. But you will have to compete with the pool of applicants for the seminar you apply for.
- Question 10: Do we need English certificates to apply for this program?
It is not a compulsory requirement. If you do not have an English certificate, you should demonstrate your English skills through other degrees and/or your work experience.
- Question 11: What specific experience in energy and policy making is necessary for the program?
For this program, we want to select a group of participants with a common interest in energy economics and policy making. An experience in energy and/or policy making will be an advantage because you will be able to share your experience with other fellows during the seminar.
- Question 11: Do I need a college/university degree to apply?
No. You do not need to have any degree, including college or university, to apply. But you need to demonstrate your skills and experience.
- Question 12: I am not working for the public sector. Am I still eligible for the YSEALI program?
Yes. the YSEALI Academy welcomes all applicants irrespective of whether they are the employees from the public or private sector, NGO or multilateral organization.
- Question 13: Do you have a schedule for the next seminar on Technology and Innovation?
We plan to launch the second seminar on Technology and Innovation in September.
- Question 14: If selected, do I have to pay to attend the seminar?
No, selected candidates will be fully funded by the US Department of State (DOS).
- Question 15: What is the selection process?
YSEALI Academy will work with the DOS to select Fellows from the candidate pool, with all nominations approved by the DOS prior to acceptance. We will review your applications and grade your applications based on the stated criteria.
- Question 16: What is the requirement to get a certificate of completion?
Participants are required to commit at least 36 hours for online seminar activities and approximately 12 additional hours for individual and group assignments for 2 weeks. Therefore, participants are highly recommended to take two fully committed weeks to participate productively in and achieve the most from the seminar.
- Question 17: Who will be the instructors in the Energy Seminar?
They are professors from well-known universities and leaders from the industry from the US, Europe, and Asia Pacific region with diverse experiences.
- Question 18: Will there be networking opportunities during virtual seminars?
The networking activities will be conducted via team projects and class discussions.
- Question 19: Can you tell us about the projects we will do during the seminar?
Two or three fellows from two or three countries will work together on a project related to the seminar’s theme. You can choose from a broad range of issues, work on research questions, collect data, do analysis, have an assessment, and decide on policy implications. It is a great opportunity to learn from each other’s practical experience from each country.
- Question 20: Are some applicants prioritized during admission?
Generally, no. The YSEALI program does not have any priorities for any group of applicants. However, we will try to maximize diversity in gender, religion, country of origin, rural/urban background, age, and professional background (e.g., for-profit, non-profit, government experience). Also, all 10 ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste should be represented in the seminars. Additionally, depending on seminar topics offered, we may give attention to fellows that are directly relevant to the goals of a particular seminar.
- Question 21: When will I hear the results?
The results will be notified to those who are selected by June 7.
- Question 22: How many people will be selected for this program?
We will select 25 participants for this seminar.
- Question 23: How different is the YSEALI Academy from the original YSEALI program?
The seminar series offered by YSEALI Academy is part of YSEALI’s greater agenda for young professionals in the region. YSEALI Academy focuses on delivering the learning materials and activities that are academically rigorous and yet practical to young professionals in ASEAN. For each seminar, we have a specific theme and select fellows with a common interest in that theme.
- Question 24: Will there be a face-to-face seminar once traveling is allowed?
Starting in 2022, we plan to offer face-to-face seminars in Vietnam with experiential learning and other active learning pedagogies, including company and institution visits, cultural immersion, and excursions.
- Question 25: How experiential learning will be conducted online?
As the 2021 seminar is conducted wholly online without field trips, it will be delivered in diverse formats to maximize the engagement of participants, including faculty lectures, guest speeches, panel discussions, team projects, team presentations, and class discussions. In 90-minute lectures, we will have one faculty and one industry expert, or two faculty to work with participants to enable more interaction. We will provide videos from industry experts which will show the projects they are working on in terms of energy technologies. In addition to the lectures, participants will have sessions on leadership training, teamwork, and cross-cultural communication. Participants will bring those skills to the group work to prepare for the project.
- Question 26: I mistakenly submitted my unfinished application, what should I do?
You will have to create a new account with a new email address to submit a new application. As such, before you submit the application, make sure to review the application carefully so you will not miss any information.
