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NEWSLETTER June 2013

No.1

Vietnam Deputy Prime Minister visits Tra Vinh University and support to further improve the quality of education in the province particularly in Tra Vinh University.

Tra Vinh University (TVU), Tra Vinh City, Province of Tra Vinh, is very much honoured to be chosen as one of the places that the Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam, Professor Nguyen Thien Nhan, had visited during his official visit in Mekong Delta Provinces. In the afternoon of February 1, 2013, the Chairman of Tra Vinh Provincial People's Committee, Mr. Tran Khieu, the Chairman of TVU Advisory Council, Mr. Tran Hoan Kim, TVU Rector, Dr. Pham Tiet Khanh, TVU Rector Boar, TVU Instructors, volunteers and students warmly welcomed the Deputy Prime Minister and delegates. During the meeting, the TVU Rector Board had the chance to convey insights about the development of education as offered by TVU. Dr. Pham Tiet Khanh also expressed his full commitment

In response, the Deputy Prime Minister, Professor Nguyen Thien Nhan, emphasized, in his speech, the great achievements of TVU for the last ten years. Among which is the cooperative (co-op) education model that TVU is employing, to send students for on the job training in different companies and stakeholders within and outside Tra Vinh province. Also, the high employment rate of TVU graduates was likewise recognized. He further mentioned some advanced agricultural production models in Mekong Delta and proceeded to stress-out that since Tra Vinh is an agricultural province, it is of great importance that TVU has to focus in the study of sustainable agriculture, climate change adaptation and teaching capacity development for additional qualified instructors according to Vietnam University standards by 2020.

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2013 NEWSLETTER June No.1

th Anniversary in the Establishment of

40

Diplomatic Relations of Vietnam and Canada at TraVinh University During this occasion, cultural programs were conducted and various sports competitions were undertaken to highlight the activity. This was ably participated by the diplomatic delegates, Tra Vinh University (TVU) volunteers, and university students alike.

The 40 t h anniversary celebration of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Canada was formally made in the afternoon on March 20, 2013, at Tra Vinh University (TVU). The activity was held through the efforts of the Vietnam-Canada Friendship Association of Tra Vinh province and the university. The momentous event has been done with prior permission from the Tra Vinh Provincial People's Committee.

Note worthily, the province of Tra Vinh has been made recipient on many projects by the Canadian Government in recent years, and has benefited much from it. This signifies that the two countries abovementioned, have strongly and satisfactorily established their diplomatic relations in the development of trade and education, since it has been started in 1973.

Positive impacts of international involvement of Tra Vinh University (TVU) staff and students On the basis of developing cooperative opportunities, Tra Vinh University (TVU) has established its diplomatic relations with Cambodian partners involving Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC) and Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) since 2010. With this tight relationship, TVU students honorably receive two ITC scholarships annually. Besides, both TVU students and staff are eligible to get many scholarships from the two governments for pursuing their studies in Cambodia. Under the governmental scholarships, ten TVU staff accomplished their studies and returned back to TVU for their next contribution in 2011. So far 29 TVU students are spending their time and making their efforts for learning at RUPP. These Vietnamese students' noble characteristics and enthusiasm in diplomatic activities along with their

studies have attracted 67 Cambodian students to TVU for continuing to pursue their studies. With remarkable efforts of TVU in promoting cooperative relationship with international partners in general and Cambodian ones in particular, TVU strongly hopes that its number of international students is developing.

Dr. Om Romny, Director General of ITC (the second from the right to left)

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2013 NEWSLETTER June No.1

Griffith College Dublin (GCD) President from Ireland visits TVU President to discuss future collaboration between schools. On May 11th 2013, Dr. Pham Tiet Khanh, Rector of Tra Vinh University and related faculties welcomed Prof. Diarmuid Hegarty, President of Griffith College Dublin (GCD), Ireland. Griffith College Dublin is the third largest independent institutions in Ireland.

