Businesses recruiting students majoring in Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine

Adaptation

A recent survey conducted by the University of Economics, Hue University, revealed that out of 782 students, 748 found their job immediately after graduation, accounting for an impressive 96% employment rate in the first year. During the certification ceremony for quality standards in the period 2, it was mentioned that independent surveys indicated a high rate of students finding suitable jobs.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Truong Tan Quan, the Rector of the University of Economics, stated that they frequently organize, review, and update their training programs. Moreover, they provide foundational and in-depth knowledge of professions for students to enhance soft skills, and increase practical skills to ensure that they can meet the demands of society.

At present, the college has established partnerships with about 100 domestic and international businesses and corporations in collaboration training, technology transfer, and workforce supply, benefiting both parties. The collaboration between the college and businesses helps  make the training programs more practical and less theoretical.

Collaboration training between universities and businesses is an objective need arising from the mutual benefits of both parties. Businesses play a crucial role in providing information for educational institutions to understand the labor market's needs, aligning with social needs, including those of the businesses.

 The Increasing Need for Practicality in Education

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Lich, Head of the Department of Engineering and Technology, Hue University, mentioned a program in their curriculum called "Training in collaboration with businesses based on business orders." The department designs training programs with output standards based on the employment needs of businesses, such as English language skills, information technology skills, and soft skills. Students participate in learning at businesses, and the business personnel actively involve in the training.

In addition, the department connects with businesses to supply labor to markets in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Europe. This involves providing language, cultural, and vocational skills to students to meet the labor requirements of these markets.

Currently, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine at the College of Agriculture and Forestry in Hue has four classes with approximately 150 students trained based on orders from Greenfeed Vietnam Joint Stock Company. After nearly 10 years of collaboration, students from the university are carefully selected for these classes through interviews. The content of teaching is discussed and considered thoroughly by both the training institution and the business. Besides the knowledge imparted by university lecturers, students also receive training from company experts in animal husbandry, veterinary medicine, and soft skills. They undergo practical training at animal farms, guided by farm staff.

According to Mr. Nguyen Duy Dong, Head of the High-level Training Department at GreenFeed Joint Stock Company, graduates from the university are employees with expertise, soft skills, and good adaptability to work. This has been proven in practice, as almost 100% of the students pass job interviews after graduation and are currently employed by the company.

Changing Approaches

The first collaboration between the University of Sciences, Hue University and the Japan Internship Support Association was to send five students to intern in Japan. These students have returned and, to date, have graduated with degrees in electrical engineering. Right after graduation, four out of five new engineers were interviewed and recruited to work in Japan.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Ngoc Tuyen, Vice President of the University of Sciences, Hue University, analyzed that many partners have evaluated Vietnamese students, especially those from Hue, as hardworking, eager to learn, and having a high sense of responsibility. These criteria make them desirable for recruiters abroad. In the current "flat world," international integration is obligatory to enhance the quality of education. Students being trained in Vietnam then working abroad after graduation is a new direction that needs to be promoted.

According to Mr. Nguyen Trung Kien, Head of the Student Affairs Department at the University of Law, in the current era of financial autonomy, competition among universities in attracting students is intensifying, requiring the school not only changes in programs that align with social needs but also changes in management models, administration, and various other areas of operation, as the business model. This adaptation is novel and, of course, must be based on existing regulations.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Anh Phuong, Director of Hue University, provided two significant figures. Firstly, students from all 54 provinces and cities in the country are choosing Hue University for their studies. Secondly, in the 2024 QS Asia University Rankings, the reputation criterion with employers placed Hue University at a high position. This demonstrates that social evaluation, especially from businesses, is returning positively to Hue University.

According to Dr. Le Anh Phuong, to maintain these indices and reputation, Hue University is expanding its higher education network collaborations to share resources, activities, and support each other's development. For example, Hue University recently collaborated with the National University of Ho Chi Minh City in exchanging lecturers, building and sharing undergraduate and postgraduate training programs, and moving towards mutual credit recognition. The two institutions are cooperating to create inter-university research groups, advancing to building national-level research groups, sharing facilities and resources for research, and exchanging experiences in university management.

Story and photos: Duc Quang