Frenchman funds private scholarships

HCM CITY — Professor Odon Vallet of the Sorbonne University in Paris donated scholarships worth VND2 billion (US$133,333) to outstanding Vietnamese students in a ceremony held in HCM City on Thursday.

The scholarships were arranged by Rencontres du Viet Nam, a scientific organisation established by Prof Tran Thanh Van, a Vietnamese expatriate residing in France. They are valued at VND2 million each for high school students and VND3 million for university students.

"We offer you this scholarship to help you promote your talents," Professor Odon Vallet told winners of scholarships. "Therefore, success in your studies will be our best recompense."

As a member of the Rencontres du Viet Nam society, Prof Odon Vallet visited Viet Nam in July 2000 and offered scholarships to Vietnamese high school and university students to encourage them in their studies. He gave 300 such scholarships in 2001 and an equal number this year along with several special scholarships for post-graduate students.

Twenty-two of this year’s scholarships are for students studying traditional music and dance at the Municipal Conservatory of Music.

"This is the first time this scholarship has been offered to students of traditional music and dance," remarked Professor Tran Van Khe, a renowned teacher of Vietnamese traditional music in France, at the ceremony.

"Until now, scholarships have been commonly given to students of science and technology."

The fund for  is drawn from the wealth the professor inherited from his father, a poor labourer who studied hard enough to make his fortune from insurance. Prior to his deathhe bequeathed his possessions to his son requesting that he help poor students. — VNS

250 French Odon Vallet scholarships presented

HA NOI — Two-hundred and fifty "Odon Vallet" scholarships were awarded to outstanding students at a ceremony in Ha Noi on September 8.

Secondary school recipients each received VND2.2 million, while university recipients were each granted VND3 million. Twelve of the students have won prizes at this year’s international olympiads.

The scholarship fund was established in 2000 by Professor Odon Vallet, a well-known French scientist from Sorbonne University, and Professor Tran Thanh Van, an overseas Vietnamese scientist.

In 2001, the fund awarded a total of VND900 million (US$60,000), including VND600 million from Professor Vallet, to Vietnamese students.

The 250 scholarships presented on Sunday take the number of Odon Vallet scholarships awarded this year to 800, worth a total of VND2 billion. — VNS