At the meeting, Prof. Diarmuid Hegarty and Dr. Pham Tiet Khanh discussed about potential Prof. Diarmuid Hegarty and Dr. Pham Tiet Khanh at the MOU signing ceremony

collaborations such as Accounting, IT, two- stage

program, and so on. Prof. Diarmuid Hegarty stated that studying in GCD is not only a worthwhile experience, but it also carries with it some advantages. He said “in Accounting, overseas students can keep themselves abreast with up-to-date knowledge, and can have the opportunity to attend ACCA courses. ACCA is already accepted by many countries in the world”. After a thorough discussion on the matter, the two institutions, through their respective heads mentioned above, officially signed the Memorandum of Understanding effective for a period of four years from date of signing.

Fruitful Collaboration between TVU and Philippine Universities Tra Vinh University (TVU), has seriously paid attention to international collaboration, even during the time when it was yet a community college. Since Vietnam is an Asian country, it is not hard to connect to other neighboring nations. With regards to TVU's collaboration with universities in the Philippines, it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Southern Leyte State University (SLSU), last 2009. To implement the MOU, TVU and SLSU worked together in offering Master in Management (MM) program, which was successfully launched in 2011. The said collaboration is a huge achievement for both schools, and observably, has a steady progress to date. On July 11 to 17, 2013, Tra Vinh University (TVU) paid visits to SLSU and two Philippine partners more involving Leyte Normal University (LNU) and Cebu Normal University (CNU) to explore new areas of cooperation. On this occasion, TVU awarded the Certificate of Recognition

for Strategic Partner to SLSU on the basis of similarity, cooperation desire and permanent trust between the two universities. Along with the program of Master in Management of SLSU expanded at TVU, SLSU and TVU have discussed other cooperative areas involving publication exchange, holding international workshops and expanding SLSU's academic programs to Vietnam and TVU's ones to Philippines.

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2013 NEWSLETTER June No.1

A NEW HAVEN FOR TVU STUDENTS The construction of the Dormitory Project, within Campus 1 of Tra Vinh University (TVU), was started last January 2013.

The on-going structure is under the

supervision of the Project Management Board of TVU, as funded by the Tra Vinh Provincial People's Committee and government bonds. The project includes five separate buildings – four five storeys and one four storeys. It is aimed to cater to an estimated number of 3,500 occupants by the end of 2014. With the joint efforts of TVU officials led by the University President, Dr. Pham Tiet Khanh and Tra Vinh People's Committee, this project will be a good place to stay for TVU students especially Khmer and less fortunate at a minimal cost.

Talented TVU Students Showed Off in the Field of Robotics TVU students participated, for the first time, in the said contest with the aim of exchanging, learning, gaining, sharing experiences, and knowledge with other competitors. Fortunately, both teams won during the first round which made them the sole representative in the Southwest region in the second round. They hit the third spot for the overall ranking, while representatives of Lac Hong University and Polytechnic University from Ho Chi Minh City The South Regional Qualifying Round of Vietnam Robocon 2013 was held in Ho Chi Minh City. A total of 48 teams competed from 12 different colleges and universities in the South. The Faculty of Engineering and Technology of Tra Vinh University sent two teams namely: TVU-01 and TVU-02 to the said event. These teams are composed of 12 students w h o h ave t re m e n d o u s ex p e r t i s e a n d outstanding achievements in the field of mechanics and electronics.

took the first and second slots respectively. Prior to the said competition, the Faculty of Engineering and Technology of TVU had already successfully launched two Robocon activities. The first one was held on September 10, 2011 at Tra Vinh University with the theme “Building pagodas with Khmer architecture in Tra Vinh Province”.

The second was

conducted last December 6, 2012 with the theme “The legend of Ba Om Pond”. It was known from the Deputy Head of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, in the person of Mr. Van Read more next page....

