RMIT expands Opportunity Scholarship program

RMIT expands Opportunity Scholarship program

RMIT University offers four Opportunity Scholarships for disadvantaged students in 2020.

The University recently established a partnership with four not-for-profit organisations - REACH, KOTO, Vietnam Blind Association, and Sao Mai Center for the Blind - to offer four scholarships, worth on average 1.5 billion VND each.

RMIT Vietnam Executive Dean, Professor Rick Bennett, said that the new approach will give life-changing opportunities to more disadvantaged Vietnamese people who otherwise cannot access higher education.

“RMIT has been operating in Vietnam since 2000 under a not-for-profit model, with profits remaining in Vietnam and reinvested back into the University by presenting scholarships, improving teaching facilities and sharing teaching methodologies with local universities,” Professor Bennett said.

“For 2020, RMIT is reinvesting US$2 million (approximately 47 billion VND) in scholarships.

“Our scholarship program aims to ensure that talented Vietnamese students have the opportunity to excel through an international standard of higher education. As part of our annual program, since 2014, and with a closer focus on community impact, RMIT Vietnam has awarded 12 scholarships to students who are living under disadvantaged circumstances both physically and financially, with a total value of more than 19.5 billion VND.”

As well as receiving a full English and Higher Education tuition fee, monthly living stipend, accommodation, a laptop and home travel allowance (if applicable), the successful recipients will benefit from the expertise and global experience of RMIT’s academic staff, high-quality facilities and infrastructure, as well as an industry-informed curriculum and strong industry connections.

Professor Bennett emphasised the many other opportunities for scholarship recipients to improve their soft skills and broaden their horizons.

“These include, but are not limited to, extracurricular activities organised by student clubs and societies, the Personal Edge program, and study abroad opportunities at one of our 200 partner universities from all over the world.”

Sao Mai Center for the Blind Executive Director Mr Dang Hoai Phuc and RMIT Executive Dean Professor Rick Bennett at the MoU signing ceremony on 18 March 2020. Sao Mai Center for the Blind Executive Director Mr Dang Hoai Phuc and RMIT Executive Dean Professor Rick Bennett at the MoU signing ceremony on 18 March 2020.

The University recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the four NGOs at its Saigon South campus in order to collaborate on the scholarship selection process and other relevant activities.

“Each NGO will promote the RMIT Scholarship through their own channels, collect applications, identify and shortlist applicants on behalf of RMIT Vietnam, and refer them to RMIT for the final decision,” Professor Bennett said. “They will collaborate with our Work Integrated Learning (WIL) courses, where they could be clients to our students and provide real-world problems for them to solve. The NGOs can also provide guest talks, conduct workshops and/ or seminars and, where possible, provide help and support for RMIT to best facilitate the recipient from their organisation.”

Member of the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Blind Association and Ho Chi Minh City Blind Association Chairman Mr Nguyen Dinh Kien with Professor Rick Bennett at the MoU signing ceremony. Member of the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Blind Association and Ho Chi Minh City Blind Association Chairman Mr Nguyen Dinh Kien with Professor Rick Bennett at the MoU signing ceremony.

Vietnam Blind Association Vice President Dinh Viet Anh said she looked forward to cooperating with RMIT Vietnam in the new scholarship program. 

“This significant program will create opportunities for young visually impaired people to develop their capacity, find good jobs in the future, and contribute to the development of society,” Ms Anh said.  

Executive Director of REACH Vietnam Ms Pham Thi Thanh Tam and Professor Rick Bennett at the MOU signing ceremony. Executive Director of REACH Vietnam Ms Pham Thi Thanh Tam and Professor Rick Bennett at the MOU signing ceremony.

Ms Pham Thi Thanh Tam, Executive Director of REACH Vietnam (a not-for-profit organisation that specialises in vocational training and employment for Vietnam’s most disadvantaged youths) also said she was delighted by the new arrangement.

“This new partnership between REACH and RMIT offers a ray of hope for graduates from the program, offering them an exciting pathway for the future that they could never imagine before. They could have a truly life-changing experience,” she said.

___

NGO’s brief profiles

REACH is a local NGO specialising in vocational training and employment for Vietnam’s most disadvantaged youth. It was established in 2008, and currently runs 11 different vocational training courses in six centres across Vietnam. Training and supporting up to 1,100 disadvantaged Vietnamese annually, REACH now has more than 17,000 graduates from the program. REACH's vision is for all young people in Vietnam to have the opportunities and support they need to reach their full potential.

Established in 1999, KOTO, which stands for Know One, Teach One, is a non-profit social enterprise that empowers at-risk and disadvantaged youth in Vietnam through its internationally recognised holistic hospitality training program. Currently, KOTO provides nearly 200 trainees aged 16-22 with accommodation, meals, healthcare and social welfare services as well as vocational training.  Graduating with an Australian Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification, KOTO has enabled almost 1,000 disadvantaged youth in Vietnam to break the cycle of poverty.

Sao Mai Center for the Blind is a non-profit organisation. Its mission is to empower visually impaired people through the development and application of assistive technology in education, employment and independent living.

Vietnam Blind Association (VBA) is a specialised social organisation established in 1969. VBA’s mission is to locate and support blind people with social skills, education and employment activities, and to create an environment for them to integrate into society. VBA has member organisations from central to district levels at 56 provinces and cities with 74,390 members nationwide.

08 April 2020

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