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In Ho Chi Minh City, teachers use summer break to prepare Braille books for visually impaired students

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Instead of having a normal summer break, teachers at Nguyen Dinh Chieu Special School for the Visually Impaired in Ho Chi Minh City used their free time to prepare Braille books for a new curriculum for blind students.

“We did not take all our time enjoying the summer break,” Nguyen Thi Thanh Hue, principal of Nguyen Dinh Chieu Special High School for the Visually Impaired , told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

“This year, we all gathered at the school [in District 10] to create Braille books to help students adapt to the new high school curriculum.

“We want to provide our students with the best we can.”

To help their students keep up with the knowledge of the new curriculum this school year, the teachers had to convert the normal textbooks into Braille documents for grades three, seven, and ten that have new content.

Nguyen Huynh Vu Duy, a grade 3 student, reads a new Braille book made by his teachers. Photo: Ngoc Phuong - Pho Huong

Nguyen Huynh Vu Duy, a grade-three student, reads a new Braille book made by his teachers at Nguyen Dinh Chieu Special School for the Visually Impaired in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong – Pho Huong / Tuoi Tre

To that end, teachers had to translate the textbooks into Braille before applying for permission and having them printed in bulk so that the new textbooks would be available timely for the start of the new school year in September.

Braille books include a picture channel and a text channel. For the picture channel, the teachers first selected photos that could be converted into text. 

Teachers Phi Hung (left) and Dinh Hau engage with book pages with Braille characters. Photo: Ngoc Phuong - Pho Huong

Teachers Phi Hung (left) and Dinh Hau engage with book pages with Braille characters at Nguyen Dinh Chieu Special School for the Visually Impaired in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong – Pho Huong / Tuoi Tre

A complete book page in a Braille textbook created by teachers at Nguyen Dinh Chieu Special High School in HCMC. Photo: Ngoc Phuong - Pho Huong

A complete book page in a Braille textbook created by teachers at Nguyen Dinh Chieu Special High School for the Visually Impaired in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong – Pho Huong / Tuoi Tre

Then they designed them to be cut out, inserted them into the pages of the textbooks with photos and Braille characters, and finished the book-binding process in the final phase.

“Usually, I can paste three or four pages for each working section, but for pages with many details and characters, it took me all the working time to paste just one because I had to repeat the book-binding process many times,” said teacher Nguyen Thi Ngoc Han, who is in charge of pasting the books. 

A teacher uses a special typewriter to translate a normal textbook into Braille for visually impaired students. Photo: Ngoc Phuong - Pho Huong

A teacher uses a special typewriter to translate a normal textbook into Braille for visually impaired students at Nguyen Dinh Chieu Special School for the Visually Impaired in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong – Pho Huong / Tuoi Tre

Teacher Thanh Nga shows a new design for a book page with a picture of a Braille textbook. Photo: Ngoc Phuong - Pho Huong

Teacher Thanh Nga shows a new design for a book page with a picture of a Braille textbook. Photo: Ngoc Phuong – Pho Huong / Tuoi Tre

“I find the process of making Braille books very tedious, and the teachers had to be extremely meticulous at every stage,” said Le Nguyen Duy An, a former student of the special high school. “They are also highly creative in helping our students acquire comprehensive knowledge.”

“Our teachers’ dream is for all students to be able to read and understand by touching the pages of the books,” said teacher Han.

“We just expect our students to gain as much knowledge as possible from the books.”

Nguyen Thi Thanh Hue, center, the school principal assists a blind student. Photo: Ngoc Phuong - Pho Huong

Nguyen Thi Thanh Hue (C), principal of Nguyen Dinh Chieu Special School for the Visually Impaired in Ho Chi Minh City, assists a blind student. Photo: Ngoc Phuong – Pho Huong / Tuoi Tre

Teacher Ngoc Han gives a presentation on the new curriculum for grade 3 students. Photo: Ngoc Phuong - Pho Huong

Teacher Ngoc Han gives a presentation on the new curriculum for grade-three students at Nguyen Dinh Chieu Special School for the Visually Impaired in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong – Pho Huong / Tuoi Tre

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Source: https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/education/20221012/in-ho-chi-minh-city-teachers-use-summer-break-to-prepare-braille-books-for-visually-impaired-students/69508.html

Education

Gov’t approves establishment of $85mn new university in Ho Chi Minh City neighbor

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The government of Vietnam has given the green light to the development of Tam Anh University in Long An Province, which borders Ho Chi Minh City, according to a decision signed by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on Wednesday.

