Dear all,
VICASA sincerely expresses our deep gratitude to all learners and supporters who have continuously accompanied and contributed thoughtful feedback throughout our journey. In response to recent inquiries and suggestions regarding the implementation of diligence contributions and academic competition, we would like to offer the following clarification:
1. The Reality During the Free Learning Phase (2021–2023)
In the first two years of operation, VICASA provided all courses free of charge with the hope of creating the most accessible learning environment for the community. However, the reality was as follows:
• Many students lacked consistency, skipped assignments, and failed to participate actively in class.
• Both monastic and lay teachers—whether volunteering or balancing professional commitments—faced challenges due to the lack of learner discipline.
• Numerous teachers reported that students’ lack of engagement demotivated them from continuing to teach.
2. The Implementation of the Diligence Contribution (2023–2025)
Starting in 2023, based on proposals from both teachers and early learners, VICASA introduced a “diligence contribution” with the intent to:
• Encourage student commitment through a reward-based diligence system.
• Provide modest support for teachers, helping to retain dedicated and quality instructors.
However, after nearly two years, the results have not significantly improved. Most students still do not demonstrate strong commitment, submit assignments inconsistently, and continue to approach learning with minimal engagement.
3. Applying Learning Diligence And Competition (Effective 2025 Onward)
Apart from the “diligence fee” (100,000 VND/month/learner), to ensure learning quality and foster responsibility, all students enrolling in courses from May 2025 onward will be required to participate in a group-based competition with regular progress evaluations.
This fund is transparently managed and publicly reported each month for the following purposes:
To reward the group with the highest performance in monthly evaluations
To reward outstanding students from each group
To support the Class Leadership Team
To express gratitude and appreciation to the Teacher
👉 VICASA adopts the active learning and student-centered approach from Western education systems and is currently applying group-based competition across all course levels.
👉 Each class will be divided into teams based on class size and will elect a leadership board including a Class Monitor, Vice Monitor, and Team Leaders.
👉 VICASA will also establish a Class Evaluation Criteria system and a Scoring Rubric for both teams and individuals to motivate learning. Competition metrics include attendance, participation, and homework submission. This model not only improves learning outcomes but also helps maintain class consistency.
We believe this step is essential to:
• Foster greater responsibility and motivation in learners.
• Sustain the long-term dedication of teachers.
• Build a disciplined, effective, and sustainable learning environment—especially as the VICASA community continues to grow.
All VICASA financial matters are conducted with full transparency.
For those who wish to support our mission, contributions may be sent to:
Bank: VPBank (Vietnam Prosperity Joint-Stock Commercial Bank)
Account Number: 0333162078
Account Holder: NGUYEN THI DIU THUY
Transfer Note: [Your Full Name] + Support VICASA
Charity Fund Ledger:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17GgIt1M3vkC73xpDYVIr-u6gfHs6xMGjMz8EzPWzFfs/edit?usp=sharing
4. A Call for Continued Support
Behind every class session is an entire system of planning, coordination, and dedicated contributions from many individuals. Those who have supported VICASA over the years are likely already aware of these efforts and understand the context.
We deeply appreciate your silent support. We also understand that any policy shift may cause initial concerns. However, we sincerely hope you will continue to support, accompany, and uphold our aspiration to spread Buddhist wisdom in the digital age.
In today’s increasingly interconnected and digitized world, VICASA recognizes that linguistic proficiency and educational strength are vital bridges for Dharma transmission. We warmly invite you to join us in learning, sharing, and nurturing the path of preserving and expanding the Dhamma for future generations.
Thank you for your continued trust and engagement with VICASA. We welcome your feedback and contributions to further strengthen our mission.
With gratitude,
VICASA
