Give a hand to the community (07-11-2011)

On November 4^th, 2011, at the VUS main campus 189 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 1, the US Consulate General and VUS organized a graduation ceremony for 20 recipients of the English Access Microscholarship, a program sponsored by the US Department of State.

Since 2009, VUS has been the first English training center to cooperate with the US Consulate General to introduce the English Access Microscholarship to 20 underprivileged yet talented students living in Open Houses in Ho Chi Minh City. Scholarship winners study both English and computer skills. In addition, they are taught about international cultures in order to improve their knowledge to integrate better into the country’s socio-economic development, which at the same time gives them an opportunity to compete for Cultural Exchange Scholarships to study in the US.

The students come very early to be well prepared for their graduation ceremony. Excitement and happiness can be clearly seen in each of them. La Minh Thien, a 14-year-old student from Tre Xanh open house, said: “This is the first time I’m wearing a graduation gown. I’m very happy and excited.” Nguyen Thi Lan Trinh is moved when receiving her first graduation certificate; she said: “I’ve had a great time with my teachers and friends. This scholarship has changed my life and helped build my confidence. I will be able to apply the skills and knowledge to my future work.”

The US Consul General HE Mr. Le Thanh Anh said: “Thanks VUS for successfully delivering this special and challenging program. With the support from a prestigious English training center like VUS, the program has achieved its objective of equipping underprivileged students with excellent English skills in order for them to have more opportunities to develop and succeed in their learning journey.”

The English Access Microscholarship program is one of the community outreach programs of VUS in addition to its regular programs that cater to nearly 200,000 students every year. VUS CEO Mr. Pham Tan Nghia said: “English Access Microscholarship is a worthwhile program. VUS hopes that it has provided the students with a powerful tool – which is English – to help change their life and give them confidence to access and integrate into the world.”

Besides this program, VUS continues to carry out its mission through other worthwhile activities. Every year, VUS assists many young people in Ho Chi Minh City to access its international standard English learning environment through multi billion VND programs such as: Nguyen Thai Binh Scholarships, Scholarships for staff of the Party’s Committee, Integration Scholarships, etc. The Nguyen Thai Binh Scholarship program has been a successful cooperation between VUS and Thanh Nien newspaper to help poor student study English. Integration Scholarships provide opportunities for thousands of students to gain access to quality English training programs at VUS at the price of 50% the regular rate. VUS has been selected by the Party Committee in the past years to provide English training for its staff; there are in average 200 staff of Ho Chi Minh City attending English courses at VUS and receiving certificates such as TOEIC and TOEFL iBT.

With its world class programs, its commitment to facilitating tens of thousands of learners to get international certificates every year, as well as its contribution to society, VUS once again confirms its prestige and training quality which contributes to its being a sustainable business in the community.