Diversifying internship and practical activities for VNU-USSH students abroad

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Thi Thu Huong - Vice Principal of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU chaired the conference.

Internship and practical activities bring practical value to students' learning process.
In the summary report on internship activities presented at the Conference, MSc. Pham Van Hue - Deputy Head of Training Department said that the school focuses on implementing internship activities for students by increasing the duration of this study in training programs. From 2015 - 2020, internship activities in the country accounted for 89.9%, abroad accounted for 10.1%. From 2020 - 2023, due to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic, internship activities in the country accounted for 95.9% and abroad accounted for 4.1%.

Internships and practice will help students apply what they learn at school and in practice, experience the working environment at agencies, organizations and businesses, and gain life and work experience.
According to the survey results, 68.5% of surveyed students rated internship activities as important for students during their studies, 76.5% rated the internship time as reasonable, 72.2% were satisfied with the internship facilities introduced by the faculty/institute. The internship locations introduced by the school are reputable agencies, organizations, and businesses, students are interned in accordance with their majors. During the internship, students are cared for by teachers, and their questions are promptly resolved; the time for the two internship and graduation internship modules is reasonably allocated.
Reflecting the wishes of students, Master Pham Van Hue said that students suggested that faculties/institutes support finding internships early (from the 2nd year) and reputable internship units. The school needs to increase the number of internship days, organize more field trips and internship content that is more experiential.

Diversifying internship and practical activities for VNU-USSH students abroad
Internship and practical activities abroad have been implemented annually at many training units of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU. Faculties/institutes that regularly implement internship and practical activities abroad include the Faculty of Oriental Studies, International Studies, Linguistics, Tourism Studies, Literature, etc. The countries where the school organizes internships and practical activities include China, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, India, etc.
According to Associate Professor Dr. Bui Thanh Nam - Vice Chairman of the University Council, Head of Training Department, the school advocates diversifying internship and practical activities for students, emphasizing internship and practical activities abroad. This activity aims to open up opportunities for students to experience practical training at prestigious universities around the world, and on the other hand, attract international students to study at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU. In 2024, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities plans to attract 1,100 international students to study at the school and participate in cultural exchange activities at locations in Vietnam.

Speaking at the conference, Dr. Vu Minh Hai - Department of Cooperation and Development, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU said that following the direction of the Board of Directors on enhancing internship and practical activities for students abroad, in the past time, the Department of Cooperation and Development has promoted cooperation with many major universities in the world to organize this activity. It is expected that in 2024, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities will implement a student exchange program with 03 major academies and universities in China (Honghe Academy, Guilin University of Science and Technology and Electronics) and Thailand with reasonable costs for staff, lecturers and students of VNU-USSH.
Accordingly, students of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU will be able to participate in credit-recognized study programs at universities and academies, learn about languages, culture, traditional arts and practice at organizations and businesses in the host country. The exchange of credits and cultural exchanges with major academies and universities in the world will be a great advantage for students in the process of studying, cultivating, expanding knowledge and life experience.

The Faculty of Linguistics is a typical unit in organizing internship and practical programs for students at many major universities in Thailand, Taiwan, China... According to the survey, 100% of students participating in this activity are satisfied with the study time, funding and the values ​​that students receive during the internship and practical activities.

Concluding the conference, Associate Professor, Dr. Dang Thi Thu Huong directed:
1. Training units need to review and send feedback on the Document on Practical Internship Guidelines at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities to the School (via the Training Department) before April 5, 2024.
2. The Training Department, the Cooperation and Development Department, the Training Support and Cooperation Center and training units shall announce specific plans to promote internships and practical work for students abroad.
3. Continue to adjust the training program and training schedule to ensure favorable conditions for students to complete internship and practical programs that meet current regulations and rules.
4. Training units need to develop an internship plan according to the school year and need to notify students of the internship plan early, avoid overlapping final exams, ensure the output standards of the course, ensure compliance with regulations, rules, and forms. Expand the connection channel for internship facilities, share the database of internship facilities to help students practice and practice in the right major and profession they have been trained. Create job opportunities for students after internship and graduation.
5. The Training Department coordinates with the Planning and Finance Department to advise the Board of Directors to consider additional funding sources to support students, instructors, management and supervision departments to ensure better practical internships in the future.