Introduction
The project "Scientific English Immersion with Hands-on Experimentation on Microbial Plastic Degradation in Vietnam" by Prof. Dr. Meden Isaac-Lam and Dr. Nhon Dang, alumni from the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program and Fulbright Study of the U.S. respectively, and their collaborators, won the 2024 Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund (CDAF) competition funded by the U.S. Department of State (https://alumni.state.gov/welcome-us-exchange-alumni/citizen-diplomacy-action-fund-cdaf/2024-winners).
Description
Under the themes of protecting the Environment, and Building Community Through Language and Technology, the project aims to inform the next generation in Vietnam on ways to protect their environment. Our approach is to provide training and education about the environment for the health and well-being of the community. Instruction will be accomplished in English being the universal language as the tool in learning. Having green, clean and sustainable environment creates responsible business practices that can boost the economy. Knowledge and application of good science and state-of-the-art technology will position the country for global competition.
The approach of this project in addressing the challenges of pollution in Vietnam can be summarized in several interconnecting categories to provide TheBEST for the future generation in Vietnam.
The approach of this project in addressing the challenges of pollution in Vietnam can be summarized in several interconnecting categories to provide TheBEST for the future generation in Vietnam.
Training, Teaching and Education
Health and Well-being
English as Universal Language
Business Practices
Environmental Protection
Science
Technology
Objectives
Objective 1: Enriching the level of English and science education in universities through reading several peer-reviewed scientific publications specifically about plastic pollution, and writing manuscript review. This will open opportunity for non-science (other majors aside from science) participants to learn science and technology, and for science participants to uplift their English level into an international competence.
Objective 2: Motivating participants to learn technology, science, and business in protecting the environment by providing access to computer simulation, in-person hands-on experimentation on microbial plastic degradation, and business workshop. This will raise awareness on the impact of plastic pollution on the ecosystem, the economy, and human health.
Objective 2: Motivating participants to learn technology, science, and business in protecting the environment by providing access to computer simulation, in-person hands-on experimentation on microbial plastic degradation, and business workshop. This will raise awareness on the impact of plastic pollution on the ecosystem, the economy, and human health.
Timeline
July 2024: Online training with 04 modules divided into each weekend
August 2024: On-site training at Tan Tao University, Long An
November 2024: Online A&Q and orientation
Project Team
Team Lead
Leading, organizing, and instructing participants in reading and writing journal-style scientific manuscripts, as well as providing instructions on laboratory safety, ethics, data acquisition, and manuscript submission, while coordinating team members' goals.
Meden F. Isaac-Lam, Ph.D.
Professor of Chemistry
Team Co-Lead
Screening participants for their English level, teaching English for science and technology, and assessing progress of participants before and after the project..
Nhon Dang, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Languages
Team Member
Coaching, mentoring and supervising participants on the hands-on experiments on how to degrade plastic using biological methods in the laboratory setting.
Quang Ta Van, Ph.D.
Vice Dean, School of Biotechnology
Team Member
Lecturing on plastic pollution and the environment, and assisting in the recruitment of participants from several universities in the Mekong Delta via social media.
Dien Nguyen Thanh, Ph.D.
Head of Research Office
Team Member
Providing information to participants the impact of green technology and clean sustainable environment on the business sector and the economy in Vietnam.
Trung Nguyen, Ph.D.
Vice Dean, School of Economics and Business Administration
