Schooling Vietnamese students in the art of business
After graduating from an MBA
programme in the US, Chi wondered why the National Economics University
(NEU) did not have a similar programme for business management.
When Professor Jim McCullough from Washington State University (WSU)
suggested that the two universities co-operate on such a programme, it
was too good an opportunity to pass up, Chi said.
"At that time it was very difficult to bring such a pilot programme to
Vietnam," recalled Chi, deputy director of NEU's International School of
Management and Economics (ISME).
"Administrative
procedures in Vietnam were very cumbersome. In addition, Vietnam-US
relations was just nomalised, so our programme was still considered
sensitive because we were co-operating with a 'sensitive' US partner.
"I had to spend more than one year visiting relevant
agencies and ministries to ask for their agreement. But we still
received unclear answers. I never lost hope, though. I thought if the
programme was approved by the Government, Vietnam would enter a new era
and we would have future leaders to build the country."
Chi's efforts finally paid off. Her plan received approval from the
Prime Minister and in 2000, she was able to start Vietnam's first MBA
programme at the Faculty of International Education now the
International School of Management and Economics (ISME). Since then,
hundreds of students have graduated from the programme.
"These graduates have helped Vietnam address its need for qualified
economic managers," said deputy minister of Education and Training Banh
Tien Long.
Chi's students say her influence cannot
be overstated. Vu Tung, director of the Creative Nature Group, recalled
that when he joined the programme, Chi was the first teacher to approach
him. She spoke to him about his programme of study and activities as
well as what he wanted to do after graduation.
"My
life has completely changed since I entered the programme for MBA
degrees. She changed my outlook on life," Tung said.
"I consider Chi my sister and my parent because apart from teaching us
new knowledge and taking care of us with love, she cares about our
future, encouraging us to study well and sign contracts with quality
companies - including foreign-invested ones - after graduation."
What most impressed him about Chi, he said, was her respect for
student ideas. When Tung shared ideas with her, she made him "feel very
confident".
And just as Chi welcomed him, she
ensured that he did the same for others. When the school created a new
project or programme, Tung said, she invited him to help support and
encourage new students by saying: "This is very important for a student
to learn well and to live well."
Chi and her former
colleague Associate Prof Dr Bui Anh Tuan (who is now head of the
Ministry of Education and Training's University Education Department)
also established the Vietnam-Belgium Masters Programme, a co-operation
between NEU and Universite Libre de Bruxelles (ULB). Thousands of
government employees and businessmen attended the programme, hoping to
improve their knowledge so they could achieve the country's goals of
industrialisation and modernisation.
"I'm very happy
I got the chance to study in the programme, which is very helpful for
my outlook and my business," said Vu Hoang Lien, head of Vietnam Post
and Telecommunication's 4G Project, who will join thousands of alumni to
celebrate the school's 10th anniversary on December 3.
He also expressed thanks to Chi, saying she influenced him not only
when it came to research, but also in terms of life skills.
"I really admire Dr Chi for her open-mindedness and the ways she helps and supports her students," Lien said.
Tran Thi Ha, director of the MoET's Department of University,
appreciated Chi's efforts in bringing such programmes to the country to
meet increasing demand.
Chi also initiated the
International Bachelor's Degree (IBD@NEU) programme, which aims to
create an international learning environment where students can
experiment with new ideas and explore new knowledge with caring support.
The programme is designed to meet international
academic requirements and also teach information applicable to the
business environment both in Vietnam and the world, according to Chi.
Nguyen Thai Son from Hanoi said that thanks to the
programme, his son could access international classes and modern
education facilities without wasting time and money studying abroad.
Chi's young staff, Ho Hoang Lan, said Chi has created very good environment for young and qualified staff to work.
"Although having to work very hard to meet requirement of modern
education, we still feel very happy and be rewarded of both spiritual
and materials as we do not have to do an extra job to earn our living as
others," Lan said.
The university system in Vietnam
has changed significantly since the programme was first introduced in
2000. As of this year, Vietnam has 476 State-and-private-owned
university education units including 207 universities, 214 colleges and
55 with PhD programmes.
There has been 480 such
international co-operation programmes on university education, Master
and PhD with foreign countries todate, said Dr Tuan, director of MoET's
University Department.
A lot more is at stake than
simply lessons. By providing international-level educations, these
institutions aim to enhance Vietnam's competitiveness as a nation.
"Creating a studying society and conditions for all people to study is
very important for our country's integration," Minister of Education
and Training Pham Vu Luan said.-VNA