(VNF) - General Secretary of the Vietnam – USA Society (VUS), Bui Van Nghi on July 26, held a reception for Deborah Stengle, Assistant Director of the International Students and Scholars Services, the Global Engagement Center of College of Stanten Island (CSI), the City University of New York (CUNY).

VUS General Secretary Bui Van Nghi presents the latest VUS journal to CSI representative, Deborah Stengle. (photo: PY)

At the reception, VUS’s general secretary briefed Stengle on the history, key missions and the evolution of VUS throughout different periods.

He noted the vital contribution of VUS to strengthening the Vietnam – US relations, via the participation in and assistance for numerous projects in postwar relief, cultural, educational exchange programmes. These projects are jointly conducted with US’s non-governmental organizations and universities, such as American Committee of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL), Friendship Forces International, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation, Fund for Reconciliation and Development, Denver University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, etc.

On the occasion, he also recalled the history of the two sides’ friendship, which was kick started over twenty years ago, when VUS joined with CSI to establish the VUS English Center.

During those early days, VUS played a crucial role in laying a firm foundation for the center, through helping them build a strong core team of teachers (who were CSI lecturers) and also with the building of training curriculum.

Nowadays, VUS English center has grown into a leading institution in language training in Vietnam, and still maintain close cooperation with CSI in over the last 20 years.

VUS General Secretary Bui Van Nghi (R) receive CSI representative Deborah Stengle (photo: PY).

For her part, Stengle was delighted to hear about the development pathway of Vietnam – US relations, as well as the endeavors of VUS, especially those that bring the two sides’ youth closer, and voiced her hope to dedicate efforts to the same kinds of projects, which will give the teachers and students from Vietnam to improve their English skills, understand more about the US and help the American peers gain more insights of Vietnam.

In addition, Stengle expressed her wish to explore more about Vietnam, the land and people, and hope to receive strong supports from VUS in these aforementioned plans.

On the same day, the representative of CSI visited two partnering institution of CSI in Hanoi, FPT School of Business and the Post and Telecommunication Institute of Technology to discuss cooperation opportunities./.

( Phi Yen )