From January 3rd - 5th, 2010 in Troy, New York, Vietnam Education Foundation (VEF), in cooperation with the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), convened the 7th Annual Conference for 185 VEF Fellows, Visiting Scholars who are studying and doing academic training in the U.S. and 3 U.S. Faculty Scholars, who are teaching at Vietnamese universities either on site in Vietnam or via video conference. The main theme of this conference was "Leaders of the Future: Entrepreneurs", which was reflected through many meaningful activities, including motivational talks, networking, and "All the Ways Home" sessions. The Job Fair at the Annual Conference helped VEF Fellows and Scholars to establish important contacts with Vietnamese universities and research institutes as well as international companies involved in Vietnam that want to recruit talented and outstanding VEF Fellows into their workforce. In addition, academic and recreational activities were held to enhance the connection among participants.

During the conference, the following keynote speakers from Vietnam and the U.S. gave presentations sharing their valuable experiences about leadership, entrepreneurship, career development, and working opportunities in Vietnam:

• Dr. Nguyen Quan, Vice Minister, Vietnam Ministry of Science and Technology
• Dr. Nguyen Xuan Vang, Director General of the Vietnam International Education Department, Vietnam Ministry of Education and Training (Via video)
• Dr. Robert Chernow, Vice Provost for Entrepreneurship, RPI
• Dr. Hung Quang Ngo, Professor, Computer Science Department,State University of New York at Buffalo
• Mr. Hoang Bao Nguyen, Managing Partner of International Data Group (IDG) Ventures Vietnam
• Mr. Khai Quang Vuong, Vice President of Web Business, VinaGame

Furthermore, seven parallel scientific sections with multiple presentations were presented by the VEF Fellows and Visiting Scholars introducing their research activities.

This year’s Annual Conference was a valuable opportunity for professional career development, networking, and scientific discussions.

IMMIGRATION MATTERS + Q&A

Immigration Matters by Ms. Sandarshi Gunawardena, Program Officer, VEF

U.S. FACULTY SCHOLAR PRESENTATIONS

GRANT #1 - Team Teaching - Spring 2010 - Videoconferencing by
Dr. Quyen D. Chu, M.D., Fellow of the America College of Surgeon (F.A.C.S.), Associate Professor, Louisiana State University
Dr. Hung S. Ho, M.D., Fellow of the America College of Surgeon (F.A.C.S.), Professor, Surgery Clinic at University of California, Davis, School of Medicine

GRANT #2 - Academic Year 2009-2010 - On-site in Vietnam by
Dr. Findlay Gordon Edwards, Ph.D., Associate Professor, University of Arkansas Field: Environmental Engineering

THE OPENCOURSEWARE CONSORTIUM (OCWC)

The OpenCourseWare Consortium (OCWC) by Mary Lou Forward, Executive Director, OpenCourseWare Consortium

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Leaders of the Future: Entrepreneurs by Dr. Robert Chernow, Vice Provost for Entrepreneurship, RPI

LEADERSHIP

Elevator Pitches and Public Speaking byTracy Schierenbeck
Team Development by Annie Virkus

ON-CAMPUS TOUR

Rensselaer Incubator Center
The Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies

ALL THE WAYS HOME

Entrepreneurship by Mr. Khai Quang Vuong, Vice President of Web Business, VinaGame
Academic Careers by Mr. Hung Quang Ngo, Professor, Computer Science Department, State University of New York at Buffalo

Taken by Photographer:
VEF 7th Annual Conference

Provided to VEF by Fellows:
7th VEF Annual Conference by TRAN Viet Hung (Fellow 2007)
Gala Dinner by LE Ro To (Fellow 2007)
BookDrive by LE Ro To (Fellow 2007)
Recreational Activities by LE Ro To (Fellow 2007)
Others by LE Ro To (Fellow 2007)