VEF - Vietnam Education Foundation The Vietnam Education Foundation is a special initiative by the Government and the people of the United States to promote closer relations between the U.S. and Vietnam. VEF provided opportunities for Vietnamese nationals to pursue graduate and post-graduate studies in science and technology in the U.S., and for American citizens to teach in the same fields of studies in Vietnam. From these educational exchanges, the citizens of Vietnam and the United States will gain a deeper understanding of each other, and of the promise of a closer friendship. Dr. Hui-Ming Chang was invited to join a delegation to interview for VEF fellowship in January 2004. The Office of International Programs hosted a visit of VEF Executive Director, Kien D. Pham, and Fellowship Director of the National Academies, Dr. Ray Gamble in March 2004. Nine VEF fellows were admitted to doctoral programs at UTHSC-H in the fall of 2004: 3 in Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and 6 in School of Public Health. Below are photographs taken during the meetings:

Mr. Kien Pham (executive director of VEF), Ray Campbell, PhD (director, Fellowship Office The National Academies), President James T. Willerson (UTHSC-H) and Hui-Ming Chang, MD, MPH (vice president and special advisor to the president, Office of International Programs)

President James T. Willerson, Dr. Hui-Ming Chang and Mr. Kien Pham

At the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences: Edward T.H. Yeh, MD (professor and chairman, Department of Cardiology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and professor of medicine and director of the Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases at the Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases), Paul E. Darlington, PhD (associate dean), Victoria P. Knutson, PhD (assistant dean), Dr. Ray Campbell and Mr. Kien Pham.

At the School of Health Information Sciences: Jack W. Smith, MD, PhD (interim dean), Dr. Kim Dunn (assistant professor and associate dean for academic affairs), Dr. Hui-Ming Chang, Dr. Ray Campbell and Mr. Kien Pham.

At the School of Public Health: Dr. Hui-Ming Chang, Mr. Kien Pham and Guy S. Parcel, PhD (dean).

Dr. Cynthia L. Chappell (professor and associate dean for academic affairs), Dr. Ray Campbell; Dr. Hui-Ming Chang and Mr. Kien Pham.