The US Department of State plans to provide US$5 million to establish the YSEALI Academy at Fulbright University Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City, to deliver capacity-building seminars to entry- to mid-level professionals aged 25-40 from across Southeast Asia around the themes of technology and innovation, public policy, and entrepreneurship.

President Obama giving advice to young Southeast Asian leaders in Ho Chi Minh during his Vietnam visit in May 2016.

Selected fellows will participate in seminars, group projects, and site visits. They will have many rich opportunities to expand their professional networks, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs David Stilwell announced the plan at “the Future of ASEAN: The Youth Factor” on September 4.

This partnership will bring together YSEALI, the US government’s signature program to improve the education and skills of future leaders from all 10 ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste, with Fulbright University Vietnam, the first nonprofit, independent, US-affiliated university in Vietnam.

YSEALI is helping the next generation of ASEAN leaders build the skills they need through programs like the new YSEALI Academy. The YSEALI Academy builds on previous cooperation between FUV and the US government.

In 2015 and 2017, the US Mission to Vietnam, in partnership with Fulbright Economics Teaching Program (now one of FUV’s schools), hosted two Fulbright YSEALI Summer School Programs in Ho Chi Minh City where 200 YSEALI members from all over Vietnam deepened their knowledge about issues relating to the ASEAN Economic Community, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

In collaboration with the US Department of State, Fulbright University Vietnam plans to bring together academics, policy practitioners, and guest speakers from the United States and Southeast Asia to instruct and mentor more than 400 young professionals from all 10 ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste.

This innovative YSEALI program is poised to start in 2021. Fellows will receive a certificate and be a part of the YSEALI and Fulbright University Vietnam alumni networks.

Speaking virtually at the event, US Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel Kritenbrink said, “The US Mission to Vietnam, on behalf of the US Department of State, and the entire US government, considers YSEALI to be a signature program, strengthening human capital development across the region.

Since the initiative was launched in December 2013, there have been more than 150,000 members in the YSEALI network, including 30,000 members from Vietnam. The US government is proud to contribute to YSEALI and Fulbright University Vietnam to strengthen youth capacity, not only in Vietnam, but also in the ASEAN community.”