Prime Minister hopes US universities increase scholarships for Vietnamese students

US Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh wants San Francisco University to grant more scholarships to Vietnamese students, focusing on innovation, digital transformation, circular economy...

On the morning of September 18 (early morning of September 19, Vietnam time), Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited and spoke at the University of San Francisco (USF) - a private Catholic university, the second oldest university in California.

Father Paul J. Fitzgerald, SJ, the 28th President of USF, said the school's students come from all 50 states of the United States and 111 countries and territories. The number of Vietnamese students here is about 80 people, the third largest in the international student community (after China and India).

"Vietnamese students are very smart and hard-working," he said.

The Prime Minister said the visit of the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation is more meaningful as Vietnam and the US are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Comprehensive Partnership (2013-2023) and have just upgraded it to the framework of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during President Joe Biden's visit to Vietnam.

The joint statement of the leaders of Vietnam and the US emphasized that education and training cooperation is one of the focuses of the bilateral relationship, especially in training high-quality human resources, helping Vietnam achieve its development goals. Vietnam also identified education as a top national policy and one of the three breakthroughs is training high-quality human resources.

Vietnam-US educational cooperation has grown strongly in recent years, with USF contributing to it. Currently, universities of the two countries have about 50 joint training programs. Vietnam always hopes to expand cooperation and development with US educational and training institutions.

"I hope that the University of San Francisco will provide more scholarships for Vietnamese students, focusing on new fields such as innovation, digital transformation, green transformation, circular economy, and sharing economy - areas where Vietnam is in need of human resources," said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

The Prime Minister also hopes that Vietnamese students at USF will promote the spirit of studiousness, patriotism, and effort in studying, mastering new knowledge and technology, affirming that Vietnamese people are not inferior in any field compared to the world.

USF is ranked 115th in the 2024 US News College Rankings (one of the four most prestigious university rankings in the world). Tuition here is about 58,000 USD (1.4 billion VND) a year.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visits and talks with lecturers and students of the University of San Francisco (USF). Photo: Nhat Bac — Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visits and talks with lecturers and students of the University of San Francisco (USF). Photo: *Nhat Bac*

The Head of Government agreed with the sharing of the Principal - Father Paul J. Fitzgerald, SJ about the contributions of religions in Vietnamese history, including the process of forming the national language.

The Prime Minister affirmed that the Vietnamese State has consistently implemented a policy of respecting and ensuring people's freedom of belief and religion, and the right to follow or not follow a religion. Vietnam ensures equality and non-discrimination on the basis of religion and belief; and protects the activities of religious organizations by law.

"If anyone does not understand about Vietnam, about Vietnam's ethnic and religious policies, I would like to ask USF teachers and students to explain it to them. We are also willing to invite everyone to visit Vietnam to witness with their own eyes the implementation of ethnic and religious policies in Vietnam," he said.

Father Paul J. Fitzgerald, S.J., 28th President of the University of San Francisco, receives a gift from Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to the school. Photo: Nhat Bac — Father Paul J. Fitzgerald, SJ, 28th President of the University of San Francisco, receives a gift from Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to the school. Photo: *Nhat Bac*

In addition, the Prime Minister emphasized that the Government always encourages students to return to build the country, but respects their choices.

"The State encourages you to continue to improve your capacity and qualifications. When you return and make better contributions, the country is ready to welcome you," said the Prime Minister, noting that a decree has been issued to attract and create a source of cadres from excellent graduates and young researchers since 2017.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh arrived in San Francisco on the afternoon of September 17, beginning a working trip to the US that will last until September 23. During his six-day stay in the US, the Prime Minister will visit three cities: San Francisco, Washington, and New York to attend meetings at the United Nations General Assembly, combined with bilateral activities.

Vietnam has more than 20,000 students studying in the US, ranking in the top 5 in terms of the number of international students here.

Hoang Thuy

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