Students in Ho Chi Minh City Are Weak in Soft Skills
From Flickr User IOHK
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.”
credit: dtsconline.com
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.”
credit: thanhniennews
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)
Brian Luong is the editor-in-chief of Vietnam Talking Points. Brian is currently pursuing a DMD-MBA joint degree program at Harvard School of Dental Medicine and Harvard Business School in Boston, Massachusetts. Extended Bio.
Pingback: Asian Students Do Think for Themselves | Vietnam Talking Points
Pingback: Getting that Job in Vietnam | Vietnam Talking Points