Two Vietnamese women appointed to VEF by US President

In mid-May, the US Government issued a press release about President Barack Obama's decision to nominate two long-time activists in the field of education, Ms. Nguyen Phuc Anh Lan and Vuong Ngoc Quyen, to the Board of Directors of the Vietnam Education Foundation (abbreviated as VEF).

Ms. Vuong Ngoc Quyen (in white shirt, front row)

It is known that VEF is an agency established by the US federal government in 2003 to support educational cooperation between the US and Vietnam.Male. The US Congress annually appropriates approximately $5 million to the Fund through 2018.

To date there are about 400 Vietnamese graduate students.Malehave studied in the United States through VEF scholarships. There are also about 30 Vietnamese researchersMalehas been to the US under the VEF scholar program and many American professors have taught in Vietnam.Malealso with VEF funding.

Ms. Nguyen Phuc Anh Lan is quite famous for her educational activities as Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Vietnam Association of Culture and Science.Male(Vietnamese Culture and Science Association). In 1998, she founded the National Youth Leadership Development Camp, to promote the activities of Vietnamese-American citizens in the United States. Ms. Lan said: "During the 20 years of operation, the Culture and Science Association has always focused on the issue of education and leadership training for young people, typically the youth skills development summer camp program that we have implemented for the 15th year. All the work that we have done has probably resonated and attracted the attention of US government officials. And that is why the US President invited us to participate in the VEF board of directors.

Before that, in the activities of the Science and Culture Association, we often participated in activities of Vietnamese American organizations or had programs to help with education in Vietnam.MaleWe recognize the need for education in Vietnam.Maleis very large and always concerned about how to build a generation of intellectual youth in the future. They are not only good at technology but also become leaders to join hands to build a strong community where they live.

Ms. Nguyen Phuc Anh Lan

Similarly, Ms. Vuong Ngoc Quyen is currently the executive director of ICAN (International Children Assistance Network) in San Jose, a prestigious organization working for children in Vietnam and the United States, which she co-founded in 2000. She is also a member of the Pacific Links Foundation, a charity organization she also co-founded in 2001. Ms. Vuong Ngoc Quyen said: "ICAN was founded in 2000 with the initial desire to support and help poor and unfortunate children in Vietnam.MaleWe think that when we have the conditions, everyone wants to join hands to help their compatriots in Vietnam.Male. Then, around 2001-2002, we saw that Vietnamese children in the United States also needed the help of organizations like ICAN. So, from 2001-2002, we started having programs in two places. Specifically in Vietnam.Male, we help poor and orphaned children have the opportunity to go to school.

Next, ICAN also built a new facility for the Tue Tinh Duong Monastery in Hue; donated some ventilators for premature babies. In addition, every year, we give gifts and books to children going to school, and gifts to victims of natural disasters and floods. ICAN's purpose is to help children have the conditions to develop their abilities so that they can contribute to society in the future. And in the US, although children do not lack food or clothing, they easily lack cultural identity. ICAN hopes to help children not lack those things..."

Speaking about her thoughts on her own directions when appointed to VEF, Ms. Vuong Ngoc Quyen confided: "VEF's mission is to help strengthen the relationship between Vietnam and the world."Maleand the United States, through cultural and educational exchanges, especially in the fields of science and technology. Up to now, the Foundation has sent about 50 excellent students from Vietnam to study in the United States each year. Our desire is to create opportunities for all excellent students, whether in urban or rural areas, to study and develop in the United States."

According to DDK-M