Presentation on postgraduate training programs at UCC

University College Cork (UCC) (Ireland), founded in 1845, is the only university to have been named University of the Year four times in the past decade by the Sunday Times. UCC was Ireland's first 5-star university according to QS Stars; it was ranked among the world's leading universities by Subject in 2016 by QS World University Rankings, with 14 subject areas in the top 300 globally. Furthermore, it was the first university to be awarded the International Green Flag for its environmental friendliness. UCC attracts a large international student body, with over 3,000 students from more than 100 countries worldwide. UCC degrees are recognized globally; approximately 20,000 students have completed undergraduate and postgraduate programs there.

UCC is divided into four faculties: the Faculty of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences; the Faculty of Business and Law; the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Food Science; and the Faculty of Pharmacy and Health. Each faculty has its own training programs. The Faculty of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, in particular, offers programs closely related to the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, such as Philosophy, Social Work, Politics, Language and Culture, and Applied Psychology.

During the presentation, Dr. Pham Thanh Long also shared her experiences studying and working at University College Cork. According to her, to successfully apply for scholarships at UCC, as well as any foreign university, it's crucial to clearly define your goals and then persistently and diligently pursue them. She advised Vietnamese students not to study solely for a degree, but to establish and realize higher aspirations. She believes that studying abroad is only a necessary condition for students to further develop the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to the community and society in the future. She also emphasized the need to accumulate work experience before pursuing higher education such as master's and doctoral degrees. Only through work experience can graduates understand their strengths and weaknesses to choose a suitable field of study. Dr. Pham Thanh Long hopes that students of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities will make the right decision for themselves. UCC always welcomes students who possess the necessary skills, qualities, and ambitions.

Dr. Pham Thanh Long has been a research fellow at the Centre for International Energy Research, University College Cork, UCC since 2014, following five years working at IBM in Vietnam. Her main research focus is on citizen participation in smart city programs, local policy development, and technology adoption management. She is currently running a program in partnership with Cork Smart Gateway, aiming to build a database for smart city projects in Cork in collaboration with citizens, businesses, academics, and local authorities. Dr. Pham Thanh Long has also supported the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in developing the "International Development" specialization within the Faculty of International Studies, under the framework of cooperation between the University and University College Cork.