Submitted by guest blogger: Kha Huynh, a freshman at Foreign Trade University in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and translated by Hang Nguyen and Neil Nguyen.
A Survey of 234 recruiters and 3,364 graduates from 20 universities, published in the research “Solutions for Enhancing Higher Education Quality” by Ho Chi Minh University of Pedagogy, uncovered that both graduates and recruiters shared a common view: 50% of graduates have to be retrained. The main reason is professional skills do not meet the standards of recruiters. 36.3% of recruiters responded that students must be retrained in all-around skills, 28.3% in specialized skills, and 33.6% in both skills and professional knowledge.
Mr. Nguyen Huu Thiet, Human Resource Manager of Friesland Food Dutch Lady Vietnam revealed, “After years of experience in human resource management, I can clearly see that the majority of students domestically qualified are weak in communication skills. In my opinion, the pusillanimity and passivity is partly formed from early age at schools.”
Students are weak at presentation skills, verbal skills, interpersonal skills, teamwork, the ability to apply knowledge to practical situations, and professionalism.
By the Numbers
A recent survey by the Ministry of Labors, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) showed that about 13% graduates must be retrained or supplemented more skills, 40% graduates must be closely supervised at work and more than 41% graduates need more probation time before they can actually perform their job.
Students from universities in HCMC, when surveyed, also expressed that they only have 25% of required skills. 54% self-assessed that they can work in a group setting, and 45% said they have communication skills. The proportion of students who acquired other skills is very low, mostly under 30%. Only 8.4% students said that they possess good interview skills.
Passiveness in School
The main reason is their passive study and learning habits. “One of the explanations for dictating-writing in lecture halls nowadays is from teachers. However, passive study habits by students also contributes to the situation.” (www.vietbao.vn)
According to junior lecturer Tran Thanh Hiep from Training and Improving Skills Center for People in the Healthcare Sector of HCMC, one of the most notable signs is that students do not search for further readings and materials during their study.
A student from the Vietnam National University in HCMC writes in the Thanh Nien Newspaper, “If you are reluctant to raise opinions in the class, you will be reluctant to speak up in the workplace later on. The reluctance to express your opinions also means you do not dare to say the truth and acknowledge your fault.”
Systematic Issues
From elementary school, students are taught not to disobey teachers instruction. Even in the academic competitions, as long as they memorize the solutions from their teachers, they can win. These behaviors form bad habits that limit the creativity and problem-solving skills of students.
In high school, students rely on after-school classes rather than on self studying other useful material.
Even at the university level, where self-study skills and independent thinking are required, students still maintain their passive habits. Coupled with passive teaching methods (dictating–writing), students find it difficult to learn new knowledge and express creativity.
Cultural Issues
Vietnamese people are taught not to disobey adults from a young age. It is a signal that you are not allowed to express your opinions in front of elders or authorities. This collective behavior is rooted deeply in Vietnamese culture and harms the development of soft skills by students. Restrained by tradition, creativity is hampered along will communication skills, negotiations skills and critical thinking. Ironically, this culture of yielding in teams ultimately leads to poor teamwork.
(Source: Laborers Newspapers, chungta.com, Tien Phong Newspapers)
sad but true 🙁
It is what it is !!!!
Just an idea: what you you guys think if there was a program that organizes weekly Skype calls between expats and Vietnamese students to practice English and work on soft skills?
Someone from Intel might be able to provide a specific case related to this article and their attempts at working towards a solution. I will (once again) see if I can’t get my wife (an Intel employee) to give an update. Several years ago, Intel committed to building a production facility in HCMC. When we were there in 2008, they were just breaking ground on a new building and hiring was in progress. Hang was asked to speak to students at a local university on women in engineering, a topic which she, of course, was more than happy to deal with.Intel had concluded that the workforce was lacking in some skills they felt were necessary. Some of those were possibly similar to what this article points out while technical-skills were also a factor. In order to make up the short comings, Intel consulted with several US universities on proposals to set up satellite campuses in HCMC, and also set up work rotations in HCMC for US employees in order to get one-on-one training going. That was two years ago and I understand that a selection was made as to which university got the OK to proceed, the building is complete, the work rotations are in progress, and things are proceeding well. But again, I’m hearing this 2nd hand so I’d better leave specifics of the current status to my wife or others. Oh, and one last thing not related to the above. I understand the point of the last paragraph, but as a parent, I don’t think it’s a bad thing that children are taught not to disobey adults. Disobedience and expressing opinions are two different things. Obedience at the expense of openness is a bad thing, but so is openness without obedience.
