On 24th November 2020, at the Learning Resource and Information Technology Centre (Thai Nguyen University), there was a wrap-up symposium for cooperation program between Aus4skills and Thai Nguyen University (TNU), Thai Nguyen Agriculture and Forestry University (TUAF).
In attendance at the event were Mr Brendon Brooker, Second Secretary of the Australian Embassy in Vietnam, Mr. Michael Sadlon, Program Director, Aus4Skills Vietnam and representatives of the Women’s Union, Thai Nguyen City, Thai Nguyen province.
From TNU side, there was Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thanh Van, Vice President of TNU, and representatives of functional departments, member universities, and Aus4Skills alumni.
Mr Brendon Brooker, Second Secretary of the Australian Embassy in Vietnam delivered speech
TNU is one of three regional universities, established according to the Government Decree No 31/CP dated April 4th, 1994 of the Prime Minister. It is a center for training, research and science and technology transference in Northern midlands and mountainous region. It effectively serves the socio-economic development of the region and the country, according to the Law No. 34/2018/QH14 of the National Assembly “a university performing national strategy, regional development mission of the country”.
TNU has 7 member universities (University of Education, University of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Industrial Technology, University of Economics & Business Administration, University of Information Technology and Communication, University of Science), School of Foreign Languages, International School, School of Economic and Technology, TNU branch in Lao Cai, and affiliated agencies.
At present, TNU has over 50,000 students at university level (female students account for more than 50%), nearly 5,000 graduate and doctoral students; over 1,000 international students from 16 countries and territories.
In recent years TNU is an attraction to foreign students
TNU enjoys favorable conditions for further development thanks to the amendment Law on Higher Education (Law No. 34/2018 / QH14) defining that regional university is the one that “performing national strategy, regional development mission of the country“.
University autonomy is a significant policy that has been legalized. It enables universities to proactively maximize its resources, improve training quality, and respond to the employment market’s demand.
The Politburo Resolution No. 37-NQ/TW dated July 1, 2004 relating to the direction of socio-economic development, national security and defense for the Northern midlands and mountainous regions up to 2020 determined “the Northern midlands and mountainous region is an important and strategic area”.
TNU locates in Thai Nguyen province. It is the center of the region, a satellite city of Hanoi. It has a convenient transportation network and is a socio-economic and cultural melting pot between mountainous and plain areas.
These are favorable conditions for the development of education, training, and transference of science technology, culture, and educational advancements.
Extensive international integration in education is taking place at a global scale, creating favorable opportunities for TNU to access modern trends, advanced knowledge, high quality management models, and to make use of external resources for educational development.
With an aim to create major improvements in training quality and science and technology, to develop major training streams to meet national, ASEAN and international accreditation standards, TNU has mapped out its strategic plans, and 6 key solutions for 2020-2025, in which efforts will be made to maximize resources, sustain and develop 3 pillars, including training high-quality human resources, carrying out scientific research and technology transference and providing policy consultation effectively.
To turn the university’s resources into a strong driver for sustainable growth and development of the northern mountainous provinces, focusing on Thai Nguyen province.
One of the 6 key solutions is to amend and restructure areas of training, to learn from the experiences of developed countries to build quality programs.
To develop the curriculum in the direction of meeting social needs and international integration in the context of the 4th.0 Industrial Revolution.
To cooperate and closely link training programs with employers including entrepreneurs, organizations, and production facilities,etc. in the region. Cooperation will be integrated in the entire process, from the development of outcome standards, curriculum design, to the engagement of entrepreneurs in delivering specific modules.
Aus4Skills is a program developed by the Australian Government to assist Vietnam in accessing and using qualified and skilled workforce, to respond to the demands of the labor market and contribute to the sustainable socio-economic development of Vietnam.
Aus4Skills consists of 5 components, in which component 2 and 3 are collaborated with TNU:
Dr. Bui Thi Huong Giang Vice Head, Dept. of International Cooperation Thai Nguyen University, Aus4Skills Coordinator shared: “Taking part in the Advancing Women in Leadership (WIL1) of Aus4Skills, I learnt a lot of from Australian experts. It is a foundation for me to carry out tasks in the university more efficiently. The Aus4Skills program has truly inspired me to change my mindset both in work and in life. As a member of the Aus4Skills alumni network, I can easily connect with other members and related parties to carry out shared goals. In the coming years, I believe in positive cooperation between TNU and Australian universities, where the Aus4Skills program is an important bridge”.
On behalf of Thai Nguyen University, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thanh Van stated “Positive changes have been seen at Thai Nguyen University, in terms of governance, leadership and management, curriculum renewal, quality assurance and gender equality”. He added “TNU is committed to continuing the activities initiated by the Aus4Skillls program, maintaining the Australian alumni network, strengthening our relationships with Australian partners and developing proposals for future cooperation programs”.
On this occasion, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thanh Van expressed his sincere thanks to the Embassy of Australia in Vietnam, Aus4Skills and Australian experts who have supported TNU to successfully implement this program.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thanh Van, Vice President of TNU delivered speech
Representing the Embassy of Australia in Vietnam, Mr Brendon Brooker highly praised the achievements made by the Aus4Skills -TNU program.
He emphasized that throughout the program, managers at all levels of TNU and TUAF showed strong political will and proactive integration, which were seen in the implementation of strategies and messages on gender equality.
In addition, good relationships are built between TNU and Australian universities, benefiting thousands of students at TNU in general and TUAF in particular.
Symposium on development, improvement in curriculum and teaching method towards autonomy in University
Mr. Brendon Brooker also expressed his gratitude and impression at the flexibility and excellent adaptability of the TNU management team, especially in the context that the whole world is battling Covid-19.
He believed that TNU and TUAF will continue to make efforts, maintain, and replicate the achievements and lessons learned in the past years and he hopes for future cooperation.
Symposium on promoting quality assurance at TNU
At the symposium, attendants had a chance to listen to the reports from two program coordinators: Dr. Bui Thi Huong Giang – Vice Head of International Cooperation Department (TNU) and Dr. Nguyen Huu Tho – Head of Department of Science, Technology and International Cooperation (TUAF), who highlighted the results of the cooperation between Aus4Skills and the two Universities.
Attendants also listened to the presentations made by the managers of TNU, alumni of Aus4Skills “Improving governance, leadership and management towards university autonomy at TUAF – TNU”; “Developing and renewing curriculum and teaching methods towards university autonomy”; “Promoting gender equality at TNU and member universities”; “Promoting quality assurance at TNU”.
As advisors of the program, in an indirect way, Australian experts including: Dr. Greg McMillan, Vice Chancelor of Central Queensland University, Prof. Howard Nicolas – La Trobe University, Dr. Shaun Nykvist – Queensland University of Technology, gender specialist – Dr. Cara Ellickson – Head of Gender Department, Flinders University; and Glenn David shared with participants practical experiences from the Australian education system, as well as the plans to apply in Vietnam and TNU in particular.
Also, at the symposium, participants visisted the booths, showcasing achievement made by TNU and TUAF after 3 years. Significant improvements were seen in the fields of management and leadership towards strengthening the autonomy and accountability, reforming curriculum, education quality assurance and gender equality.
It can be confirmed that the achievements brought by the program created positive impacts in many fields at TNU.
TNU is committed to continuing the activities initiated by the Aus4Skillls program, maintaining the Australian alumni network, strengthening our relationships with Australian partners, and developing proposals for future cooperation programs.
Source: giaoduc.net
