Integrating foundational scientific knowledge training with an entrepreneurial spirit for students.The workshop attracted over 80 delegates, including lecturers, scientists, managers, and businesspeople from state management agencies, universities, colleges, research organizations, production and business establishments, students, and trainees in Hanoi. The workshop was chaired by Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan - Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and Dr. Dao Minh Quang - Chairman of the Dao Minh Quang Foundation.
The workshop discussed five reports and received numerous contributions, suggestions, and solutions from experts on training and supporting Vietnamese students in establishing careers and sustainable entrepreneurship.
Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan - Secretary of the Party Committee, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi
In his opening remarks at the workshop, Professor Hoang Anh Tuan, Secretary of the Party Committee and Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU, stated that in recent years, the university has implemented a policy of harmonizing the training of in-depth knowledge and a solid foundation with equipping students with flexibility, proactiveness, and the ability to quickly adapt to social realities. Besides researching policies, the university particularly monitors graduation trends and employment opportunities for VNU-USSH students as well as those from other universities.
Accordingly, students of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities not only work in their trained fields but also in many other areas. Many students have developed a strong entrepreneurial spirit based on the knowledge acquired at the university. "Clearly, students' thinking about careers has changed; they are charting their own course and seeking out good job opportunities," said Professor Hoang Anh Tuan.
Rector Hoang Anh Tuan shared that the Entrepreneurship module has been officially included in the training programs of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities for many years, aiming to spread the spirit of innovation, entrepreneurship, and prepare students for integration and entrepreneurship. The cooperation with the Dao Minh Quang Foundation in implementing the Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurship Project at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities is a concrete manifestation of the university's policy.
Based on the initial achievements of the Sustainable Career Development and Entrepreneurship Project at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.At the workshop, the organizers announced and introduced the Sustainable Career and Entrepreneurship Project at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, funded by the Dao Minh Quang Foundation of the Federal Republic of Germany. The project includes several key components such as professional activities, implementation progress, and deliverables of each activity, intended for practical training and entrepreneurship practice for students and trainees in universities and colleges. The novelty and focus of this project is the practical training based on the German Sustainable Career model for individuals wishing to pursue careers and entrepreneurship, typically aged 18 to 35.
Dr. Dao Minh Quang - Chairman of the Dao Minh Quang Foundation, Head of the Advisory Board for the Sustainable Career and Entrepreneurship Project at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
Introducing the project, Dr. Dao Minh Quang - Chairman of the Dao Minh Quang Foundation and Head of the Project Advisory Board - stated that the overarching idea of the project is to implement training programs aimed at equipping students with an understanding of sustainable career development and entrepreneurship in terms of economics, society, and the environment.
Previously, on November 13, 2023, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the Dao Minh Quang Foundation signed a Framework Agreement on Cooperation and Funding for the Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Start-up Project in Vietnam based on the German model, specifically for research, compilation of teaching materials and curricula, and implementation of practical training courses in the field of sustainable entrepreneurship and start-up in Vietnam.
The Dao Minh Quang Foundation, in collaboration with the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, has compiled 17 volumes of handbooks, each approximately 100 pages long, containing simple, easy-to-understand explanations and specific examples from the business practices of Dr. Dao Minh Quang and other entrepreneurs and scientists.
Speaking at the workshop, Associate Professor Dr. Trieu The Hung - Vice Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Education - stated that the Federal Republic of Germany has always been one of the leading countries in Europe in entrepreneurship and innovation. The startup model and practices in Germany will contribute to spreading the spirit of sustainable entrepreneurship to Vietnamese youth in general and at universities in particular. The handbook, compiled from the practical experiences of the Federal Republic of Germany as well as the personal experiences of entrepreneur Dr. Dao Minh Quang, will contribute to the entrepreneurial journey of students at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in particular and other universities in general.
Associate Professor Dr. Trieu The Hung - Vice Chairman of the Committee on Culture and Education of the National Assembly
Dr. Nguyen Duc Kien, a member of the Government Advisory Group, highly appreciated the value of the project and its handbook on entrepreneurship for Vietnamese youth. He expressed his hope that, with the current development of technology, the project will continue to provide new and updated knowledge, becoming a "living guide" by applying AI technology.
Dr. Nguyen Duc Kien - Former Head of the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Group, Former Vice Chairman of the National Assembly's Economic Committee, delivered a speech at the conference.
Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Manh Dung - Head of the Faculty of Management Science, said that the project has been implemented with many different activities.
According to Ms. Do Thuy Duong, President and CEO of TalentPool, the project's outstanding advantage lies in its comprehensive handbook, a collaborative effort between experienced startup experts, entrepreneurs, and investors, and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, a university with a long history and the largest student community in the country across diverse fields. Ms. Do Thuy Duong emphasized: “I would like to use three words to describe the project: Diverse, Massive, Large-Scale, and Sustainable.” Accordingly, the project exhibits diversity in its approach, presentation style, and target audience; a massive workload and numerous products; and a large number of experts participating in supporting its completion. Particularly noteworthy is the unique and distinctive aspect of the handbook: its "sustainability."
