Abstract
This study investigates the perceptions of higher education students, recent graduates and employers in Vietnam on the issue of skill development in the higher education system in Vietnam. Enhancing skill development is considered essential for students, not only to pursue their study, but also for their success later, at work and in life. The results suggest that though there is evidence of effort to change, to include and to develop soft skills in the system, the central-controlled curriculum, the traditional teaching method, the prevalence of passiveness among students and cultural features all hinder the effort of developing skills for university students. The limitation in skill development during university is considered one of the biggest barriers preventing university graduates from making a smooth transition to the workplace.
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Notes
In Vietnam, ‘soft skills’ (kỹ năng mềm) is the term most often used to refer to a similar concept.
‘foreign related’ universities refer to the universities using foreign languages as a medium of instruction, i.e. ULIS, FTU and DV.
Each university in Vietnam normally has two departments in charge of creating students extracurricular activities and movements, namely Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (which is often called Youth Union) and Vietnamese Student Association (which often called Student Association).
Provided by some soft skills centres specialising in teaching soft skill courses such as: communication skills, presentation skills, team work and interpersonal skills.
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Tran, T.T. Limitation on the development of skills in higher education in Vietnam. High Educ 65, 631–644 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-012-9567-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-012-9567-7