The Vietnam Education Foundation 2011 Annual Report

Annual Report 2011 Page 21
VISITING SCHOLAR ALUMNI
As of September 2011, 28 Visiting Scholars completed their programs and returned to Vietnam [Appendix 18:
Visiting Scholar Alumni (28)]. Upon returning to Vietnam, they have conducted seminars and workshops,
implemented new research or cooperation projects, applied new teaching methods, and used the knowledge and
skills acquired in the United States to train others. They also play an essential role in strengthening the VEF
Alumni Network.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR VISITING SCHOLARS
Visiting Scholar training programs vary from five to 12 months in length. For each VEF Visiting Scholar, VEF
provides the U.S. host institution the total amount of the fixed monthly stipends ($2,300/month); the stipend is
prorated for any partial month. The number of months or partial months is calculated according to the dates of the
VEF Visiting Scholar's academic program as approved by the VEF Board of Directors for up to one year (12
months). The stipend is provided to cover reasonable living expenses in the United States, including lodging,
meals, local transportation, and incidentals.
As the Professional Development Grant (PDG), VEF also provides a $300-per-month grant for each VEF Visiting
Scholar for professional development expenses. The number of months or partial months is calculated according
to the dates of the VEF Visiting Scholar's academic program as approved by the VEF Board of Directors. The
total amount for the PDG for the period of the Visiting Scholar’s program is provided to the host university to be
distributed to the Visiting Scholar.
In addition, VEF provides the following financial support for a Visiting Scholar:
1. Pre-departure health check in Vietnam and any vaccinations required by the U.S. host institution;
2. Expenses to participate in the VEF Pre-Departure Orientation;
3. Settling-in allowance of $500;
4. Round-trip economy air ticket from Vietnam to the U.S. academic institution;
5. Required health/medical insurance in the United States;
6. Expenses to attend the VEF Annual Fellows and Scholars Conference in the United States during the
grant period, if the Visiting Scholar is already in the United States at the time of the conference.
GRANT LETTER FOR VISITING SCHOLARS OF COHORT 2011
VEF issued a comprehensive grant letter for each Visiting Scholar, which specifies the duration of the training
program and the obligations of the Scholar (Appendix 19: Terms and Conditions of the VEF Visiting Scholar
Grant for Cohort 2011). Serving as a reference for the specific terms of the Visiting Scholar Program, the grant
letter is initialed throughout and signed by the Visiting Scholar to acknowledge the agreement with VEF. The
letter also states the responsibilities of the Visiting Scholar, including the Visiting Scholar’s and his/her
dependents’ obligation to return to Vietnam after the completion of the training program.