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2013 NEWSLETTER June No.1

TVU Students actively engaged in social work

Students of Tra Vinh University (TVU) are always aware of their social responsibilities. They are constantly willing to volunteer and contribute their efforts for the welfare and benefit to community. During vacant hours, they are actively involved in the following: Blood donation campaign. Environmental protection events. Entrance examination support program. Caring for the elderly; visiting and giving gifts to the poor and families of those that have contributed for the development and peace of the country. Activities for children, such as conducting remedial classes to poor pupils

during summer vacation; and participating in the children's festival and highlighting Viet Nam youth dream program. The purpose of having these kinds of activities is to help the students to become responsible; motivate them to be involved in community outreach; discover their hidden talents and creativity. Further, the volunteer activities mentioned earlier may bring many great benefits to the students, to wit: Develop their life skills. Understand more about the real life in the community. Have the chance to be recommended for special awards. Improve their studying habits. Have an opportunity to find a job in the future This student social and community involvement program is organized and strongly supported by TVU every year.

Talented TVU Students Showed ... Quoc Kiet, that, “The contests were organized basing on the flame of passion and creativity of the students who are science and technology enthusiasts.” He added that these events are open for TVU students who have the skills in robotics so they will have a good avenue to gain the confidence, experience, display their talents and abilities, and inspire them in applying science and technology into practice, thus helping them to become competitive in this area. Further, he stressed out that Robotics contest will be organized periodically to find excellent teams to participate in Viet Nam Robot competition annually. Through the joint efforts of the Deputy Head and the Faculty of Engineering and Technology of TVU, the best two teams who emerged as the winners were sent to Ho Chi Minh City for the South Regional quest.

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2013 NEWSLETTER June No.1

“Camp CLEATS” helps to draw the pink dreams of children

After completing the preparation of the facilities as well as enrolling campers for “Camp Cleats”, the opening ceremony took place in the football field of Tra Vinh University (TVU) on July 6, 2013. This is the first time that "Camp Cleats" was held in Tra Vinh through the coordination between TVU and Volunteers in Asia (VIA).

“Camp CLEATS” was organized at two places, at TVU, Vietnam from July 6th to July 12th, 2013 and in Battambang province, Cambodia from July 16th to July 27th, 2013 with the aims of bringing what is best for children and helping them to accumulate experience and developing life skills through fun activities. “Changing lives and encouraging ability through soccer” is a message of this program. It is a unique opportunity for students of Vietnam, Cambodia and the United States of America to explore new aspects in cultures, lifestyles and life skills.

In duration of “Camp CLEATS” in Viet Nam and Cambodia, the coaches taught “the little footballers” football skills, soft skills, computer skills and English. For students, they have lived together as members of a family with self-cooking and self-laundry which are very practical and meaningful to improve the community's understanding of the importance of teaching life skills to young generation.

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2013 NEWSLETTER June No.1

Scholarship Programs for TVU Workers and Students

Tra Vinh University (TVU) conducted several study grants to the faculty, staff, and students, aimed to help the university's workforce in terms of educational qualification and professional development. A series of screening activity to the deserving were undergone to facilitate the same. Last April 8, 2013, the selection of candidates for the first study grant, which is the TECHNO Scholarship Program III has been held. This program, having successfully implemented two cycles since 2011, offered various scholarships to the worthy grantees particularly in the following fields: Agri-aquaculture, Engineering Technology, Medicine, Applied Chemistry and Education. Further, the International Director of Marine Institute (MI), Canada and his delegation had a business trip here in Tra Vinh University (TVU), Vietnam last May 10, 2013. During the visit, five scholarship slots were offered to deserving TVU students who excelled academically. Additionally, aside from the above mentioned grant, collaboration in the area of research, which will be conducted in the near future, was also deliberated.

By Center for Communication and Public Promotion, Tra Vinh University Contributed by Ms. Doriz R. Roa, Filipino Volunteer

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