USAID WBL Training Project: Designing a training program to help students with practical experience of the work
22/10/2018
In order to share the active teaching methods for the lecturers, on October 20, 1818, the USAID COMET Team of the University of Economics – The University of Danang organized the "Work-based Learning" (WBL). The course was attended by a senior management representative from the USAID project: PhD. Suparb Pasong; Representative of Board of Directors: Assoc.Prof.PhD Nguyen Manh Toan - School Principal, Assoc.Prof.PhD Vo Thi Thuy Anh - Vice Rector; Team leader of USAID COMET project of University of Economics: Assoc. Prof.PhD Doan Ngoc Phi Anh and head teachers, lecturers.
Speaking at the course, Assoc. Prof.PhD. Nguyen Manh Toan expressed his delight at the participation of consultants and senior management from USAID COMET project, which showed the interest of the project to the lecturers and students of the school. Since its inception at the University of Economics – The University of Danang, the USAID COMET project has contributed to sharing positive teaching methods for faculty, and equipping students with the skills and knowledge to gain knowledge to compete in professional working environment.
Through the course, the school's management board also expects the faculty to apply the experience, share from the project, and further enhance the practical experience of the work on teaching. Thereby, help the university to implement the goal of "learning together with action" to continue to improve the quality of training and to meet international standards.
Assoc.Prof.PhD Nguyen Manh Toan gave a speech at the course
Ph.D Suparb Pasong was also very excited about the development of the USAID COMET project team after more than two years of project implementation at the University of Economics – The University of Danang, especially the positive effects of the project spread to faculty and students. A senior manager from USAID COMET said that he would continue to coordinate and assist the school in consulting and organizing courses and workshops to further improve teaching methods at the University of Economics – The University of Danang in the near future.
Ph.D. Suparb Pasong shared with the school staff about Work-based Learning
At the training course, representatives from the USAID Project Team: Ph.D Nguyen Huu Cuong explained the meaning and importance of integrating work experience in teaching. Accordingly, in addition to professional knowledge, enterprises now require practical work experience from workers. On the other hand, the experience of student work is accumulated through internships, field trips, and a number of subjects related to practice. That is not enough to meet the requirements of the business that employers have to organize the training and training for the "rookie". Therefore, enhancing and integrating work experience into the subject matter is what the University has to do in order to create the trust of the business community in the quality of human resources as well as the students' confidence and comprehensive development.
Ph.D Nguyen Huu Cuong presents the importance of work-based learning.
The course is also a forum for teachers to share their own experiences in integrating practical industry experience into the course. Along with that, difficulties in implementing this practical teaching method such as limiting the time of a lesson, the ability to link, connecting with external businesses, the interaction of business with students
Proposed solutions, Assoc.Prof.Ph.D Nguyen Manh Toan said that lecturers should implement real integration from year 1 for students, from specific examples to images, clips or visual tools. In addition to accessing businesses and companies outside, the University encourages faculty to bring students to the field, to contact the work of the department, on the campus. Besides, the building and putting into practice of Tourism, Marketing, and the practical areas for accounting, finance - banking will be the place to bring knowledge and professional practice for students of the University. In addition, channels such as the Student Club, Alumni will also help students reach the realities of the profession effectively.
Teachers shared practical experience in teaching
Many activities at the course also help faculty members to increase the level of practical knowledge in appropriate subjects, instruct and support students for a successful internship, internship, counseling, additional work related to the student's field of study, or the most basic skills in preparing CVs, planning, communication, etc. These are useful knowledge to help students adapt to the working environment. In addition, the course also equips participants with the WBL Toolkit of the USAID COMET Project, which guides the organization of effective implementation of WBL student activities and instruction for the implementation of WBL activities in the courses.
The "Work-based Learning" course has been a success with the enthusiasm and active participation of the staff of the University of Economics – The University of Danang. This is not only the experience of new teaching methods, positive for teachers but also the basis for the University to continue to adjust and reform the teaching methods and formal training programs to meet demand for high quality human resources of enterprises today.
Besides the "Work-based Learning" course, the USAID COMET project also brings to the workshop "Designing Institutionalization Workshop" with the direct teaching of Ph.D. Suparb Pasong. The workshop took place on 18 October, introduced the teaching design tools and developed the MekongSkill2Work (MS2W) models in innovation teaching methods at the University of Economics – The University of Danang. The participants also learn about teaching and learning methods at the school through interviews with lecturers, students and leaders of departments, departments and centers. This is an academic activity aimed at helping students actively and actively equip themselves with the skills they need to be ready to enter the labor market as soon as they graduate. In addition, the instructors will change their teaching methods to be appropriate for each subject.