In response to the demand for globalization and educational improvements, on November 8, 2024, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education (HCMUTE) organized a conference titled "Developing Undergraduate Programs Taught in English with an Integrated Approach for International Integration." The conference served as an opportunity to evaluate the current English-taught programs and propose new measures to improve the quality of teaching, addressing the needs of the modern era.

The conference was attended by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Hieu Giang - Acting Rector, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chau Dinh Thanh - Vice Rector, Dr. Quach Thanh Hai - Vice Rector, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vo Viet Cuong - Director of the Training Department, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Truong Dinh Nhon - Head of the International Training Department, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Truong Nguyen Luan Vu - Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department, Dr. Dang Quang Vang - Head of the Economics Department, along with representatives from the leadership teams of various faculties and departments involved in developing English-taught programs.

Representatives from HCMUTE Leadership at the Conference

In his speech, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Hieu Giang emphasized that English is an essential skill for workers in the era of integration. He affirmed that implementing English-taught programs not only aims to develop students' language skills but also builds a foundation for professional competencies, enabling them to meet the demands of a knowledge-based economy. He also highlighted that in the 21st century, students' learning methods have changed significantly, requiring educational institutions to continuously innovate to meet their learning and development needs.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Truong Dinh Nhon, Head of the International Training Department, presented an evaluation report on 13 existing English-taught programs at the faculty. The report highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of these programs and proposed directions for future development. He also emphasized that programs should motivate students to learn and achieve outcomes that meet international standards.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Truong Dinh Nhon - Head of the International Training Department presents the evaluation report at the conference

Additionally, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Truong Nguyen Luan Vu - Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department, and Dr. Dang Quang Vang - Head of the Economics Department, shared their development directions for the programs in their respective fields. They emphasized that teaching specialized subjects in English helps students easily access international resources and gives them an advantage when working in multicultural environments.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Truong Nguyen Luan Vu - Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department shares at the conference

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vo Viet Cuong - Director of the Training Department, presented a discussion report on building undergraduate programs taught in English with an integrated approach that aligns with international standards. The program, designed to integrate bachelor's and master's degrees, is structured systematically, from bachelor's/engineer level to master's degree, ensuring flexibility and allowing students to set their own pace of study according to their abilities and conditions. Moreover, the program shortens the time needed to obtain a bachelor's degree and master's degree, allowing students to register and accumulate credits for master's level courses starting from the 3rd or 4th year of their undergraduate studies.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vo Viet Cuong - Director of the Training Department presents the discussion report

During the discussion, participants raised challenges and solutions related to designing English-taught programs. Contributions focused on improving the content and teaching methods for English, from basic English to specialized English. Notably, many suggested the need to establish new teaching methods and integrate credits, helping students absorb knowledge more effectively and stay motivated.

Some contributions at the conference

The conference was lively, with many specific proposals for improvements, opening new directions in university education. This is part of the university's effort to build a modern, high-quality training program, helping students not only excel in their professional fields but also master English, meeting the requirements of the global integration era.