In the framework of the collaboration between DTU and Kanazawa Institute of Technology (KIT), Japan, a ceremony for the foundation of the Vietnam–Japan Institute of Engineering and Technology (VJIET) was held at DTU on September 24. DTU and KIT already signed an official collaboration agreement. This is furthermore DTU’s first collaboration with a Japanese technology university.
Honorary delegates cutting the ribbon of the Vietnam-Japan Institute of Engineering and Technology, Danang
Additional opportunities and motivation, for human recourses in the 4.0 context
The VJIET depends directly from DTU. KIT is a VJIET cofounder. VJIET starts its operations with one office and four centers (responsible for training services, Japanese language training, Project Design (PD) and specialized training, and business relations).
VJIET is founded to be a “counterpart of Japanese universities in Danang and Central Vietnam”
The Institute’s functions will be to import and apply advanced pedagogical technology from Japan, organize enrollment, and provide domestic and foreign businesses with high-quality human resources (graduate and postgraduate), and particularly focus on Japanese businesses operating in Vietnam and Japan.
VJIET is expected to start enrollment in 2019
Distingushed Teacher Le Cong Co, DTU President, highly valued the collaboration results of the two universities, leading to today’s foundation of the Vietnam–Japan Institute.
“Vietnam is entering the Industrial Revolution 4.0,” he explained, “and today’s collaboration brings many opportunities and encouragement, helping us to meet these opportunities and especially to prepare high-quality human resources to meet the requirements of the Industrial Revolution 4.0.
“Collaborating with Japan, we can take advantage of their advanced educational programs and modern management models, which we will try and pick up, study, and apply to Vietnamese reality.
“We believe that, with efforts from both sides and with a harmonious blend of Vietnamese humanism and traditional culture with the Japanese spirit and culture, we will be able to train high-quality workers, satisfying the demands of the new times. These workers will develop Central Vietnam and the rest of the country while meeting recruitment requirements of Japanese businesses operational in Vietnam.”
Renowned formalism in education
After a period of mutual exchange and learning about each other’s capabilities and development opportunities, including the signing of an agreement, DTU and KIT, Japan, signed a deal and decided to work towards: lecturer, staff, and student exchange; joint educational and research activities; exchange of study experience and culture; and promotion of the Project Design (PD) educational formalism in addition to related activities.
The Project Design (PD) educational formalism is considered a major strength and brought prestige to KIT. The efficiency of the PD method made the university the second best university in Japan. About 98.7% of KIT students find employment after graduation.
The DTU leadership acknowledged that application of Japanese advanced educational technology using the PD method, graduation standards according to societal needs, and collaboration with the network of Japanese businesses will be built out throughout the the development of the collaboration, in addition to the implementation of new educational methods. The advantage of this Vietnam–Japan educational collaborative program will bring good results to DTU students.
Accordingly, DTU students will be able to do from one to three-month internships at Japanese companies. The Japanese language classes to be opened will allow students to study to N3 (university) or N2 (postgraduate) level. Thanks to the many opportunities to work with Japanese partners and to the dynamic, innovative, and efficient work environment, Vietnamese students will furthermore have the chance to train themselves and acquire team leader management skills.
If students do their best throughout their studies and complete the entire program (studying, training, internship, at work and in skills), the university will guarantee 100% employment (at Japanese companies operative in Japan or in Vietnam) right after graduation. In addition, there is the possibility of overseas studies, to improve one’s understanding of Japanese culture, and to extend collaboration with international partners from the Japanese side.
“DTU has a good network of international education collaborations, especially in the US,” the DTU leadership assessed. “As such, we should rapidly grasp the chance and create additional important education collaborations and technology transfer with Japan with its position in the Asia–Pacific cultural sphere. KIT furthermore has the outstanding advantage of using the PD method, which fits the educational development of several majors which are DTU’s strengths towards applied research.”
Above: DTU Provost Dr Le Nguyen Bao and KIT Provost Satoshi Osawa (right) signing the collaboration agreement at the ceremony
It is a university in the top 10 of most popular universities in Japan, offering training in technology and engineering, with international standard infrastructure, and a member of the International CDIO Association.
KIT Provost Dr Satoshi Osawa further explained that KIT always abides by the principle of education aimed at creating core values. Based on the motto “Students central”, they consider training virtuous people with decent life requirements their main focus.
Second, the school and the classroom should be a place of awakening and nourishing creativity for the students. Only creativity allows being dynamic, to think and do what is useful for the community.
KIT emphasizes team work and collective activities. And the complementary factor, the university and the classroom having a close connection with the business work , is of paramount importance.
This business participation gives students more encouragement, study conditions, and a good training environment, thus stimulating their creativity.
In the framework of the events surrounding the collaboration, DTU also officially signed a cooperation with Konnichiwa-Nihongo (KNC) Kobe Ltd, Japan. Both sides agreed to create an outstanding Japanese language program different from that of other universities and language schools, aimed at DTU students both at university and at postgraduate level. Promoting the study of Japanese integrated into work is seen as an asset. A pilot project of Japanese language training called “Pilot No. 2” at DTU’s VJIET will take place during three months (from March to May 2019) in addition to several related activities.
(Media Center)