Appalachian State University has signed a formal agreement with Duy Tan University (DTU) in Vietnam paving the way for student and faculty exchanges at both institutions. The agreement was signed Nov. 19 by Dr. Lorin Baumhover, provost and interim executive vice chancellor at Appalachian, and Professor Bao Le Nguyen, vice provost and director of academic affairs at DTU.

Vice Provost Bao Le shakes hand with Dr. Lorin Baumhover, Provost and Interim Vice Chancellor of ASU in the signing ceremony.

“There are many reasons why it is important for Appalachian to have a presence in Vietnam,” said Dr. Jesse Lutabingwa, Associate Vice Chancellor for International Education and Development. “Many experts have noted that Vietnam is the new economic hot spot with the same potential for economic growth and development that China has had. Vietnam has a population of more than 86 million, making it the 13^th most populous country in the world. At its current growth rate, it may soon reach the top 10 spot. Moreover, the U.S. is Vietnam’s second-largest trade partner overall, after China. According to the Open Doors 2010 Report recently issued by the Institute of International Education, Vietnam is among the top 10 countries in the world that send degree-seeking students to the U.S.”

During Professor Nguyen’s visit, Appalachian administrators and faculty explored ways to facilitate student and faculty exchanges between the two institutions. Immediately, DTU will provide logistical ground support for Appalachian’s Walker College of Business program to Vietnam, led by Department of Management faculty members Dr. Ben Powell and Dr. Heather Dixon-Fowler.

The five-week program will focus on social entrepreneurship and international entrepreneurship with visit Da Nang, Hoi An and Ho Chi Mihn City. The program was so popular among students, it was filled in less than two weeks.

“Student response to the Walker College of Business’ Summer Entrepreneurship Program in Vietnam solidified Business Advisory Board members’ and Dean Randy Edwards’ belief in the importance of Vietnam to students,” Powell said.

“The new relationship with Duy Tan University will play a critical role by facilitating the development, implementation, and future expansion of our program. Vietnam and Duy Tan University have a very bright and exciting future, and this relationship opens a door to this future for our students,” said Dixon-Fowler.

Another program to Vietnam will be led by Dr. Robert Wayne Van Devender from the Department of Biology. The three-week program will focus on biodiversity, conservation, and biogeography as applied to Vietnam.

From left to right: Dr. Meznar, Head of International Relations of Walker College of Business; Dr. Lutabingwa, Associate Vice Chancellor for International Education and Development; Dr. Edwards, Dean of Walker College of Business; Dr. Ann Milam, the one who brings together the collaboration between DTU and ASU; Vice Provost Bao Le and Dr. Lorin Baumhover, Provost of ASU.

Beginning in fall 2011, three to five DTU students will study at Appalachian for a semester and Appalachian students will go Vietnam to study at DTU under a direct exchange arrangement. This means that Appalachian students will pay Appalachian’s tuition and fees and housing to study in Vietnam. The Vietnamese students will do the same. Appalachian students may apply their financial aid toward their study in Vietnam. Students in various academic disciplines are encouraged to participate in the Appalachian-DTU Exchange Program. Several courses at DTU are offered in English. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to take Vietnamese as a second language and Vietnamese culture courses.

DTU also has interest in exploring a curriculum exchange program with Appalachian in hospitality management, and banking and finance, as well as a 2 + 2 academic program. Under the 2 + 2 program, DTU students would study for two years at their home institution in Vietnam and come to Appalachian as degree-seeking students for two years. After their two years at Appalachian, DTU students would earn a degree from Appalachian.

“I am very excited about Appalachian’s new partnership with Duy Tan University. Vietnam is a country with a strong emerging economy and it will be greatly benefit our students and faculty to interact with DTU. This partnership in Vietnam will contribute to the Walker College’s international initiatives around the world,” Edwards said.

With the partnership in Vietnam, the university and Office of International Education and Development continue long-range plans to broaden faculty and student exchanges to institutions other than those in Europe. Appalachian now has exchanges with universities in 27 countries.

“Having already had collaborations with four other universities in the United States, I still find our new relationship with Appalachian State University to be especially attractive and beneficial,” said Nguyen. “In particular, the model of student and staff exchange at Appalachian is very innovative and promises to be sustainable. As the biggest private university in the seaside city of Da Nang, our Duy Tan University hopes to become a major destination for Appalachian students and faculty members who want to study, teach or research in Vietnam and South East Asia.”

Appalachian State University is a public institution that was founded in 1899; it is a member of the University of North Carolina system (UNC). It has a student population of around 16,000, and the campus size is 1,300 acres. It is ranked No. 9 on the list of regional universities in the South region of the United States by the U.S. News.

(Source: http://www.news.appstate.edu/2010/11/23/educational-exchange-in-vietnam)