Strengthening cooperation with Japanese partners in training human resources for the tourism industry

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Tsuchimoto Amane thanked the University for the warm and friendly reception for the delegation. He shared: During many working sessions between the President of Vietnam National University, Hanoi and Mr. Takebe Tsutomu, Special Advisor to the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentarians' Union, the two sides discussed and shared many ideas for joint cooperation with units under Vietnam National University, Hanoi, such as the establishment of the Center for Japanese Culture, Language and Technology; as well as human resource development in fields related to Nursing, Tourism, Culture, etc. To realize the discussed contents, as well as promote and implement those ideas, JICA Representative in Hanoi and the region wishes to meet and discuss directly with the University and the leaders of the Faculty of Tourism about cooperation and implementation plans in the near future. During today's meeting, the JICA delegation hopes that the School will share information about the current situation, achievements and difficulties in training human resources for tourism as well as cooperation opportunities between the two sides in the future.

Principal Hoang Anh Tuan supports and highly appreciates the idea of ​​establishing the Center for Japanese Culture, Language and Technology at Vietnam-Japan University, with the main activities being organizing training courses on Japanese language, Japanese culture, consulting, and career orientation for students in the fields of tourism, nursing, technology, etc. Currently, in Hanoi National University, the Faculty of Tourism Studies of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities is the only unit that provides systematic and high-quality training in Tourism Studies. When the Center for Japanese Culture, Language and Technology is officially established, the University's Board of Directors pledges to support and promote cooperation between the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the Center in teaching Japanese as well as training human resources for the tourism industry.
Head of the Faculty of Tourism Studies Pham Hong Long gave an overview of the establishment process, training programs of the Faculty of Tourism Studies as well as some contents that the two sides can cooperate on. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Long shared: The Faculty of Tourism Studies of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities is the first unit in Vietnam to train tourism studies at all three levels from bachelor, master to doctorate. Every year, the Faculty enrolls about 200 students for the two majors of Tourism Services Management and Travel and Hotel Management. With the knowledge and skills trained at the School, as well as good foreign language skills, graduates have very open career opportunities: continuing to study at higher levels domestically or abroad; working at centers, research institutes, government agencies, tourism management ministries, or private, joint venture, and foreign companies and enterprises in the field of tourism and travel. Every year, the Faculty of Tourism Studies carries out very effective cooperation activities in exchanging students and lecturers, organizing short-term courses, or receiving students for internships and practical training with many universities and educational institutions in the world and the region, including some schools in Japan.
During their studies and after graduation, students of the Faculty wish to study and work at universities and enterprises in Japan, both to increase their income and to have the opportunity to exchange and learn abroad, and to improve their foreign language skills. However, currently, most students still do not meet the requirements for Japanese proficiency because during their studies at the Faculty, they mainly use English. Therefore, through the connecting role of the JICA Office in Vietnam, the School and the Faculty of Tourism Studies hope to cooperate with many Japanese partners in teaching Japanese as well as training in the field of tourism.
Delegates participating in the JICA delegation discussed and proposed a number of areas where the two sides could cooperate: organizing Japanese language classes, linking and cooperating with companies and businesses in Japan, or Japanese businesses in Vietnam to support skills training for students, and connecting so that a large number of students have the opportunity to study and improve their qualifications in Japan.
At the end of the meeting, the representative of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities affirmed: The University always focuses and pays attention to expanding cooperation with domestic and foreign partners in the fields of training, scientific research, increasing practical opportunities, internships abroad for students not only in the tourism industry but also in other fields of study. Currently, there are more and more students and lecturers who want to learn Japanese, learn about Japanese culture to serve their studies and work. Hopefully, in the near future, with the support of the JICA Office in Vietnam, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities as well as units in VNU will have effective cooperation with Japanese partners in training human resources, career orientation, increasing job opportunities for students after graduation.
Some pictures of the working session