The Higher Education Review

Quality is the watchword of today's education. Whether it is the students or the parents, the primary element that they strive for is a fulfilling package of comprehensive and quality education, which inevitably opens the doors to endless opportunities. Several international students dream of obtaining an American style education, regarded as advantageous, as it promises graduates a competitive edge in the workforce. However, only a handful of international students can bear the burn of high costs to study in the US. This was the initial issue and catalyst for the establishment of The American University in Vietnam (AUV).

"AUV provides all students from different nationalities the opportunity to earn a globally recognized degree by paying affordable fees and commencing their studies amidst the tropical landscapes of the campus and new facilities"

"We have an obligation to help students to create a better future, leading a more fulfilling and productive life, regardless of economic limitations," AUV Chancellor, Dr. Binh Tran explains. "Success begins with access to affordable American education which we offer here in Vietnam."

The university was established in 2011 with courses approved to have begun in 2016 following a long 17-year journey from idea to operation. Dr. John Behzad, Academic VP, introduces AUV as "an elite university delivering an affordable American-style education based on strong curricula, advanced instructional methods, and a highly qualified cadre of American faculty."

The University hosts a vibrant community of students and staff members always keen to extend their support to overseas students in terms of both academic and non-academic affairs.

"With the integration of Vietnam into the global economy, we are ardently looking forward to enrolling a diversified group of students, including from India. As AUV applies the same rigorous academic standards employed by accredited universities in the U.S., international students gain direct access to American degrees at an affordable cost--a 1/3 of the educational costs in the US," pinpoints Dr. Binh.

Apart from cost effective education, another attractive feature of AUV is its transnational institutional access that allows the students to choose to study one or two years in Vietnam and continue their coursework in the U.S. in any of the 300 majors that AUV partner universities offer in the US. AUV credits are transferable, giving students the opportunity to complete their studies in their preferred field of specialty through 2+2, 1+3 or 3+1 programs for undergraduate degrees and 2+2+1, 3+1+1 or 4+2 for Master's degrees

from AUV partner universities in the U.S. With an assurance of preparing students for a rewarding career, the University conducts a range of programs such as Mass Communication, Sustainable Tourism, Business Administration, and Computer Science. In partnership with well-established, high-ranking universities in the US (Arizona State University, Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Kansas City, Missouri, and many others), AUV programs in Aviation, Software Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Health Sciences are set to launch next year.

The Holy Grail of International Higher Education
An utmost fascinating place to be, Vietnam is popularly known for its low cost of living and this fact lets international students pursue their education without having to face financial constraints. "AUV has a generous financial assistance program, including both merit-based and needs-based scholarships, coupled with special scholarships available to only international students, viz., AUV Presidential Merit Scholarship," claims Dr. Binh. This way, the University provides the students from different nationalities the opportunity to earn a globally recognized degree by paying affordable fees and commencing their studies amidst the tropical landscapes of AUV campus and new facilities. Being in Da Nang Vietnam, Dr. Binh adds, "Our students are facilitated to spend their education tenure in a favorable atmosphere and experience the rich cultural and historical heritage of a growing, vibrant emerging economy."

Holding the belief of maintaining small class size, the dedicated faculty members of the University put their entire effort in balancing the theoretical and practical knowledge in a way that eventually enables students to gain productive learning outcomes. Experiential learning, case study, project-based learning, and developing lifelong skills are some of the academic strategies that faculty members integrate into instruction. Adopting such modern pedagogies, students of AUV attain intellectual ability, cultivate lifelong skills, and achieve their personal and professional aspirations. Students are not only motivated to grow individually but are also stimulated to develop a higher sense of personal and social values, so that they can actively contribute to the well being of the local, national and global communities.

Being a student-centered University, AUV makes sure that the students are positively engaged both in curricular and co-curricular activities, allowing them to blossom holistically. The University has classified the teaching and learning process after much contemplation, owing to which the first two years of the curricula emphasize the foundation of liberal education based on critical & creative thinking, rational & methodical reasoning, quantitative and evidence-based thinking, and oral & written communication. In junior and senior years, students specialize in a major area of study.

"It is no secret that American curricula are in high demand for its quality, rigor, and effective pedagogical methods. This means as global education becomes more competitive, it is imperative for students to consider institutional relationships," explains Dr. Binh.

"Through AUV's rich relationships with respected partners in the US, our students have the best opportunities in Vietnam."

The Emergence of AUV
The American University in Vietnam (AUV) received an investment license in 2009 and the groundbreaking ceremony for campus was in September 2010. AUV then partnered with Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC), California State University, State University of New York (NYU), Florida Institute of Technology (FIT), Wentworth Institute of Technology, and others to develop solid American curricula for a global audience. With support from the leaders of the Vietnamese Government and others, AUV received approval in 2015 for courses and degrees to begin in the fall of 2016. Along with an International Advisory Board, AUV established a focus in areas of art and science, as well as professional studies. AUV now offers the full spectrum of general education courses, with degrees in Business Administration, Sustainable Tourism, Mass Communication, and Computer Science. Future degree programs in include Pre-Health Sciences, Software Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Aviation. AUV continues to be a leading American education provider in Vietnam.

Da Nang - The Education Hub of Central Vietnam
Apparently, nowhere in Vietnam is changing as fast as Da Nang, where AUV has strategically housed its headquarters. Considering education as a first priority, Da Nang authorities have been encouraging international cooperation in education, especially calling for interests from foreign institutions to invest in opening their branches in the city. Being the largest city in Central Vietnam and one of the five metropolitan cities in Vietnam, Da Nang has emerged as the hub for economic, cultural, educational, science and technology of the central and highland regions of Vietnam. Annually, thousands of personnel are trained in universities and vocational schools in high demand majors particularly IT, High Technology, Tourism and Hospitality, Finance and Banking, and Transportation and Logistics Services.

Dr. Binh Thy Nguyen Tran, Chancellor
As the Chancellor of The American University in Vietnam, Dr. Binh Thy Nguyen Tran is dedicated to the cause of education in Vietnam. Her passion for education stems from years of charitable work and the need to make education accessible to talented children. After raising five children in the US, Dr. Binh's quest for philanthropy drew her back to Vietnam where there were limited opportunities for Vietnamese children to have access to American education. Something she believed was a catalyst to a better future for individuals and in turn, the community. With a rich background in business and education, Dr. Binh is mindful of the advantages of an American education as well as its high cost. Following the success of two K-12 American international schools in Vietnam, Dr. Binh was driven to create a private university in Da Nang that was cost effective and affordable for students of all backgrounds. This led to the opening of the American University in Vietnam in 2016.