Edward H. Jennings, president emeritus and finance professor at The Ohio State University, will discuss the framework for the United States' higher education system at a seminar in Hanoi, Vietnam Aug. 1-3.
Jennings, who was president of Ohio State from 1981-1990, will address a group of officials from the Vietnamese higher education system and education department at the seminar, which is sponsored by the Midwest Universities Consortium for International Activities, Inc. (MUCIA).
"Vietnam is looking toward moving its higher education system into a more university-style system modeled after the system in the United States," said Bill Flinn, director of MUCIA.
The current higher education system in Vietnam divides different areas of study, such as science and business, into separate educational institutes. The country has plans to combine the separate campuses into a comprehensive university system, similar to the system used in the United States, Flinn said.
Jennings has worked with several international organizations and universities, including the World Bank, which is helping Vietnam reorganize its higher education system.
Also scheduled to speak is Charlie Bender, director of the Ohio Supercomputer Center. Bender will address the types of computer technologies needed to successfully implement a western- style higher education system.
"The leaders of the universities in the Big Ten are interested in becoming world leaders in higher education," Flinn said. "This seminar is another step in that direction."