Someone from Intel might be able to provide a specific case related to this article and their attempts at working towards a solution. I will (once again) see if I can’t get my wife (an Intel employee) to give an update. Several years ago, Intel committed to building a production facility in HCMC. When we were there in 2008, they were just breaking ground on a new building and hiring was in progress. Hang was asked to speak to students at a local university on women in engineering, a topic which she, of course, was more than happy to deal with.Intel had concluded that the workforce was lacking in some skills they felt were necessary. Some of those were possibly similar to what this article points out while technical-skills were also a factor. In order to make up the short comings, Intel consulted with several US universities on proposals to set up satellite campuses in HCMC, and also set up work rotations in HCMC for US employees in order to get one-on-one training going. That was two years ago and I understand that a selection was made as to which university got the OK to proceed, the building is complete, the work rotations are in progress, and things are proceeding well. But again, I’m hearing this 2nd hand so I’d better leave specifics of the current status to my wife or others. Oh, and one last thing not related to the above. I understand the point of the last paragraph, but as a parent, I don’t think it’s a bad thing that children are taught not to disobey adults. Disobedience and expressing opinions are two different things. Obedience at the expense of openness is a bad thing, but so is openness without obedience.
This article is really true.
Could i post it to my profile as well?
thao… we hope that you can inform others about this by posting it to your profile. share! please
As someone who specialises in the development and enhancement of soft skills I found this article interesting. What can be done? You seem to be suggesting that there is a real need for the student's soft skills to be developed, yet there is a cultural barrier to that happening. Are educational institutions and universities conducting learning programs to facilitate the development of soft skills. I would very much like to maintain a conversation with people on this subject.
Maree, any plans for training centers in Vietnam?
Hi Marree,
There are many programs by educational institutions and universities on soft skills in Vietnam, for example Tam Viet (http://www.tamviet.edu.vn/Desktop.aspx/English/).
There are also many useful information about careers development and related topics on career sections of many sites that vietnamworks is one example (http://advice.vietnamworks.com/).
The problems are in education system but also in students themselves. They should actively identify which skills they should improve. Learning and acquiring knowledge are just not in schools and universities.
Hi Hang,
The issue you raise about students being able to identify which skills they need to develop is a very relevant one. Here in Australia I am working with organisations to get them to include this as part of employee performance appraisals – that they identify not only the technical skills that they need to develop, but also the soft skills. Both organisations and individuals tend not to be as willing to give time to the learning and development of soft skills as they are to technical skills. My sense is that because they can't measure the return on their investment in tangible ways they are not prepared to make the investment.
Maree
skype sounds like fun and a great way to exchange ideas/perspectives!
A while ago, we also pointed out that some private elementary schools in Saigon/HCMC are employing a more social teaching method (http://talk.onevietnam.org/vietnamese-schools-t…). Although it's a start, I think there is a huge need for soft skills training in Vietnam.
A friend of mine, who's a high school math teacher, agrees that education reform in Vietnam must take place from K-12.
Also check out last week's article: http://talk.onevietnam.org/uneven-progress-at-v…
I think many Vietnamese students who study abroad tend to acquire these skills. However, it seems that not many of them intend to return to the country. Recently, the government is starting to require the students to return to their home after 3 years of graduating, and the students are upset about this. There is indeed a strong needs for the development in this area.
Is it possible to obtain a copy of the study cited in this article? We can get a better understanding and any planned or active programs addressing the issue.
great article. thank you for sharing.
A problem-yes, but the outlook is bright. VN is still seen as steadily improving. Most critics point to post secondary education unfortunately. The immediate burden is where it should be, on employers. Who are in turn seeking efficient remedies. We require a 12 week 'boot camp' for instance, and work closely with PS Institutions to improve overall quality and marketability of graduates.
Thank you for the article. Is this research paper that you refer to public? Can you please post a link to where we can read the research paper? I’m currently doing a case study on the University of Hawaii’s Executive MBA program here, and I’m looking for background information on the subject. The UH program has a good reputation for preparing students for exactly the skills and abilities which are referred to above. Perhaps this case study can serve as an example.
It had been over a year. Would be interesting to know updates / progress from when this article was posted. Any development to improve the issues mentioned?
Great! I really like this research. I am conducting a research about soft skills. could you please send me a copy of the study cited in this article?
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