The Ministry of Education and Training was told to team up with relevant agencies to appraise a plan to develop the university as per prevailing regulations and report to the government for consideration.

Tam Anh University, whose investor is Tam Anh General Hospital JSC, is slated to get off the ground in 2024, requiring an estimated VND2 trillion (US$85 million) in investment.

The university will offer a range of courses across various disciplines, with a focus on medicine and healthcare.

Tam Anh General Hospital JSC’s current partnership with many major global pharmaceutical firms is expected to pave the way for the university to facilitate international cooperation in training and scientific research.

The university is expected to contribute to training high-quality human resources in the healthcare sector in particular and other fields.

The People’s Committee of Long An earlier wrote to the Ministry of Education and Training saying that the development of Tam Anh University aligned with the province’s planning for the 2021-30 period, with a vision toward 2050, and would meet the demand for high-quality human resources in the province and other localities nationwide.

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The government of Vietnam has given the green light to the development of Tam Anh University in Long An Province, which borders Ho Chi Minh City, according to a decision signed by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on Wednesday.

The Ministry of Education and Training was told to team up with relevant agencies to appraise a plan to develop the university as per prevailing regulations and report to the government for consideration.

Tam Anh University, whose investor is Tam Anh General Hospital JSC, is slated to get off the ground in 2024, requiring an estimated VND2 trillion (US$85 million) in investment.

The university will offer a range of courses across various disciplines, with a focus on medicine and healthcare.

Tam Anh General Hospital JSC’s current partnership with many major global pharmaceutical firms is expected to pave the way for the university to facilitate international cooperation in training and scientific research.

The university is expected to contribute to training high-quality human resources in the healthcare sector in particular and other fields.

The People’s Committee of Long An earlier wrote to the Ministry of Education and Training saying that the development of Tam Anh University aligned with the province’s planning for the 2021-30 period, with a vision toward 2050, and would meet the demand for high-quality human resources in the province and other localities nationwide.

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Source: https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/education/20230330/govt-approves-establishment-of-85mn-new-university-in-ho-chi-minh-city-neighbor/72364.html

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Education

Vietnamese students to compete in international autonomous vehicle competition

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Three teams of Vietnamese university students will compete with 21 teams from other countries in an international autonomous vehicle competition organized by Bosch in Romania in May.

Three Vietnamese teams advanced to the finals of the Bosch Future Mobility Challenge 2023 (BFMC), which will take place in Romania in May.

The teams include The Newbies from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, CEEC-UIT from the University of Information Technology under the Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City, and LH-CDC from Lac Hong University in Dong Nai Province.

BFMC is an international autonomous vehicle competition for students organized by the Bosch Technical Center in Romania since 2017.

Every year, the competition invites student teams from all over the world to develop autonomous driving and connectivity algorithms on 1:10 scale RC car models provided by Bosch, 

The cars run in an environment that simulates a miniature smart city.

The participants are assisted by Bosch experts and faculty members at their schools to develop algorithms related to autonomous cars, and come up with a plan for self-driving cars.

In 2023, 119 teams from universities around the world registered to compete in the BFMC. 

After the interview round, 74 teams met the requirements and received a 1:10 scale RC car model kit sponsored by Bosch to develop the algorithm.

Based on the videos, the judges selected 24 teams to compete in the world finals at the Bosch Technical Center in Cluj Napoca, Romania in May.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Three teams of Vietnamese university students will compete with 21 teams from other countries in an international autonomous vehicle competition organized by Bosch in Romania in May.

Three Vietnamese teams advanced to the finals of the Bosch Future Mobility Challenge 2023 (BFMC), which will take place in Romania in May.

The teams include The Newbies from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, CEEC-UIT from the University of Information Technology under the Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City, and LH-CDC from Lac Hong University in Dong Nai Province.

BFMC is an international autonomous vehicle competition for students organized by the Bosch Technical Center in Romania since 2017.

Every year, the competition invites student teams from all over the world to develop autonomous driving and connectivity algorithms on 1:10 scale RC car models provided by Bosch, 

The cars run in an environment that simulates a miniature smart city.

