The welcome ceremony was attended by Mr. Le Thang Loi – Standing Member of the Ministry’s Office in Ho Chi Minh City and Deputy Director in charge of the Center for Education and Training Development in Southern Vietnam. Representing the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City were Ms. Natella Svistunova – Cultural Attaché, and Ms. Tran Nguyen Hanh Nguyen – Foreign Affairs Officer.

From UEF, members of the University Council, the Board of Presidents, and leaders of various departments were present. Representing the Pittsburgh delegation were Ms. Stephanie Laura Spirk – Global Experiences Program Manager, and Professor Haimanti Banerjee.

The ceremony was graced by the special presence of representatives from the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training.

In his welcome remarks, Dr. Do Huu Nguyen Loc - Vice President, UEF, emphasized the university’s commitment to internationalization and highlighted the 16-year partnership between UEF and the University of Pittsburgh.

 

 

Professor Haimanti Banerjee, representing the University of Pittsburgh, expressed her sincere gratitude for the warm welcome and wholehearted support from UEF. This marks her second consecutive participation in the Plus 3 program, and she shared her excitement about returning to Vietnam with the students.

 

Attending the ceremony, Ms. Natella Svistunova, representative of the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, emphasized the strong and sustainable partnership between UEF and the University of Pittsburgh. She remarked that UEF is a wonderful partner, and through the Plus 3 program—with its rich cultural and language experiences—Pittsburgh students will gain valuable knowledge, become more professional, and continue to grow.

At the welcome ceremony, students from both universities bonded over fun games and trendy Vietnamese dance challenges. The laughter and enthusiastic interactions from this very first meeting laid the foundation for a lasting friendship throughout their exchange journey.
In addition, the international students enjoyed a night tour of Ho Chi Minh City aboard a double-decker bus and joined a welcome party where they shared food, conversations, and reflections on their first day in Vietnam.
  Over the course of the two-week program, the Pittsburgh students will join UEFers in a variety of immersive activities—ranging from academic sessions on Vietnamese culture, economy, and environment, to site visits at local businesses, sports exchanges, culinary adventures, and daily life explorations in Ho Chi Minh City and nearby provinces.
  This year marks the 13th edition of the Plus 3 program, further affirming the strong partnership between UEF and the University of Pittsburgh as well as UEF’s growing international profile. The upcoming days promise even more exciting and memorable experiences for all participants.