
iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The completion of this dissertation is credited to many people’s contributions and
support. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all most sincerely, knowing
that my thanks are never adequate.
I am greatly indebted to my supervisors Assoc. Prof. Dr. Võ i Quang and Assoc.
Prof. Dr. Lê Hùng Tin for their encouragement, insightful comments and interest in my
study. I would like to thank the staff of Post Graduate Department for their assistance
that has made the finalization of the dissertation possible in a very short time.
My sincere thanks also extend to Prof. Dr. Hoàng Vn Vân, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyn
Vn , Dr. Nguyn c Hot, and Dr. Nguyn Vn Trào for their invaluable
suggestions, highly constructive comments on several issues related to the dissertation.
Their willingness to support me, answer my questions, and comment on my dissertation
content and organization has made me more confident to pursue the research in this
challenging area.
I give my sincere thanks to all my students, colleagues and friends who patiently
listened to my frustrations, and provided me with encouragement, understanding and
collegiality.
As custom dictates, I have saved the most important people for last. My gratitude goes
to my mother and father. Their constant love and unconditional support are simply
beyond words. A big thank goes to my wife, Thanh Hà, and my gorgeous son, Bo
Nam, for their patience, endless love, and devotion. Whatever choices I have made, they
have always stood by me and believed in me. I am immensely thankful for all the
assistance they have given me.