The participants are assisted by Bosch experts and faculty members at their schools to develop algorithms related to autonomous cars, and come up with a plan for self-driving cars.

In 2023, 119 teams from universities around the world registered to compete in the BFMC. 

After the interview round, 74 teams met the requirements and received a 1:10 scale RC car model kit sponsored by Bosch to develop the algorithm.

Based on the videos, the judges selected 24 teams to compete in the world finals at the Bosch Technical Center in Cluj Napoca, Romania in May.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Source: https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/education/20230322/vietnamese-students-to-compete-in-international-autonomous-vehicle-competition/72211.html

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Scandal-struck APAX Leaders English center chain chairman pledges refunds

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Nguyen Ngoc Thuy, also known as Shark Thuy, chairman of Apax Holdings JSC, the owner of the APAX Leaders English language center chain, on Wednesday promised to refund prepaid tuition fees to parents but he did not give the specific time for the refunding.

Thuy on Wednesday afternoon met with parents in Ho Chi Minh City for the first time since the start of APAX Leaders’ employee salary debt and tuition fee scandal.

Parents attend the meeting with leaders of APAX Leaders in Ho Chi Minh City on March 15, 2022. Photo: Trong Nhan / Tuoi Tre

Parents attend the meeting with leaders of APAX Leaders in Ho Chi Minh City on March 15, 2022. Photo: Trong Nhan / Tuoi Tre

Thuy said he needed more time, claiming that refunding the tuition fees at a difficult time of APAX Leaders would put students at a disadvantage.

“We are giving the priority to the early reopening of English language centers. This is also the best way for APAX Leaders to fulfill its commitments to parents,” Thuy added.

APAX Leaders will determine the numbers of parents who will let their children continue learning at APAX Leaders centers and those who wish to withdraw tuition fees.

“It is hard to concurrently do the two jobs,” Shark Thuy said.

“We need parents’ tolerance.”

APAX Leaders CEO Nguyen Anh Tuan said APAX Leaders will resume the operation of 30-33 centers nationwide in the first phase, including four to five centers in Ho Chi Minh City.

At least nine other centers will be reopened later, Tuan claimed.

In late April, 10-12 centers will come back on stream as per the road map for the second phase.

An additional eight centers across the country will resume their opreations between late June and early July so that all APAX Leaders centers can be back active by the end of this year, Tuan noted.

He informed that APAX Leaders has identified over 1,350 students who have not completed the classes that they had paid for and the identification process is ongoing.

The chain receives parents’ information between 8:00 am and 9:00 pm every day at an APAX Leaders center on Phan Xich Long Street in Ho Chi Minh City.

“We are actively reviewing all English language center operation processes and regulations and ensuring human resources at the centers. However, the process may take about three to four months,” Tuan said.

Earlier at the meeting, T., whose child used to study at an APAX Leaders center, said he has lost faith in APAX Leaders.

He already paid nearly VND100 million (US$4,224) in tuition fees but his child has not been arranged into any class for over half a year.

For the past three months, T. has contacted APAX Leaders many times but he has yet to be refunded.

Meanwhile, the studying schedule has been repeatedly delayed due to the center chain’s so-called restructuring.

“I just need the refunds,” T. underscored.

Parents hold banners asking APAX Leaders to refund the tuition fees and calling on the involvement of state agencies. Photo: Trong Nhan / Tuoi Tre

Parents hold banners asking APAX Leaders to refund their tuition fees and calling on state agencies to step in. Photo: Trong Nhan / Tuoi Tre

H., another parent, said, “Each family has their own circumstance. We have a simple order that our money be returned.”

Meanwhile, N., whose child used to study English at the Him Lam campus of the APAX Leaders chain, wanted to know the refund plan.

“We borrowed loans from banks to pay the tuition in advance, so we do not accept your vague answers. I need a specific time frame for the refunding,” said K., the father of a student.

Earlier, many parents had accused APAX Leaders of appropriating tuition fees as the chain accepted the tuition for long-term courses but failed to run classes.

Many former employees also accused the chain of owing them their salaries.

