To contribute to promoting a practical, sustainable, and modern enterprise model within universities, Nam Can Tho University, in collaboration with the Saigon Economic Times, organized a seminar titled “Developing the Enterprise Model within Universities” on the morning of July 30, 2020, at Hall E2, DNC Multifunctional Practice Area.

Delegates attended the seminar, including Mr. Nguyễn Khánh Tùng, Director of the Can Tho City Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism; Mr. Tống Văn Nhịn, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Can Tho City Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee; Mr. Trần Minh Hùng, Editor-in-Chief of the Saigon Economic Times; Mr. Nguyễn Phương Lam, Director of the Can Tho Branch of VCCI; Mr. Đoàn Huỳnh Duy Khương, CEO of Hau Giang Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company; Mr. Nguyễn Trung Trí, Deputy General Director of PetroVietnam Construction Joint Stock Corporation; along with scientific professors, representatives of companies and enterprises collaborating with the university, media agencies, and press units. Representing the university were Dr. Lawyer Nguyễn Tiến Dũng, Chairman of the University Council; Labor Hero, People’s Teacher, Prof. Dr. Võ Tòng Xuân, Rector of the university; members of the Rectorate; representatives of affiliated units; and over 200 NCTU students.

Guest delegates taking a photo with NCTU leadership

In his opening speech, Labor Hero, People’s Teacher, Prof. Dr. Võ Tòng Xuân, Rector of Nam Can Tho University, stated that in Vietnam, education and training often remain at the “understanding” level of Bloom and Krathwohl’s taxonomy of educational objectives. Students are taught to achieve high exam scores in the general education system but lack the ability to apply knowledge practically. In vocational and university education, practical training hours or periods are slightly more advanced but still fall short of high standards. According to him, employers seek graduates who have reached the highest level of training, namely “creativity.”

Dr. Lawyer. Nguyễn Tiến Dũng, Chairman of the University Council, delivering the seminar’s keynote speech

Labor Hero, People’s Teacher, Prof. Dr. Võ Tòng Xuân, Rector of the university, delivering the opening speech

The first session of the seminar featured five presentations, all focusing on various aspects of the enterprise model within universities, including: Enterprises in universities: Interaction with training activities; Developing linkages between university-based enterprises and external businesses in human resource training; Aligning training with enterprise needs – a practical perspective; and the tourism enterprise model within universities at DNC. Nam Can Tho University is one of the pioneering institutions actively implementing the enterprise model within universities to address limitations and achieve “fundamental and comprehensive educational reform.”.

Images of guest delegates

Meritorious Teacher, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Đào Duy Huân, Vice Rector of Nam Can Tho University

Nguyễn Ngọc Lê (M.Pharm), Deputy Dean of the NCTU Faculty of Pharmacy, presenting on “The School-Enterprise Model at Nam Can Tho University.”

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Tri Khiêm, Dean of the Faculty of Economics at Nam Can Tho University, for the enterprise model within universities to be highly effective, universities need to study specific policies, develop a complete operational management system, and recruit experienced managers to lead and operate these enterprises within the institution.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Tri Khiêm, Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Nam Can Tho University

The second session of the program was a panel discussion on the enterprise model within universities, which received numerous questions, suggestions, and practical solutions. Notably, Master Nguyễn Du Hạ Long, representative of the Board of Directors of Nam Can Tho DNC Trading Co., Ltd., proposed solutions to the question of how NCTU, with its tourism enterprise model (including restaurants, hotels, and travel services), prioritizes student internships and practical training while addressing quality assurance issues. Additionally, Mr. Đoàn Huỳnh Duy Khương, CEO of Hau Giang Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company, shared insights on expanding the market for DNC’s products in the future.

Labor Hero, People’s Teacher, Prof. Dr. Võ Tòng Xuân, Rector of the university, and Mr. Trần Minh Hùng, Editor-in-Chief of the Saigon Economic Times, moderating the panel discussion

Nguyễn Du Hạ Long (M.A.), Director of the Center for Tourism Development and Entrepreneurship, representative of the Board of Directors of Nam Can Tho DNC Trading Co., Ltd

Mr. Đoàn Huỳnh Duy Khương, CEO of Hau Giang Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company

Dr. Lawyer Nguyễn Tiến Dũng, Chairman of the University Council, shared initial results of implementing the enterprise model within Nam Can Tho University:

“The university has established enterprises to build the enterprise model within the university, such as the Nam Mien Nam Group, Nam Can Tho General Hospital Co., Ltd., Nam Can Tho DNC Trading Co., Ltd., and the Institute of Medicinal Materials Research and Development under the university. These entities undertake investment projects that combine business activities with providing practical training and internship opportunities for all disciplines offered by the university. This is a long-term strategy that aligns well with the current policy of reforming educational and training management.

After more than seven years of establishment and development (from January 25, 2013, to January 25, 2020), Nam Can Tho University has stabilized its operational structure and invested in infrastructure, equipment, practical laboratories, an electronic library, computer rooms, and modern teaching and learning materials to support training and scientific research. The university currently serves over 12,000 students and trainees, with approximately 3,000 graduates who have contributed to the human resource needs of Can Tho City and the Mekong Delta region.”