Bringing Vietnamese education initiatives to the finals of prestigious US university startups

The project was developed and presented by two co-founders of NNTT Malaysia: Tran Thi Tuong Anh, currently a sophomore majoring in Economics and a minor in Data Science at Wesleyan with a full Freeman scholarship worth VND9 billion (2023) and Tran Viet Bach, who has just received an invitation to study the IB program at the United World Colleges (UWC ISAK) in Japan, from August 2025. On April 12, surpassing more than 30 outstanding applications from many countries around the world, NNTT Malaysia was named in the list of this year's most outstanding social initiatives and won a prize worth US$3,000.

Tuong Anh, founder and CEO of NNTT Malaysia at the final round presentation of the New Venture Award startup competition at Wesleyan University, USA

Proud milestone

Sharing his joy about this event, Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, founder of the NNTT network, said, “I had the opportunity to visit Wesleyan University in 2023.

This is one of the most prestigious and storied liberal arts colleges in the United States. The New Venture Awards, initiated by the Patricelli Center for Social Entrepreneurship, are the school's most prestigious awards, honoring initiatives that create positive impacts on the community.

The fact that NNTT Malaysia was named as a finalist and won the award is a worthy achievement. Following the 2023 Literacy and Spreading Knowledge Award from the US Library of Congress, this achievement once again affirms that the NNTT Network is joining the flow of global efforts to connect knowledge and promote lifelong learning.

Tuong Anh is in the list of initiatives participating in the final round, posted on the website of the Patricelli Center for Social Enterprise, Wesleyan University.

The project that Tuong Anh and Viet Bach brought to this year's startup forum is drawn from the successes and practical experiences in the operations of NNTT Malaysia since its establishment in 2021.

The overall goal of the program is to narrow the educational gap between urban and rural children by connecting global resources and knowledge. The project is implemented on the basis of three main pillars: improving English proficiency; nurturing a love of books and reading culture; and personal development through mentoring and companionship programs.

English – Books – Personal Development Companion: The Journey of Endurance

Specifically, NNTT Malaysia continues to expand free English classes both in person and online, helping rural students improve their communication and practice skills with native teachers. The program will collaborate with Nhan Ai Bookcase to bring books to remote areas and build reading promotion programs to inspire a passion for reading and the spirit of self-study. In addition, the project will coordinate with the global NNTT network connecting international professors, experts and volunteers to support students' personal development. Through seminars, sharing exchanges and 1-1 mentoring programs, students will be equipped with life skills, from communication, teamwork, to critical thinking and career orientation.

Viet Bach hosted an online exchange session on “personal development and lifelong learning” with Associate Professor Shannon Gramse and students from the University of Alaska Anchorage (USA), and students from Duc Pho Vocational Training Center, Quang Ngai.

Viet Bach hosted an online exchange session on “personal development and lifelong learning” with Associate Professor Shannon Gramse and students from the University of Alaska Anchorage (USA), and students from Duc Pho Vocational Training Center, Quang Ngai.

Talking to us, Tuong Anh said: “Up to now, NNTT Malaysia has implemented 15 free English courses with diverse content such as grammar, communication, English math; nearly 30 exchanges and seminars with international experts and lecturers. In particular, NNTT Malaysia has coordinated with the University of Alaska Anchorage, under the leadership of Professor Shannon Gramse, to organize monthly sharing sessions, where American students accompany and guide them with necessary skills for the future. These activities have brought positive learning and development opportunities to thousands of students in Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Ngai, Dong Nai and Son La provinces”.

More than an award

Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, founder of NNTT and co-founder of Nhan Ai Bookcase, and leader of 2 programs took a photo with Tuong Anh at Wesleyan University library.

Mr. Nguyen Quoc Huy, CEO of the Nhan Ai Bookshelf program, acknowledged the practical contributions of Tuong Anh and Viet Bach in the free English teaching program at Duc Pho Primary School, Quang Ngai. He said: “The two of you started teaching English in the summer of 2021, when the children were still learning the first simple conversations. Classes took place regularly every summer, and by the summer of 2024, the children in Duc Pho were confident in communicating fluently with professors and students of the University of Alaska Anchorage in online seminars without the need for an interpreter. This journey demonstrates the long-term commitment of both learners and teachers, not only to improve foreign language skills, but also to open up valuable connections in knowledge and culture beyond national borders.”

The New Venture Awards do not stop at the honoring and awarding ceremony, Tuong Anh and Viet Bach are also supported and accompanied by leading experts at the Patricelli Center to continue developing the project, contributing to creating positive changes for the community in the future.

Wisdom House is a philanthropic program in the fields of culture and education. To date, the program has created and maintained more than 300 completely free lifelong learning spaces in 17 provinces and cities of Vietnam and 5 other countries (Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the US), helping more than 10,000 members, especially people and children in poor rural areas, have the opportunity to study quality with the support of hundreds of leading experts, professors, and volunteer lecturers in Vietnam and internationally.

Wisdom House has been awarded many national and international awards and certificates, including the 2023 Library of Congress Literacy and Knowledge Dissemination Award, in the category of “Excellent Practice”.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/dua-sang-kien-giao-duc-viet-den-chung-ket-khoi-nghiep-dai-hoc-danh-tieng-my-311383.html