U.S. INSTITUTIONS’ ENGAGEMENT IN THE EDUCATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM - AN UNCONVENTIONAL PATH IN THE WAR CONTEXT (1954-1975)

Abstract

Whether it comes from the desire to build a solid pro-American government in South Vietnam of the United States or from the aspiration for independent development of the Republic of Vietnam government, we can see that the two governments, the United States and the Republic of Vietnam, did cooperate in developing civil affairs, such as education, rather than solely focused on military issues during wartime. This study by analyzing the involvement of U.S. institutions in the education of the Republic of Vietnam in the years 1954-1975 with three studied cases: SEADAG, The Center for Vietnamese Studies and Programs at Southern Illinois University, and the Asia Foundation, not only contributes to pointing out the characteristics of the United States - Republic of Vietnam’s cooperation in education in the twentieth century but also provides an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding about South Vietnam in another face of the war. Based on research findings, this study also hopes to review trends and lessons learned in building cooperative relations between two countries.