A partnership between CSU and Foreign Trade University in Hanoi, Vietnam is giving some Colorado State University professors the opportunity to teach abroad while learning a bit about different cultures at the same time.
A sign on campus at Foreign Trade University in Hanoi, Vietnam where CSU professors are teaching economics and business classes.
CSU regional economist Martin Shields leaves Monday for his first teaching stint in the country with his wife and three children for what he calls a "once in a lifetime opportunity."
Shields will spend four weeks teaching English speaking students the principles of macroeconomics.
"I'm very excited… economically it will be fascinating because the country is very entrepreneurial but it is a communist country," Shields said. "It will be interesting to see how those things coexist."
While Shields won't be doing any formal research while teaching in Hanoi, he plans to explore and interact with the culture and businesses as much as possible.
"Look at China and that’s what Vietnam will be in 10 years, it is going to be a great look at how these emerging countries do what they are doing economically. What stages going through in terms economic growth," he said.
From Dec. 14 to Jan. 8 Shields will teach macroeconomics to upwards of 80 FTU students. Shields said he hopes to take his observational research from his time in Vietnam and be able to use it further in his role at CSU.
"I see it affecting both my teaching but also my research as well in the United States and Northern Colorado. We talk so much about an innovation economy and entrepreneurship, they have a different structure," said Shields who has mixed feelings about the trip. "I have this nervous excitement about it. I am kind of looking forward to it, but I am taking three kids and it is a crowded busy place and you are not in Fort Collins anymore."
Bob Kling, associate professor and coordinator of graduate studies coordinator for the CSU-FTU Vietnam Economics Curriculum Project Department of Economics Colorado State University, has already done two stints in Hanoi teaching principles of microeconomics. Two authentic Vietnamese fishing hats signed by his students hang above his office door as a reminder of the trips.
In the spring of 2008 five delegates from FTU, including its president Hoang Van Chau, visited CSU to discuss a partnership. Kling said the Vietnamese government has been pushing reform in higher education, which includes revising curriculum to meet international norms.
The program includes CSU's economics and business departments committing to a six years teaching 42 courses at FTU. Kling said while there, CSU professors each model the course content. Some FTU staff also visits CSU for two month stints to sit in on classes and learn about how classes are taught here. Ultimately FTU students, who take the courses, where the credits can be used for a FTU or CSU degree, can spend their final semesters studying at CSU and receive a CSU degree.
Still in the works is a study abroad program for SCU students at FTU. Kling also noted that there is potential for collaborative research between the two universities and even a possibility of FTU faculty with masters obtaining a PHD from CSU.
Kling said there will be three groups of FTU cohorts going through the program, starting last fall and continuing next year, where each group receives 14 courses equating to the six year timeframe for the program.
"It's a great teaching experience, great students," Kling said. "FTU is one of the most selective universities in Vietnam."