The U.S. Embassy in Hanoi has launched the latest iteration of an English-language scholarship program for disadvantaged Vietnamese students. Under this program, 96 outstanding middle and high school students from less developed districts in the provinces of Lao Cai, Son La, Bac Ninh and Quang Ninh will be sponsored to take part in English classes at local English language centers for two years. The English Access Microscholarship Program provides students better access to English to help them improve their skills which will be useful for jobs, open a window to new ideas, and make them better contributors to their families and country, U.S. Embassy Counselor for Public Affairs Terry J. White said at a ceremony held in Bac Ninh. Launched in 2009, the U.S. State Department’s English Access Microscholarship Program has supported over $500,000 for more than 250 students in the country. The U.S. has launched different education programs and scholarships to support Vietnamese students in a bid to open a new path to further education, including programs held in the U.S. The move is aimed to attract more Vietnams’ students to U.S. universities or U.S.-invested programs. Education is one of major fields in the Vietnam-U.S. comprehensive partnership. Currently, Vietnam has more than 16,000 students studying in the U.S., ranking 8th among countries having students over there. (vietnam.usembassy.gov Aug 9)
