By Tong Viet Trung – Deputy General Director of Viettel group)

Through our experience and work in connecting people from every path of life via our telecoms network, we know that connectivity drives growth and progress. We recognize that a knowledge economy is the future, and how the exchange of information in real-time made possible by connectivity is already driving the world’s economy[1] by spurring the development of human capital. Connectivity in terms of telecommunications and internet accessibility is not only enhancing lives and creating far-reaching socio-economic benefits, but is also transforming the education landscape to drive economic growth globally.

The understanding that connectivity is a key enabler to this growth has  led us to many important decisions in the way we contribute to the world. As a company, we have a vision to support education as it is one of the key drivers towards a country’s growth and development. We understand that connectivity is an important enabler to a modern learning experience. This is why we are supporting a country’s ability to connect and empower its youth through access to a strong ICT infrastructure as well as further opportunities for skills development and growth.

Our commitment in enhancing existing connectivity infrastructure has expanded across our markets in the Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Americas. We have helped the Haitian government rebuild its connectivity infrastructure to enable widespread access to education while bringing knowledge and innovative products and services to the country’s youth after the country’s earthquake in 2010. Connecting youth with the world is, we believe, critical for the island’s recovery and future growth as a connected nation. Towards this, we are also expanding internet connectivity in more than 1,300 schools across the country, and collaborating to provide computers to 100 schools in Haiti. Likewise in Peru, we have invested in internet education funding to more than 4,000 schools.

We have also started covering the most remote parts of Africa. In Mozambique, we are partnering with the government to equip twelve high-schools across the country with high-speed internet connectivity and with hardware support to aid teaching and learning, including computers and projectors. In addition, our internet package in this country will support 120,000 educators in the country.

In the Asia-Pacific region as well, we are accelerating our support to countries to help them bridge the infrastructure gap in education. In Cambodia, we are collaborating with the Ministry of Education to roll out internet connectivity for schools as part of a three-phase program. Under this program, we have already finished connecting 961 schools in the country. In Laos, we have helped expand provided internet connectivity to 1,295 schools since 2009. In our home market Vietnam, we have partnered with the Government to connect all educational institutions in the country, from elementary to tertiary education levels, with subsidized internet access via fiber optic cable by 2015 – an expensive but extremely rewarding undertaking.

However, providing connectivity infrastructure for education is just the start of our journey to drive positive changes for the markets we operate in. According to UNESCO, the lack of education and skills is a major obstacle to young people finding employment in many labor markets, and continues to be a growing challenge in regions such as Africa[2] and the Americas[3].  Many of these challenges can be attributed to a gap between youth who have access to the education and skills they need, and those who do not. In addition, there is a growing incompatibility between the skills that youth have access to through the education system, and the skills that are needed in the labor market today. As such, we are helping the youth explore a world of opportunity through further skills development. For us, this includes helping to equip students with IT skills. 

For years, Vietnam has been receiving a lot of support from other countries. As a responsible Vietnamese business, we want to start making a difference in the way we contribute to the world that we live in. This August, we exclusively sponsored the Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship (MOSWC 2015), the world’s IT playground for students.

Our sponsorship of the competition is in line with our close engagement with youth, and commitment to connect them with the IT skills and expertise that they need to be successful. The competition provides a platform to help student showcase their expert technology skills, and encouraging them to gain a foothold in an intensely competitive academic and professional landscape. This year we have also supported promising young candidates from Vietnam and Cambodia with being a part of this competition, and hope to bring promising youth from other markets to this platform in the coming years.

We believe that companies deeply immersed in markets across the world have a responsibility to make a long-lasting and impactful difference to the markets they operate in. Our global focus on education is aimed at helping countries to bridge the education gap, and support youth with access to the skills and opportunities that they need to help shape our future.

About Viettel

Viettel is one of the world’s fastest growing telecom operators. It has been well known as a pioneer who has ushered in a telecommunications revolution in just a few years, transforming telecom services to a commodity for all social classes and to all rural and remote areas. Viettel is placed among the top 15 telecom companies by cellular connections (ranked by GSMA’s Wireless Intelligence). At the end of 2014, Viettel is providing services in 10 countries across Asia, Africa and America with 260 million population and 75 million customers, bringing the total revenue of US$9.8 billion and US$2 billion profit in 2014, ranking amongst the top largest enterprises of Vietnam.

For more information please visit our websites: www.viettel.com.vn, www.viettelglobal.vn,, www.vietteltelecom.vn, www.viettelmobile.com.vn.

Dr. Glenn Ihde recently performed his 500^th Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF) procedure at Forest Park Medical Center Dallas, a milestone that marks his continued status as the worldwide leader in the utilization of this procedure for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), more commonly known as acid reflux. 

November 23-29 marks the 16^th annual GERD Awareness Week established by the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders to encourage people experiencing symptoms of acid reflux to consult their physicians for information and support regarding options that provide relief, such as the TIF procedure. 

“The TIF procedure, performed completely without incisions, can significantly improve quality of life,” said Dr. Ihde. “Before the TIF procedure, patients were facing a lifetime of medication or an invasive procedure that induced significant side effects. After the TIF procedure, clinical trials show that most patients can eat and drink foods they avoided for many years, and that reflux no longer impacts their life like it did prior to the procedure, while avoiding the side effects of older procedures.”

