Ho Chi Minh City-based Vietnam Study Encouragement Association awarded 713 scholarships worth nearly VND 1.5 billion (about USD 77,000) on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the “Talent Encouragement” scholarship on Sunday.

The scholarships are titled “1-to-1” to reflect the close and kind relationship between the sponsor and the receiver. They are set up to fund a student for their study at a university in Vietnam.

713 students were awarded “1-to-1” scholarships on this occasion

Speaking at the ceremony, Nguyen Van Cai, one of the first five students to receive the scholarship, says it helped save his life when he was at his lowest.

"The time I entered the university, my mother was seriously ill and my family was very poor," recalled Cai.

Cai said that he always considers Nguyen Thanh Liem, the sponsor for his study at university, as his father.

“He [Liem] gave me the strength and confidence to overcome difficulties in life”, said Cai. “He still cares for me and helps me deal with life’s challenges even after I graduated from university”.

The relationship between sponsor and receiver is just like the relationship between father and son

Le Thanh Hung, a professor at the Ho Chi Minh City-based Agriculture and Forestry University, another scholarship receiver, said at the anniversary meeting that he would like to send his deepest gratitude to his sponsors and those in the association for their support and love for him.

He urged all scholarship receivers to work and study hard to merit the award.

Huynh Cong Minh, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Education and Training Department said the scholarship is the one which has the deepest humane significance that he has ever known.

Many organizations and individuals have contributed to this meaningful scholarship

More than 1,100 students have been awarded with the scholarship so far. Its frequent sponsors include Lawrence S.Ting Fund, French charity EPE, the Japan Vietnam Petroleum Company Limited, and many other individuals.