Founded in 1955, Nong Lam University's current student body consists of 15,000 undergraduate and 1000 graduate students in 37 fields of study. Undergraduate aquatic degrees are offered in Aquaculture, Aquatic Products Processing and Aquatic Animal Health Management. Master and Ph. D. programs are also offered in Aquaculture
The aqua research facility will be constructed on 1000 square meters of land at the Nong Lam University Campus in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. "Worldwide almost a billion people rely on fish as their primary source of protein." explained Thad Simons, President and Chief Executive Officer of Novus International, Inc. "This facility exemplifies our commitment to the development of healthy, science based, innovative products and programs for the aquaculture market."
Construction on the half-million dollar research facility is expected to be complete in the summer of 2008. Once completed, the facility will include a fish hatchery with re-circulating tanks for Pangasius Basa catfish, tilapia and shrimp, a water process laboratory, feed processing laboratory and general laboratory with microbiology equipment and glass aquaria.
Novus will award two scholarships each academic year to graduate-level students. These students will participate in research to find pragmatic solutions for industry issues with the underlying goals of profitability and environmental sustainability.
Awards are given based on the following criteria:
- Students must have graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries or related animal science, and be actively pursuing a Master’s degree in Fisheries
- High academic accomplishment
- Demonstration of leadership through participation in extracurricular activities and industry organizations
As part of the application process students submit prior work experience, essays related to research they would pursue with the scholarship grant, and references. Students are chosen by a panel comprised of professors from Nong Lam and Novus research scientists.