A live online forum was held by Dan Tri/DTiNews this morning from 9am to 11:30am called, “What are the hot programmes?”

The forum was attended by four expert panelists to answer queries about higher education in the UK. Most of the questions centred around the financing and other practicalities surrounding higher education abroad, especially amid a difficult economic climate.

Dan Tri/DTiNews' Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Pham Tuan Anh (centre), presenting flowers to four expert panelists

It presented a rare opportunity for many parents and hopeful students to get expert council on navigating the higher education system in the United Kingdom. The participants gave a lot of information concerning entry requirements of universities, different routes for educational paths, scholarships available and the costs of study.

The event was extremely useful for those curious about finding ways to achieve their educational goals. Panelists will also be available to answer questions in person tomorrow in Hanoi at the Melia Hotel between 9am and 11:30am, and March 24 at the same time. The education fairs will be held by ISC/UKEAS, and will be a chance for students to have their specific concerns answered in-depth.

The panelists included:

Rachel Scannell, who is is Assistant Head at Bromsgrove School, working alongside the Headmaster and Bursaries, her role encompasses the admissions, marketing and communication functions across all three of the Bromsgrove Schools (senior, prep and pre-prep). A teacher by profession, Rachel is a natural communicator and travels the world recruiting pupils for the School.  She oozes the feel of Bromsgrove and is passionate about allowing all the young people who attend the School to have a happy and successful time at the School. Rachel is interested in the on-going development of education and the educational needs of young people.

As the third oldest University in England, after Oxford and Cambridge, Durham University has been a leading European centre of learning for 1,000 years. Ranked in top 5 UK University in several publications such as the Sunday Times University Guide 2013, the complete University Guide 2013 and the Times Good University Guide, Durham University is an excellent destination for outstanding.

Carl Owen, who has lived primarily in Asia since 1991. Owen worked for UKEAS in Taiwan from 2005 to 2008, and has since taken the position of country manager in Vietnam for ISC-UKEAS. With over 10 years of experience in this particular field, Carl is passionate about improving the services ISC-UKEAS provides their students. “Overseas education is a great investment. It is important for us that we are able to provide up to date information, essential advices so that our students can choose the right path when study abroad. It is essential for students to choose a suitable course which society needs once they graduate. By doing so, they can increase their chance of getting a good job, therefore maximise the investment in the first place.”

Mr. Carl Owen answering questions from students and their parents

Le Ngoc Mai, who graduated from the Hanoi University of Foreign Trade in 2010. Studying abroad was her dream since the first days at University, she went to England and studied International Marketing management at University of Leeds. Mai returned to Vietnam earlier this year and currently working as a consultant for ISC-UKEAS. With experience in studying abroad and working in Vietnam, Mai will be able to answer questions from a Vietnamese student’s perspective as well as provide great advices for students who want to study in the UK.

In addition to the forum, ISC-UKEAS will hold a British educational exhibition to offer students and parents further guidance on study programmes, enrolment quotas, requirements and scholarships. Students can attend the event from 9:00 – 12:30 on tomorrow (March 23) at Melia Hotel in Hanoi, and 9:00 – 12:30 on Sunday (March 24) at Rex Hotel in HCM City.

Kristi McFarland, who is an International Officer for Durham University managing recruitment and marketing in East and South East Asia. Durham University is the third oldest university in England and is located in historic North East England. Kristi has been working at Durham for 2 1/2 years. Prior to being an International Officer, Kristi worked in marketing at a university in the United State.