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Encouraging the sustainable development of IT skills in Vietnam has been a long-held priority for HP Vietnam. Now thanks to a new scholarship program, the company has again proved this commitment, with a unique opportunity for two bright, young Vietnamese students.
As part of the 'Rising up for Success' program, HP provided the opportunity for students throughout Vietnam to have their chance to win a 50% scholarship for one of three RMIT Vietnam degree programs: a Bachelor of Commerce, a Bachelor of Applied Science (IT & Multimedia) and a Bachelor of Applied Science (IT with a business focus).
With hundreds of entries received from high school students throughout the country, two students were finally selected — Tran Tuan Tai (19) from Ho Chi Minh City and Huynh Anh Huy (20) from Danang.
Both students will receive a scholarship which covers 50% of the total fees for their chosen degree program, including book rental for their entire degree. Importantly however, a scholarship at RMIT Vietnam will give them an opportunity to earn an international degree, without having to leave the country.
RMIT Vietnam is a subsidiary of one of the largest and most well known universities in Australia, the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT).
Benefits for the broader community
HP launched the program this year to encourage the adoption of technology within higher education environments, as well as providing members of the Vietnamese community with increased access to the benefits of the information age.
'Our country is at the stage of development where it needs people skilled in computer sciences and electrical engineering,' said Ms Thuan Tran Thi Minh, Managing Director, HP Vietnam.
'We recognize that education is the single most effective lever for increasing economic prosperity.
'Information technology can and should be the major agent for improving the education of our young people and developing their professional opportunities.
'HP is pleased to partner with a reputable institution such as RMIT Vietnam to invest in scholarships that will hopefully make a long-lasting meaningful impact on the students' lives by making it possible for them to realise their dreams,' she said.
According to the President of RMIT Vietnam, Mr Michael Mann, the scholarship provides an opportunity for HP and RMIT to partner together to deliver the highest possible quality education to the selected winners.
'The commitment that HP has made to the intellectual development of young people in Vietnam is to be commended. This scholarship program is also tailored to meet the development needs of the emerging economy in Vietnam,' he said.
Top of the class
As part of their winning form, Tai and Huy were judged on their CV and an essay that outlined the value that an education would bring to them, as well as to the broader society. Criteria for selection also included a rigorous examination of academic capabilities, with entrants required to have a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 580 or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) of 6.5 and an average of at least 7/10 from Year 12.
According to both Tai and Huy, the scholarships will play a vital role in their academic journeys.
Pursuing a degree in a Bachelor of Applied Science, Tai said that the scholarship would really help support him through University.
'I am truly touched that corporations such as Hewlett-Packard care about improving education conditions in Vietnam and actively contribute to the training of qualified graduates,' Tai said.
'The value of the HP scholarship is not limited to its financial value — it will also be pivotal in making me strive for mastery in my study and research to ensure I can make a valuable contribution to society.'
For Huy who had to abandon his studies in the United States last year, the scholarship has refocussed his energies on completing his studies in Vietnam.
'With this scholarship, I feel re-energized to pursue an internationally recognized university degree without having to leave home,' Huy said.
In addition to the financial support of the scholarship, the program also makes the two winners eligible to complete their one semester internship position at HP, with a chance to become an HP employee following graduation.
'I have long admired the HP culture and it is fantastic that we may have the opportunity to experience our internships in such a unique and dynamic environment,' Tai said.
Part of the bigger picture
HP's work to support the ongoing development of IT in Vietnam's education sector doesn't stop there and the scholarships are only one of many initiatives designed to help local educational institutions.
From small rural schools to large universities, HP has an extensive program to help local education bodies with grants, scholarships and donations of products and systems.
In recent years for example, HP set up an IT classroom for the School for Disabled Children of An Giang Province, in addition to an IT laboratory for Ho Chi Minh City Department for Science, Technology and Environment. The company also donated a computer laboratory to the College of Technology of Danang to improve IT education and training conditions for students. As further examples, HP financed a computer laboratory for the Ministry of Education and has also donated IT equipment to the University of Science and the Vinh Linh School, Quang Tri.
It's all part of HP Vietnam's unwavering commitment to helping the ongoing development of local education communities throughout the country. Now, thanks to the commitment of organisations like HP, students around Vietnam are increasingly embracing IT as an integral and valuable part of their education.
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