Week 10 - Riley Frederking

Bridging the Divide

            I believe it is important to look at a country as a whole—the culture, government, local resources, technological capabilities, and population—rather than as separated pieces. While it is a necessary to narrow down focus to feasibly increase and sustain a nation’s aesthetics, it must be done with inclusive consideration, with all aspects of the nation in mind. In addition, in order to grow, a country must have to people behind it, which requires bridging distances both metaphorically and literally, particularly for those countries with large populations overseas, which requires good governance.

            Nations, such as Botswana, have “fostered the conditions of governance that have ensured stability and social and economic progress” (Lewin 82). Such governance, which depends on good relations both with other countries and with their own population abroad, can close the fragmented boundaries that may inhibit countries from growth. Viet Nam however, as George Nguyen and Anna Shillabeer argue, is currently experiencing “a lack of governance in quality control for the penetration of western transnational education in this [Vietnam] country" (Nguyen & Shillabeer, 637). The Vietnamese government needs to direct focus to “the development of policies that emphasize the important contribution that overseas Vietnamese students can make to their home country” (Gribble 305). 

            It has been argued that “overseas Vietnamese population could not possibly make a significant impact on the country’s development” (Valverde). However, in order for Viet Nam to prosper, it is imperative that they utilize the benefits of their overseas population, particularly their international students. Cate Gribble asserts “today’s international student is intimately connected through communication technology and globalized media forms and many overseas Vietnamese students are eager to maintain personal and professional connections with Vietnam” (304). Each country’s future depends on the younger generations, and it has been shown that “bright young talents go on to become the leaders required for the sustained development needed in many developing countries” (Gribble 305). Thus, the Vietnamese government should work to develop “policies that emphasize the important contribution that overseas Vietnamese students can make to their home country” (Gribble 305).  This will ultimately enrich not only Viet Nam as whole, but also help to develop transnational relations with other countries as well.

Chippendale, Emma, et al. “Political Remittances and Political Transnationalism: Narratives, Political Practices and the Role of the State.” OxPol, University of Oxford, 25 July 2017. Digital Image.

Gribble, Cate. “National Policies on Skilled Labour and the Cross-border Student Market, with a Focus on Vietnam.”  Higher Education in the Asia-Pacific. Higher Education Dynamics, vol 36. Springer, Dordrecht.

Jonathan Pincus. “Why Doesn’t Vietnam Grow Faster?: State Fragmentation and the Limits of Vent for Surplus Growth.”

Lewin, Michael. “Botswana’s Success: Good Governance, Good Policies, and Good Luck.” Pp. 81-90.

Nguyen, George and Anna Shillabeer. “Issues in transnational higher education regulation in Vietnam.” Proceedings of the International Conference on Managing the Asian Century, Springer, Singapore. pp. 637-644. 2013.

Valverde, Kieu-Linh Caroline. “Introduction: Transnationalizing Viet Nam, Community Culture and Politics in the Diaspora" 2012. pp. 1-28