March 29, 2005

Purdue joins national program to help Vietnamese scholars

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University has joined forces with the Vietnam Education Foundation (VEF) to help Vietnamese scholars come to Purdue through fellowships for graduate training in science and technology.

The first VEF fellow is Huang Le, who is studying industrial engineering. His major professor is Suresh Rao, associate dean of engineering and the Lee A. Rieth Distinguished Professor of Environmental Engineering.

"This special initiative by the United States Congress is designed to bring the United States and Vietnam closer through educational exchanges," said John Contreni, dean of Purdue's Graduate School. "We're happy to be part of a program that is so closely aligned with our own objective to spread quality education throughout the world. This is a way for Purdue to connect with Vietnam for many decades to come."

Purdue will support the fellows jointly with VEF. Rao said he expects more students to participate this fall.

The foundation is in its second year of operation and receives the full support of the U.S. National Academies in its fellowship selection process. VEF currently has more than 100 fellows at 37 top U.S. graduate institutions, mostly for doctoral degrees. All the participants are required to return to Vietnam after completing their academic programs in the United States.

The Vietnam Education Foundation's governing board of directors includes Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of the Treasury John Snow, Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings, U.S. Sens. John Kerry and Chuck Hagel, U.S. Reps. George Miller and Chris Smith, and six presidential appointees.

"It is our honor to have Purdue University among the VEF alliance schools," said foundation Chairman Frank Jao. "We select the best scholars in Vietnam, and Purdue will train them for a life of contributions to science and education. We are grateful for this joint effort."

Writer: MaggieMorris, (765) 494-2432, maggiemorris@purdue.edu

Source: John Contreni, (765) 494-2604, contreni@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

Note to Journalists: To interview Huang Le, contact Maggie Morris, Purdue News Service, at (765) 494-2432, maggiemorris@purdue.edu

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