Latest news with #LFND
The Star
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Ethnic festival showcases rich cultural diversity of Laos
VIENTIANE: Laos organised the Lao Ethnic Cultural Festival to showcase the unity and cultural harmony of its 50 ethnic groups in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Lao Front for National Development (LFND). The festival, scheduled from Tuesday to Saturday (July 8 - 12) in the Lao capital Vientiane, aims to promote unity and solidarity among Laos' 50 ethnic groups while preserving and showcasing their unique customs, traditions, music, literature, and everyday lifestyles. According to a report from the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports on Tuesday, the event offers both domestic and international visitors a rare opportunity to experience the authentic cultures and lifestyles of each ethnic group. The festival features a variety of activities, including an ethnic heritage exhibition, cultural performances, and displays of traditional clothing, handicrafts, utensils, and food. It also highlights Laos' traditional craft of Naga motif weaving, the Lamvong dance, and Khaen music -- recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The Lao Front for National Development is preparing to host a series of nationwide events to celebrate its 75th anniversary, which falls on Aug 13, showcasing its historic contributions to national unity, liberation, and development. - Xinhua
The Star
07-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
New partnership to enhance vocational education, training in Laos
A representative from the Lao School of Business and Commerce (left) and a representative from the LFND display the signed agreement in Vientiane last week. VIENTIANE: Young people from ethnic communities and families of Lao Front for National Development's (LFND) staff will have greater access to free vocational and language education under new cooperation agreements aimed at strengthening human resources and promoting inclusive development. The Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between the Research and Training Centre of the Central (LFND) and the Lao School of Business and Commerce (LSBC) and the Ethnic Technical and Vocational College was signed in Vientiane last week. The agreements outline long-term collaboration in scholarship provision, curriculum development, and skills training. Under the MoC with LSBC, the school will offer 95 full scholarships each year for a Higher Diploma in Business Administration. Of these, five are reserved for children of LFND central staff, while 90 are allocated to Grade 7 students from Vientiane and 17 provinces. LSBC will waive tuition fees for all recipients during the three-year programme. The school will also grant 100 percent tuition-free English language training to LFND employees and a 50 percent fee reduction for their spouses and children. It will provide six-monthly and annual reports to the LFND on student performance and academic progress. Meanwhile, the cooperation with the Ethnic Technical and Vocational College targets ethnic high school graduates, offering scholarships in Chinese-language higher education programmes. The college will award three scholarships per year for the first five years and six per year for the following 12 years, all with full tuition exemptions. To support this initiative, the LFND will assist in developing the college's campus in Viengkeo village, Xaythany district, coordinate with relevant authorities, and contribute political education content to the curriculum. Two LFND staff will be assigned to the college, and scholarship recipients' progress will be monitored regularly. Both colleges will work with the LFND to introduce short-term training courses in English, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean for staff, students, and the public. They also plan to carry out joint research to improve educational quality and better align with labour market needs. The MoC with LSBC is valid from 2025 to 2030, while the agreement with the Ethnic Technical and Vocational College will run from 2025 to 2040. These partnerships mark a significant step in expanding education opportunities and improving workforce readiness for communities across Laos. - Vientiane Times/ANN