Ms. Do Thuy Duong - President and CEO of TalentPool
Experience in training and advising students on career development and sustainable entrepreneurship in Vietnam.According to Dr. Mac Quoc Anh - Member of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Director of the Institute of Economics and Business Development, Secretary of the Party Committee/Vice President/General Secretary of the Hanoi Small and Medium Enterprises Association, and former student of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, in the context of globalization and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the startup movement has become an inevitable trend in Vietnam, especially for young people and students.
Dr. Mac Quoc Anh presented a comprehensive overview of the student entrepreneurship situation from 2010 to the present, along with specific proposals and solutions.
Since 2010, the government and various organizations have aimed to promote entrepreneurship to create jobs, reduce unemployment, and generate new products and services. In Hanoi, as the country's largest educational center, universities have played a crucial role in fostering this movement. The number of student-led startup projects in Hanoi increased fivefold from 2010 to 2023. From just 100 projects in 2010, this number reached 500 in 2023. These student startup projects have attracted a total investment of over 300 billion VND from investment funds, businesses, and non-governmental organizations.
Forecasts from Hanoi National University indicate that the number of student-led startup projects could grow by 10-15% annually, with a focus on technology, education, and sustainable agriculture. The government's goal by 2030 is to have at least 10,000 student-led startup projects, with 50% of them expected to be large-scale and have a significant market impact.
However, Vietnamese students' entrepreneurial activities are also facing many difficulties. These include financial difficulties (lack of investment capital, limited access to funding), lack of practical experience, lack of management and business skills; and lack of connections with investors and businesses.
Associate Professor Dr. Truong Ngoc Kiem - Director of the Center for Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship Support, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, affirmed that universities are a very important component in the national innovation system and the startup ecosystem. Strong universities are a source of knowledge and technology for society, providing abundant creative ideas for startup projects, and contributing to the increase of assets and intellectual capacity of businesses.
Associate Professor Dr. Truong Ngoc Kiem - Director of the Center for Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship Support, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, emphasized the important role of universities in the entrepreneurial journey of students.
Universities and colleges have focused on teaching, training, and capacity building to enhance students' awareness and capabilities. They have implemented diverse content and methods to cultivate knowledge and skills, and provide resources to support students in transforming their ideas into viable business projects that benefit the community.
However, the development of curriculum frameworks, content, time, and training formats remains inconsistent and lacks common standards, making it impossible to share faculty resources, experiences, transfer knowledge, and provide mutual support in training and development activities related to innovation and entrepreneurship among universities and colleges.
Therefore, in the coming period, the Ministry of Education and Training, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and other higher education institutions need to improve the system of policies and mechanisms to consolidate trust, strengthen the organic and lasting link between universities and businesses, and enhance the compilation of curriculum frameworks, materials, textbooks, and learning resources on entrepreneurship and innovation so that the knowledge and skills provided to students are of high quality, effective, and substantial.
Dr. Nguyen Thi Hai Ha - Lecturer, Head of the Liberal Arts Education Group, University of Economics, VNU Hanoi, presented a report assessing the current state of training and career counseling for sustainable entrepreneurship in Vietnam (in-depth research at universities in Hanoi).
The workshop received many valuable contributions from experts, entrepreneurs, and students to effectively implement the Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Start-up Project not only at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities but also at many other universities in Vietnam.
Dao Minh Quang FundThe Dao Minh Quang Foundation is a charitable foundation of the Federal Republic of Germany, established by Dr. Dao Minh Quang in December 2016 in Berlin under the German Civil Code, carrying out public service and charitable activities. The Dao Minh Quang Foundation is officially recognized as an independent legal organization by the Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection of the State of Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany. The Foundation's objective is to encourage cooperative development between Vietnam and Germany through five main areas, particularly in promoting general education, vocational training, and higher education; encouraging sustainable entrepreneurship and startup projects; and promoting music and culture.
Since its establishment, the Foundation has supported and funded numerous projects in Germany and Vietnam. Over the years, in promoting general education, vocational training, and higher education, as well as music and culture, the Dao Minh Quang Foundation has provided billions of Vietnamese dong annually, primarily in the form of scholarships and awards for outstanding students from disadvantaged backgrounds, for musical talents, and to fund German-Vietnamese concert projects and programs, as well as cultural and musical exchange projects between Germany and Vietnam.
The University of Social Sciences and Humanities is the first university to be partnered with by the Foundation in implementing the Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Start-up Project in Vietnam, modeled after the German model, with a duration of 4 to 5 years.
Within the framework of cooperation, the Dao Minh Quang Foundation has also awarded annual scholarships to VNU-USSH students for many years. For the 2024-2025 academic year, the Foundation will award 28 scholarships to 28 students from various training programs at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, each scholarship worth 10,000,000 VND.
Related articles:
The Dao Minh Quang Foundation awarded 28 scholarships to VNU-USSH students.
Press Release: Award Ceremony of the Dao Minh Quang Foundation Scholarships for VNU-USSH Students for the 2024-2025 Academic Year
Signing ceremony of the cooperation agreement between VNU-USSH and the Dao Minh Quang Foundation.
Vietnam National University, Hanoi: The University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, focuses on training students while fostering an entrepreneurial spirit.
