As the autumnal winds usher in a new academic year, a significant convergence between the East and the West is set to take place in September 2024. Representatives from Utah Tech University, including Ms. Morgan Bates, Assistant to the Director of the International Office, Dr. Joe Francom, Chair of Computer Science Programs, and Mr. Marc Chang, President of Olive Branch International Education Services (OBIES), will journey to Vietnam. Their mission is to cement an international educational partnership with Saigon Business School (SBS), focusing on an American Pathway Program 2+2 designed for undergraduate students.

The meeting promises to be a cornerstone event, marked by the collective efforts of both institutions to create robust educational pathways that transcend geographical barriers. The American Pathway Program aims to offer SBS students a seamless transition to higher education in the United States, with Utah Tech University taking the lead in providing advanced opportunities in data science and other disciplines.

Following the pivotal meeting, the delegation from Utah Tech University will engage directly with SBS students in a seminar designed to illuminate the academic possibilities that await them. This seminar will focus on the benefits of studying at Utah Tech University, particularly highlighting their esteemed Data Science program. Students will gain insight into the curriculum, faculty, research opportunities, and potential career paths that a degree in data science can offer, fostering a global academic perspective.

Additionally, this visit will coincide with a significant milestone—the joint opening ceremony of the SBS Academic Year 2024-2025. This event is more than a ceremonial inception; it symbolizes the burgeoning relationship between the two institutions. Dr. Joe Francom will deliver the keynote address, illustrating how crucial data science has become in various industries and how the collaborative efforts between SBS and Utah Tech University are poised to prepare students for a future that is increasingly data-driven.

Parents, a vital part of the academic ecosystem, will also be addressed during this ceremony. Their involvement and understanding of the partnership’s value are essential to fostering a supportive environment for their children. Here, Mr. Marc Chang of OBIES will elucidate the role of international education services in bridging the gap between local aspirations and global opportunities. His address aims to assure parents of the quality education and cultural adaptability their children will receive as they embark on this educational journey.

This September meeting promises to be a landmark event, not just in formalizing agreements but in creating a dynamic educational pathway that will benefit students, faculty, and the broader academic community. Through the collaboration with Saigon Business School, Utah Tech University reaffirms its commitment to fostering international educational exchanges, enriching lives, and broadening horizons. The future of graduate education gleams brightly with the promise of global interconnectedness and academic excellence.