Associate Professor Dr. Dang Thi Thu Huong - Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, chaired the conference.
Internships and practical training provide tangible value to students' learning process.In the summary report on internship and practical training activities presented at the Conference, Mr. Pham Van Hue, Deputy Head of the Training Department, stated that the university has focused on implementing internship and practical training activities for students by increasing the duration of these activities in its training programs. From 2015 to 2020, domestic internships accounted for 89.9%, while overseas internships accounted for 10.1%. From 2020 to 2023, due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, domestic internships accounted for 95.9% and overseas internships accounted for 4.1%.
Mr. Pham Van Hue, Deputy Head of the Training Department, presented the report summarizing the internship and practical training activities at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU Hanoi.
Internships and practical training will help students apply what they learn at school to real-world situations, experience the working environment at agencies, organizations, and businesses, and hone their life skills and work experience.
According to the survey results, 68.5% of surveyed students considered internships and practical training important during their studies, 76.5% considered the internship duration reasonable, and 72.2% were satisfied with the internship placements recommended by their faculties/institutes. The internship placements recommended by the university were reputable agencies, organizations, and businesses, ensuring students interned in fields relevant to their studies. During the internships, students received support from their instructors, with timely answers to their questions; the time allocated for the two internship modules (practical training and graduation internship) was also reasonable.
Reflecting the students' wishes, Mr. Pham Van Hue, M.Sc., stated that students proposed that faculties/institutes assist in finding internships early (from year 2), and that these internships be reputable. The university needs to increase the number of internship days, organize more field trips, and make the internship content more experiential.
Dr. Nguyen Thi Kim Chi - Deputy Head of the Faculty of Management Science - highly appreciated the school's policy of strongly promoting internships and practical training for students and proposed more open mechanisms for students to participate in these activities.
Dr. Dang Kim Khanh Ly - Head of the Sociology Department - proposed that the university expand regulations on internships and practical training for students in specialized fields of study.
Diversifying internship and practical training activities for VNU-USSH students abroad.Internship and practical training programs abroad have been implemented annually at many training units of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi. Faculties/institutes that regularly organize internships and practical training abroad include the Faculty of Oriental Studies, International Studies, Linguistics, Tourism Studies, Literature, etc. Countries where the university organizes internships and practical training include China, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, India, etc.
According to Associate Professor Bui Thanh Nam, Vice Chairman of the University Council and Head of the Training Department, the university aims to diversify internship and practical training activities for students, with a particular emphasis on internships and practical training abroad. This activity aims to broaden students' opportunities to experience practical training at prestigious higher education institutions worldwide, while also attracting international students to study at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi. In 2024, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities plans to attract 1,100 international students to study at the university and participate in cultural exchange activities in various locations across Vietnam.
Associate Professor Bui Thanh Nam - Vice Chairman of the University Council, Head of the Training Department, emphasized the policy of organizing internships and practical training for students abroad.
During the conference, Dr. Vu Minh Hai from the Cooperation and Development Department, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, stated that, following the directives of the Board of Directors regarding strengthening internship and practical training activities for students abroad, the Cooperation and Development Department has recently promoted cooperation with many major universities worldwide to organize these activities. It is expected that in 2024, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities will implement a student exchange program with three major academies and universities in China (Honghe Academy, Guilin University of Science and Technology and Electronics) and Thailand, with reasonable costs for VNU-USSH staff, lecturers, and students.
Accordingly, students of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, will participate in credit-recognized study programs at universities and academies, learning about language, culture, traditional arts, and gaining practical experience at organizations and businesses in host countries. Credit exchange and cultural interaction with major universities and academies worldwide will be a significant advantage for students in their studies, knowledge acquisition, and life experience expansion.
Dr. Vu Minh Hai - Cooperation and Development Department, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi
The Department of Linguistics is a leading unit in organizing internship and practical training programs for students at many major universities in Thailand, Taiwan, China, etc. According to surveys, 100% of students participating in these activities are satisfied with the study time, costs, and the value they receive during their internship and practical training.
Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thi Hong Hanh - Deputy Head of the Department of Linguistics, shared her experience regarding internships and practical training for students at universities abroad.
Dr. Vu Huong Lan - Deputy Head of the Faculty of Tourism Studies, contributed her opinions to the document "Guidelines for Internship and Practical Training at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi".
Dr. Nguyen Hong Duy - Deputy Head of the Department of Archival Studies and Office Management, proposed several points regarding regulations on documents and forms.
Dr. Dao Minh Quan - Director of the Center for Communication and Information Technology, former Deputy Head of the Training Department, shared his experience in organizing internships and practical training activities according to the regulations of Vietnam National University, Hanoi.
Concluding the conference, Associate Professor Dr. Dang Thi Thu Huong directed:
1. Training units need to review and send feedback on the Practical Internship Guidelines at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities to the University (via the Training Department) before April 5, 2024.
2. The Training Department, the Cooperation and Development Department, the Training Support and Cooperation Center, and the training units shall announce specific plans to promote internships and practical training for students abroad.
3. Continue to adjust the training program and schedule to ensure favorable conditions for students to complete their internship and practical training, in compliance with current regulations and rules.
4. Training units need to develop internship plans for each academic year and announce the actual internship schedule to students early, avoiding overlaps with end-of-course exams, ensuring the achievement of course learning outcomes, and adhering to regulations, rules, and forms. Expanding communication channels with internship facilities and sharing databases on internship locations will help students gain practical experience relevant to their field of study. This will create job opportunities for students after internships and graduation.
5. The Training Department, in coordination with the Planning and Finance Department, will advise the Board of Directors on considering additional funding to support students, supervising lecturers, and management/supervision staff, ensuring better practical training in the future.
The conference summarizing internship and practical training received many contributions from the leaders of functional departments/centers and faculties/institutes.
