West Virginia University has been serving as host for Fulbright Visiting Scholar Minh Dinh Nguyen from Vietnam this fall and will continue to do so through the spring semester.

Nguyen, professor of geography at Hanoi University of Science, is focusing his research on United States experiences in environmental remote sensing and their applicability in Vietnam.

As part of the program, Nguyen works with WVU Professor of Geology and Geography Tim Warner.

Minh has a great interest in remote sensing of natural resources, which fits in well with what we do at WVU ,Warner said.We are also making the effort to establish a long-term relationship with the University of Hanoi, providing future international links, collaborations and possible student exchanges.

Remote sensing is the science of obtaining information about phenomena without being in contact with it. It is normally done from aircraft or satellite.

WVU has a broad strength in remote sensing, which attracted Nguyen. WVU is the lead institution for West Virginia View, a state-wide consortium of organizations with an interest in remote sensing, which is currently funded by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Its goal is to promote remote sensing in the state and develop an Internet-based, public access state archive of satellite imagery.

Nguyens visit builds on existing international links in remote sensing at WVU . Since 1999, four groups of WVU students have participated in remote sensing courses in France and Greece, and two groups of students from France, Norway, Germany and Greece have in turn studied at WVU .

Nguyen, through his work at WVU , is learning how remote sensing is taught and applied in the United States. Upon returning to Vietnam, he plans to use his new knowledge to enhance education and research in the field.

I chose WVU because its professors are active in education training and research,Nguyen said.It is also in a strategic location, where I can access other areas of the state, broaden my knowledge and interact with other professors.

Nguyen is one of approximately 850 outstanding foreign faculty and professionals the Fulbright Scholar Program brings to the U.S. to teach and do research.

Established in 1946 under legislation introduced by the late Sen. J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, the programs purpose is to build mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries.

Recipients of Fulbright awardsboth U.S. and foreignare selected on the basis of academic and professional achievement and also have demonstrated extraordinary leadership potential in their fields.

The Fulbright Program, Americas flagship international exchange activity, is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. In its 59 years of existence more than 265,000 American and foreign university students, K-12 teachers and university faculty and professionals have participated in one of the several Fulbright exchange programs.