- In response to the project ‘Computer support for rural and remote schools’, CSC Vietnam has handed over 40 second-hand computers to the Saigon Times Foundation (STF) under the Saigon Times Group. The computers will be presented to Phan Dinh Phung Secondary School in Ninh Phuoc District in the central province of Ninh Thuan and Loc Tan Secondary School in Bao Lam District in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong. Last year, the company contributed 20 used computers to the project. A group of volunteers from the firm will directly support pupils of those schools in the project with information technology knowledge. STF launched the project in 2010 and since then has received 170 used computers and information technology equipment from firms including CSC Vietnam, PepsiCo Vietnam and Hogan Lovell International LLP. So far, the non-profit organization has delivered 130 computers and equipment to schools in the Mekong Delta, central region and Central Highlands. (thesaigontimes.vn May 5)
- Vietnam’s central city of Hue has operated the first phase of the Hue eye hospital project that was funded by the Australian non-governmental organization, Fred Hollows Foundation (FHF). Kick-started in March 2010, on an area of 11,000sq.m in the Nam Vi Da planning area, the hospital was built at a cost of about VND26.8 billion ($1.28 million), including $300,000 from the FHF. The hospital, the fourth largest ophthalmologic treatment center in Vietnam, is capable of providing eye treatment for 100-200 out-patients and serving 70-100 in-patients daily. Addressing the launching ceremony, Standing Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Ngo Hoa expressed deep gratitude to the FHF for its financial support to the project, and hoped that the organization will provide further support to completely implement the project in the future. (Nhan Dan – The People May 3)
- A school partly funded by the Educational Development Memorial Foundation of South Korea has been opened in the northern city of Viet Tri. The junior secondary school on 13,000sq m in Van Phu Ward cost VND40 billion ($1.9 million). It will hold 700 junior high school students. The Educational Development Memorial Foundation of South Korea put up VND16 billion ($770,000) with the balance coming from Phu Tho Province. The school and South Korea will exchange students. (Vietnam News May 3)