Curtin University’s Professor David Wood has been recognised for his contribution to education in Vietnam.
Professor Wood, Curtin’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, International, was presented with the Medal for Educational Achievements (Ky niem chuong Vi su nghiep giao duc) by Tran Ba Viet Dzung, Director General, International Cooperation, Ministry of Education and Training on 26 November.
The award, Vietnam’s most prestigious education honour, was presented to Professor Wood in recognition for his involvement with Southeast Asian Ministers’ of Education Organisation Regional Training Centre’s (SEAMEO RETRAC) Master of Arts (Applied Linguistics) program.
Run by Curtin University and SEAMEO RETRAC, the program is designed for Vietnamese professionals working in the field of language teaching.
The full-time, year-long program has been offered since 2005 in Ho Chi Minh City and concentrates on teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). The course is designed for teachers already working or intending to work in Vietnam. A maximum of 40 students are admitted into the two annual cohorts.
“The program is helping to increase the English language capacity of the Vietnamese school students and people because the teachers who graduate from the program go back to their local community or to teach in a school,” Professor Wood said.
He said some graduates had then undertaken their PhD with Curtin in Perth.
Professor Wood, who has had a strong affinity with Vietnam since the 1970s, said he was humbled to receive the award.
“For me, the success of the program has been a great reward in itself,” he said.
“To receive recognition from the Vietnamese government for undertaking this work is very gratifying”
Professor Wood said Curtin’s School of Education, which had developed, taught and assessed the program, had played an enormous role in its success.
“Curtin’s School of Education has played a very critical role in the delivery and maintenance of the quality program. It’s been a great team effort,” he said.
Notes to editor:
SEAMEO RETRAC helps SEAMEO Member Countries, especially Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam, to identify and tackle problems of leadership and management in education at all levels.
SEAMEO RETRAC directs its efforts on educational issues by undertaking innovative, relevant programs through research, training, consultancy, and staff exchanges, and by fostering regional and international partnerships.
SEAMEO RETRAC also offers language training, teacher training, ICT and other training programs customised to the learners’ needs.
For more information visit http://www.vnseameo.org/
Contacts:
Professor David Wood, DVC International
Tel: 9266 3064, Email: d.wood@curtin.edu.au
Denise Cahill, Public Relations, Curtin University
Tel: 08 9266 1931, Mobile: 0401 103 683, Email: d.cahill@curtin.edu.au
Web: http://curtin.edu.au
