Education & Times – Dong Thap University has proposed that it be considered and enabled to participate in the development of human resources for the Mekong Delta through training programs commissioned by local authorities.
This proposal was presented by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ho Van Thong, Rector of Dong Thap University, at a seminar on education and scientific research held on the morning of April 6.
The event gathered representatives from the Department of General Education and the Department of Planning and Finance under the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET), along with leaders from Dong Thap University and the Departments of Education and Training (DoET) of Can Tho City, and the provinces of Hau Giang, Soc Trang, An Giang, Vinh Long, and Dong Thap.
The seminar was part of the STEM Education Festival – “STEM Around Us”, jointly organized by the Education & Times Newspaper, Dong Thap University, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, and the Dong Thap DoET.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ho Van Thong expressed the university's desire to become a strategic and long-term partner with provincial education departments in training and professional development for teachers and educational managers.
"The university commits to providing highly qualified faculty and flexible training programs tailored to the specific needs of each unit," he emphasized.
With regard to upgrading teacher qualifications under Government Decree 71/2020, Dong Thap University proposed that local education departments support its participation in human resource development via commissioned training schemes.
"The university has extensive experience in delivering qualification enhancement programs for teachers across various localities, with a full range of pedagogical disciplines aligned with the 2018 General Education Curriculum," Dr. Thong added.
For short-term professional development, the university ensures that its teaching staff remain up-to-date and capable of meeting requirements for in-service training under the new national curriculum. Dong Thap University is ready to design customized training programs—both long- and short-term—based on the specific needs of each educational institution.
"Our training offerings span a wide range of fields, from pedagogical methods and education management to subject-specific areas such as natural sciences, information technology, and technology," Dr. Thong shared.
In 2024, Dong Thap University rose 34 places in the VNUR (Vietnam’s University Rankings), ranking 38th nationwide and 2nd among the 8 universities in the Mekong Delta region.
The university also places strong emphasis on training programs tailored to local needs, especially for educators in disadvantaged or specialized areas. "We will prioritize partnerships for qualification upgrading and teacher training, while also providing financial and infrastructural support to ensure the effective implementation of collaborative programs," Dr. Thong affirmed.
Dr. Nguyen Quoc Vu, Vice Rector of Dong Thap University, stated that with over 50 years of experience in training teachers and educational managers, the university is among the 14 key higher education institutions identified in the national education network development plan toward 2030, with a vision to 2045.
The university currently holds a 4-star rating for application-oriented education. Its Mathematics Teacher Education program has achieved a 5-star UPM quality benchmark. Two additional teacher training programs are scheduled for evaluation in 2025.
In terms of admissions, Dong Thap University will offer 5,500 slots in 2025 via five admission pathways: national high school exam results, high school academic transcripts, direct admissions, V-SAT exam scores, and competency assessment scores from Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM).
The university will also partner with VNU-HCM to organize the competency test for over 2,000 students and coordinate with the National Assessment Center to deliver four rounds of the V-SAT exam in 2025.
Mr. Nguyen Van De, Chair of the Scientific and Training Council of Dong Thap University, proposed the formation of research groups between the university and high schools across the Mekong Delta.
"High school teachers in the region are highly capable. Creating collaborative research groups would significantly enhance educational development in the region," he stated.
Mr. De pointed out that the 2018 General Education Curriculum has shifted toward competency development, introducing many innovative elements. However, challenges remain in implementation due to the region’s unique context.
"Research groups are essential to ensure successful implementation," he suggested, emphasizing five key areas for research:
Career-oriented education: Only 18% of Mekong Delta students currently pursue vocational education. Research is needed to help students and parents understand its value, especially in ethnic minority boarding schools—an important potential workforce.
Integrated education models, particularly in STEM, to modernize teaching practices and align with global trends.
Experiential learning models, which are a central feature of the new curriculum.
Legal education models to promote early legal awareness and behavioral standards among students.
Local education models tailored to the specific conditions of each province.
From these models, Dong Thap University will assign experts to work with local education and science departments to connect efforts, foster collaboration, and establish joint development platforms.
Dr. Dinh Minh Tung, Deputy Director of the Department of Planning and Finance (MoET), commended Dong Thap University's contributions and encouraged it to continue addressing practical challenges and to boldly propose solutions to the ministry.
Dr. Do Duc Que, Deputy Director of the Department of General Education (MoET), highlighted the importance of teacher training programs that reflect actual needs—especially in integrated subjects, which are becoming increasingly prominent in the new curriculum.
"Many teaching disciplines were previously monolithic, but the current demands on teachers are more complex, diverse, and dynamic," Dr. Que noted, stressing the importance of aligning training with real-world needs and teacher competencies.
He also underscored the importance of career-oriented experiential activities as key to the holistic development of students under the new curriculum, with programs such as STEM playing a crucial role.
Regarding local education, Dr. Que emphasized that upcoming provincial mergers require urgent attention to rebuilding locally relevant education programs. He called for training strategies that equip teachers to teach new and integrated subjects effectively.
Finally, Dr. Que stressed the critical role of developing the leadership and management capabilities of school administrators, especially high school principals, who are instrumental in shaping and implementing strategic educational plans.
"Education has never received as much attention from the Party and State as it does now," he stated. "The transformation of education through digitalization, e-portfolios, digital resources, and test banks marks a powerful new era of development."
Mr. Tran Thanh Binh, Director of the Can Tho Department of Education and Training, noted that the Mekong Delta has made significant progress in general education quality. However, recruiting qualified teachers remains a challenge.
While Can Tho's teacher shortage is not as severe as in other provinces—currently lacking about 500 teachers—the city continues to seek solutions.
"We will soon announce incentive policies to attract graduates from Dong Thap University to address the teacher shortage," Mr. Binh said.
He added that Can Tho will also facilitate teaching internships for Dong Thap University students, considering this a strategic step in building a high-quality teaching workforce for the city.
News & Photos: Quoc Hai – Education & Times Newspaper
Translation: Mai Thi Thao