John J, Brandon – Vice President Branch Office Washington, DC Asia Foundation visited and worked with the School of Foreign Languages – Thai Nguyen University

Attending the meeting, From SFL-TNU, there were: Dr. Le Hong Thang – Dean of SFL, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Binh – Head of Scientific Management and International Cooperation andDr. Nguyen Thi Minh Loan – Head of Department of English; From the Asia Foundation, there was: John J, Brandon, vice president of branch offices Washington, DC.

At the meeting, leaders of SFL briefly introduced the historical development as well as advantages, disadvantages and challenges that the School of Foreign Languages has confronted.  Furthermore, SFL leaders expressed the desire to be in a long-term cooperation with Asia Foundation in the future. Mr. John J, Brandon also gave a short introduction about activities of the Asia Foundation in the world in general and in Vietnam in particular. He expressed his willingness to cooperate and assist the School of Foreign Languages in the later development through specific activities such as donating books, funding for the activities of the English club, helping connect with organizations that send volunteers to teach English at SFL.

Also during the visit, Mr. Brandon gave a presentation on the topic “Asian Integration: Benefits and challenges for young people, teachers and students at the School of Foreign Languages – University Thai Nguyen in Viet Nam” to students with English as their major at SFL. After the presentation, in cordial discussions with students, Mr. Brandon shared valuable advice, inspired, motivated and encouraged students to try to learn, become global citizens, and meet the requirements of the society which is growing by the day.

In the afternoon, Mr. Brandon also had a tour around SFL’s campus, work environment for lecturers and students of SFL. He also visited classrooms and talked with students. In addition, to help him learn more about the cultural traditions of the people of Vietnam, students of SFL took him on a visit to the Museum of the Cultures of Vietnam’s Ethnic Groups.

At the end of the trip, Mr. Brandon expressed his sincere thanks for the School of Foreign Languages as he had been given the chance to learn about Vietnam in general and Thai Nguyen in particular and especially about the School of Foreign Languages. Both Mr. Brandon and SFL leaders expected to work with each other in the future.