“Vietnam needs a contemporary generation of leaders and managers who are capable of delivering our country’s policies, law, and international cooperation strategies. Through targeted training such as SCUT, our educators explored modern teaching methodologies which meet the demand for new knowledge, skills, vision, and mindset in Vietnam’s era of national rise to train the next generation of leaders and, more importantly, contributing to promoting and deepening the CSP between Vietnam and Australia, and creating peace, sustainable development, and prosperity.” – Assoc Prof Dr Hoang Van Nghia, Director General, HCMA International Cooperation Department.
Nearly 20 Vietnamese educators from the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA), the Office of Government (OOG), and the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam (DAV)have successfully completed a “Specialist Certificate in University Teaching” short course, funded by the Australian Government through the Vietnam Australia Centre (VAC). This is the second cohort to complete the flagship course, which includes comprehensive training, site visits and practical projects in Vietnam and Australia, delivered over 10 months.
Delivered in collaboration with the University of Melbourne, the course equipped participants with knowledge and strategies to enrich student learning and boost the effectiveness of university teaching. Throughout the course, participants engaged in research-based, theoretical seminars and practical exercises involving curriculum design, micro-teaching, and peer review. They also experienced Australia’s best teaching practices, visited educational institutions, explored Australian culture, and engaged in knowledge exchange activities, expanding their understanding of innovative teaching methods and educational technologies.
Participants of the “Specialist Certificate in University Teaching” short course and special guests the graduation ceremony.
Dr Dao Ngoc Bau, Director General, HCMA Institute of International Politics and Relations, said, “Studying the Specialist Certificate in University Teaching has been an invaluable experience for me to explore advanced teaching methodologies and immerse in a dynamic and modern academic environment. As a lecturer, I deeply appreciate the knowledge I have gained. My time in Melbourne further broadened my perspective, offering me firsthand lessons from Australia’s development and inspiring new ideas to share with peers and students, contributing to the overall enhancement of teaching quality at HCMA.”
Training activities and field visits.
Ms Vu Phuong Anh, DAV Lecturer said, “Participating in the SCUT program was truly a valuable experience for me as a young lecturer. I had the opportunity to explore key principles of university teaching including the student-centred philosophy and innovative methods in teaching and assessment. The program offered me a great opportunity to connect with senior colleagues & lecturers from both Vietnam and Australia to share experiences, learn from each other, and grow together as educators.”
Panel discussion at SCUT2 symposium
As part of the learning outcomes, participants undertook 15 application projects on topics such as technology-enhanced teaching and learning, inclusive curriculum and assessment design, and institutional capacity building. Curated for Vietnam’s context, these application projects are enhancing learners’ experience in impactful ways across several key fields and allowed participants to continuously improve their pedagogical approaches, fostering a culture of self-assessment and professional growth.
Selected application project presentations at SCUT2 symposium
Speaking at the Graduation Ceremony for SCUT 2, Ms Renee Deschamps, Chargé d’affaires, Australian Embassy in Vietnam, said, “Australia is proud to bring our expertise to build the teaching capabilities of lectures at our foundational partners, who are responsible for providing training for current and emerging leaders of Vietnam. We are keen to see your application projects continue after today and I am sure that they will have generational impacts for your students, who are emerging leaders of Vietnam, in years to come.”
Ms Renee Deschamps, Deputy Head of Mission, Australian Embassy in Vietnam congratulates participants for completing SCUT2.
Australia and Vietnam celebrated the first anniversary of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in March, continuing the journey as trusted partners. The Vietnam Australia Centre remains as the centrepiece of this partnership. Under the plan of action of this CSP, supporting Vietnam’s future leaders in strategic leadership and international engagement is a highlighted commitment between the two countries./.
