House of Wisdom - Vietnamese educational initiative reaches final round of prestigious U.S. startup competition
WVR - On April 12, The House of Wisdom (HOW) advanced to the final round of the New Venture Awards, one of the most prestigious competitions hosted annually by Wesleyan University, ranked 14th among U.S. liberal arts colleges.
Latest
The project was developed and presented by Tran Thi Tuong Anh, a sophomore majoring in Economics with a Data Analysis minor and a recipient of the 2023 full-ride Freeman Scholarship (valued at approximately 9 billion VND), along with Tran Viet Bach, who recently received an offer to attend UWC ISAK Japan for the International Baccalaureate Program starting in August 2025. Surpassing more than 30 competitive entries from around the world, HOW Malaysia was recognized as one of this year’s most outstanding social innovation initiatives, earning a prize of 3,000 USD.
 |
| Tuong Anh, founder and chair of HOW Malaysia, presenting at the final round of the New Venture Award startup competition at Wesleyan University, USA. |
A proud milestone
Sharing his excitement about this achievement, Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, founder of the HOW network, remarked:
“I had the opportunity to visit Wesleyan University in 2023. It is one of the most respected and long-established liberal arts institutions in the United States. The New Venture Awards, organized by the Patricelli Center for Social Entrepreneurship, celebrate initiatives that create positive impact in their communities. For HOW Malaysia to be named a finalist and receive this award is a well-deserved recognition. Following the Literacy Award for Knowledge Dissemination from the Library of Congress in 2023, this is yet another affirmation that the HOW network is contributing meaningfully to global efforts in promoting knowledge-sharing and lifelong learning”.
 |
| Tuong Anh featured in the list of finalist initiatives published on the website of the Patricelli Center for Social Entrepreneurship at Wesleyan University. |
The project presented at Wesleyan by Tuong Anh and Viet Bach is rooted in the hands-on experiences and accomplishments of HOW Malaysia since its founding in 2021. Its overarching goal is to bridge educational gaps between urban and rural or mountainous children by connecting local needs with global knowledge and resources. The initiative is built on three core pillars: English education, a culture of reading, and personal development through mentorship.
English – Books – Mentorship: A sustainable journey
HOW Malaysia continues to provide free English classes, both online and in person, to help rural students improve their communication skills and interact directly with native-speaking teachers. The program also partners with Tu sach Nhan ai (Compassion Books) to deliver books to remote communities and run reading campaigns that inspire curiosity and foster a love of self-directed learning.
Additionally, the initiative collaborates with the global HOW network to connect students with international professors, experts, and volunteers. Through workshops, sharing sessions, and one-on-one mentoring, students develop crucial life skills such as communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and career orientation.
 |
| In one such session, Viet Bach moderated an online discussion on “Personal Growth and Lifelong Learning”, joined by Associate Professor Shannon Gramse, students from the University of Alaska Anchorage, and children from HOW Duc Pho, Quang Ngai. |
Speaking with us, Tuong Anh shared:
“HOW Malaysia has so far offered 15 free English courses covering grammar, conversation, and math-in-English, along with nearly 30 workshops and exchange events featuring international professors and educators. One standout initiative is a monthly sharing series launched in collaboration with the University of Alaska Anchorage and Professor Shannon Gramse, where U.S. students mentor participants and help them build future-ready skills. These collective efforts have opened up meaningful learning opportunities for thousands of students across provinces such as Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Ngai, Dong Nai, and Son La”.
Beyond the Award
 |
| Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, founder of HOW and co-founder of the Compassion Books with Tuong Anh and the leaders of both programs at Wesleyan University’s library. |
Mr. Nguyen Quoc Huy, CEO of Compassion Books, praised the long-term dedication of Tuong Anh and Viet Bach in teaching English to students at HOW Duc Pho, Quang Ngai. “They began in the summer of 2021, when students were just starting to learn simple daily conversations. By summer 2024, those same students were confidently holding full discussions, without a need for interpretation, with professors and students from the University of Alaska Anchorage. This journey reflects not only significant progress in English proficiency but also the development of deeper intellectual and cultural connections that cross national borders”.
The New Venture Awards are more than just a celebration; they offer continued support and guidance. With mentorship from leading experts at the Patricelli Center, Tuong Anh and Viet Bach will further develop their project to create lasting, meaningful change in underserved communities.
| About the House of Wisdom (HOW) The House of Wisdom is a philanthropic initiative focused on culture and education with a network of over 300 lifelong learning spaces established across 17 provinces in Vietnam and five other countries: Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and the United States. All programs are offered free of charge, reaching more than 10,000 participants who are primarily children and residents in underserved rural communities. Through a global network of professors, scholars, and volunteers, learners receive high-quality education and mentorship. HOW has earned numerous national and international honours, including the 2023 Library of Congress Literacy Award for Best practices in knowledge dissemination. |
Multimedia
Infographics Photos Videos E magazine