Studies suggest GERD is the most common gastrointestinal-related diagnosis made by physicians during clinical visits in the U.S., and it is estimated that pain and discomfort from acid reflux impacts more than 23 million people two or more times per week in the U.S. In addition, medications used to treat GERD often cost more than $2,000 per year and present side effects that are often overlooked.

The TIF procedure adheres to the idea of surgical repair of the anti-reflux barrier, except that it is “surgery from within,” performed through the mouth. The procedure reconstructs the valve between the stomach and esophagus restoring the natural, physiological anatomy to prevent gastroesophageal reflux. Because the procedure is performed without incisions, patients experience less pain, reduced recovery time and no visible scar. 

According to a study published in the September issue of American Surgeon, the authors concluded that “Patient satisfaction and effective palliation of symptoms prove that the TIF procedure is safe and efficacious in comparison to LESS Nissen and Toupet fundoplication surgeries, and we offer strong support for its continued application and evaluation.” Also, a head to head study of reflux symptoms showed TIF was much more likely to resolve symptoms than medications 

“Innovative procedures like this continue to make Forest Park Medical Center an industry leader in providing the latest and greatest technology and options for patients – all in a truly state-of-the-art environment,” said Dr. Robert Wyatt, Forest Park founder and system chief medical officer. “At Forest Park, we are dedicated to providing better quality of life for our patients.”

Forest Park Medical Center, the Dallas-based physician-owned hospital system dedicated to providing unsurpassed surgical care, recently hired Preshie Wilson as chief financial officer for its new campus in Fort Worth scheduled to open in November 2014. In this role, Wilson will be responsible for overseeing financial operations and working closely with the leadership team to accomplish hospital goals through strategic financial planning and budgeting processes.

"Preshie is a seasoned, accomplished financial professional and we are thrilled to welcome her to our leadership team,” said Forest Park Medical Center Fort Worth CEO Jim Davis. “We are confident that her leadership, knowledge and experience will serve us well as we open our doors to the Fort Worth community in November.” 

Wilson brings more than 20 years of experience working with large health care systems to her role at Forest Park. She holds a Master of Business Administration from Texas Woman's University and Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from the University of Texas at Arlington. 

Forest Park Medical Center Fort Worth broke ground in January 2013. The approximately $95.5 million hospital will employ approximately 175 healthcare professionals upon opening. 

For more information on Forest Park Medical Center, visit http://www.forestparkmc.com/.

Forest Park Medical Center, the Dallas-based physician-owned hospital system dedicated to providing unsurpassed surgical care, announced Frisco campus Chief Executive Officer Julie Camp has been named one of the Dallas Business Journal’s 2014 “Women in Business” honorees.

“Since opening our doors in June 2012, Forest Park Medical Center Frisco has existed solely to provide surgical care of unsurpassed quality in a state-of-the-art environment, and we remain committed to elevating the status of health care in the Frisco community,” said CEO Julie Camp. “I am proud to be part of an organization that cares for its neighbors through our outstanding service, as well as community involvement through fundraising, sponsorships and mentorship.” 

Under Camp’s leadership, Forest Park Medical Center Frisco has made a dedicated effort to respond to the needs of the community which is reflected in the hospital’s growing focus on nurturing both pediatrics and women’s surgical services into specialized, comprehensive programs. In addition, the hospital is involved in ongoing support for charitable initiatives which in the past have included the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the North Texas Turkey Trot supporting the Miracle League of Frisco.

Now in its seventh year, the Dallas Business Journal’s “Women in Business” awards program recognizes local women business leaders who drive innovation in their industries and communities. Winners will be profiled in the Aug. 29 edition of the Dallas Business Journal and recognized at an awards luncheon today at the Irving Convention Center.

For more information on Forest Park Medical Center Frisco, visit www.forestparkfrisco.com. 

Forest Park Medical Center, the Dallas-based physician-owned hospital system dedicated to providing unsurpassed surgical care, has hired Christy Naylor as chief compliance officer.

In this role, Naylor will oversee the system’s corporate compliance program by collaboratively working with constituents to ensure the board of directors, management and all Forest Park employees are in compliance with company standards of conduct and rules and regulations of regulatory bodies.

“Forest Park is a rapidly growing hospital system focused on providing patient care of unparalleled quality, and we welcome Christy’s knowledge and expertise as we continue development and implementation of a program that supports Forest Park’s culture of ethics and compliance,” said Forest Park Managing Partner Mac Burt. “We are confident Christy’s proven experience will make her an asset to our system as we continue to enhance our status as a leader in the health care industry.”

Prior to joining Forest Park Medical Center, Naylor served as assistant vice president and regulatory counsel for corporate compliance and board governance at Methodist Health System in Dallas. She also brings more than five years of experience in progressively responsible health care compliance and 15 years’ experience in substantive law to her new role.

Naylor received her bachelor’s degree in political science and business and technical writing from the University of Arkansas and her Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law.

For more information on Forest Park Medical Center, visit http://www.forestparkmc.com/.