Nguyen Ngoc Thuy, chairman of Apax Holdings JSC, the owner of the APAX Leaders, at the meeting in Ho Chi Minh City on March 15, 2022. Photo: Trong Nhan / Tuoi Tre

Nguyen Ngoc Thuy, chairman of Apax Holdings JSC, the owner of the APAX Leaders English language center chain, at the meeting in Ho Chi Minh City on March 15, 2022. Photo: Trong Nhan / Tuoi Tre

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Nguyen Ngoc Thuy, also known as Shark Thuy, chairman of Apax Holdings JSC, the owner of the APAX Leaders English language center chain, on Wednesday promised to refund prepaid tuition fees to parents but he did not give the specific time for the refunding.

Thuy on Wednesday afternoon met with parents in Ho Chi Minh City for the first time since the start of APAX Leaders’ employee salary debt and tuition fee scandal.

Parents attend the meeting with leaders of APAX Leaders in Ho Chi Minh City on March 15, 2022. Photo: Trong Nhan / Tuoi Tre

Parents attend the meeting with leaders of APAX Leaders in Ho Chi Minh City on March 15, 2022. Photo: Trong Nhan / Tuoi Tre

Thuy said he needed more time, claiming that refunding the tuition fees at a difficult time of APAX Leaders would put students at a disadvantage.

“We are giving the priority to the early reopening of English language centers. This is also the best way for APAX Leaders to fulfill its commitments to parents,” Thuy added.

APAX Leaders will determine the numbers of parents who will let their children continue learning at APAX Leaders centers and those who wish to withdraw tuition fees.

“It is hard to concurrently do the two jobs,” Shark Thuy said.

“We need parents’ tolerance.”

APAX Leaders CEO Nguyen Anh Tuan said APAX Leaders will resume the operation of 30-33 centers nationwide in the first phase, including four to five centers in Ho Chi Minh City.

At least nine other centers will be reopened later, Tuan claimed.

In late April, 10-12 centers will come back on stream as per the road map for the second phase.

An additional eight centers across the country will resume their opreations between late June and early July so that all APAX Leaders centers can be back active by the end of this year, Tuan noted.

He informed that APAX Leaders has identified over 1,350 students who have not completed the classes that they had paid for and the identification process is ongoing.

The chain receives parents’ information between 8:00 am and 9:00 pm every day at an APAX Leaders center on Phan Xich Long Street in Ho Chi Minh City.

“We are actively reviewing all English language center operation processes and regulations and ensuring human resources at the centers. However, the process may take about three to four months,” Tuan said.

Earlier at the meeting, T., whose child used to study at an APAX Leaders center, said he has lost faith in APAX Leaders.

He already paid nearly VND100 million (US$4,224) in tuition fees but his child has not been arranged into any class for over half a year.

For the past three months, T. has contacted APAX Leaders many times but he has yet to be refunded.

Meanwhile, the studying schedule has been repeatedly delayed due to the center chain’s so-called restructuring.

“I just need the refunds,” T. underscored.

Parents hold banners asking APAX Leaders to refund the tuition fees and calling on the involvement of state agencies. Photo: Trong Nhan / Tuoi Tre

Parents hold banners asking APAX Leaders to refund their tuition fees and calling on state agencies to step in. Photo: Trong Nhan / Tuoi Tre

H., another parent, said, “Each family has their own circumstance. We have a simple order that our money be returned.”

Meanwhile, N., whose child used to study English at the Him Lam campus of the APAX Leaders chain, wanted to know the refund plan.

“We borrowed loans from banks to pay the tuition in advance, so we do not accept your vague answers. I need a specific time frame for the refunding,” said K., the father of a student.

Earlier, many parents had accused APAX Leaders of appropriating tuition fees as the chain accepted the tuition for long-term courses but failed to run classes.

Many former employees also accused the chain of owing them their salaries.

Nguyen Ngoc Thuy, chairman of Apax Holdings JSC, the owner of the APAX Leaders, at the meeting in Ho Chi Minh City on March 15, 2022. Photo: Trong Nhan / Tuoi Tre

Nguyen Ngoc Thuy, chairman of Apax Holdings JSC, the owner of the APAX Leaders English language center chain, at the meeting in Ho Chi Minh City on March 15, 2022. Photo: Trong Nhan / Tuoi Tre

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Source: https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/education/20230316/scandalstruck-apax-leaders-english-center-chain-chairman-pledges-refunds/72126.html

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