25/10/2024

SEAMEO CELLL VISITED BA RIA-VUNG TAU COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY (BCTECH)

On October 16, 2024, the Regional Center for Lifelong Learning of SEAMEO in Vietnam (SEAMEO CELLL) made a field trip to Ba Ria-Vung Tau College of Technology (BCTECH). More than 60 delegates from 09 Southeast Asian countries and leaders of a number of domestic and international universities, colleges and high schools joined the delegation.

Vocational education, career counseling and adult education are part of SEAMEO CELLL’s functions. Therefore, the business trip with the theme: “Orientation and development of vocational education and experiential practical activities” at the College took place excitingly and many lessons were learned, experience exchanged for the orientation and development of vocational education for the benefit of not only BCTECH but also other units participating in this business trip.

*Ms. Truong Huynh Nhu – Rector of BCTECH delivered a speech to welcome the delegation*

Ba Ria-Vung Tau College of Technology was formerly known as Ba Ria – Vung Tau Provincial Vocational School, which was established in 1998. The school is invested by the Government and the Provincial People’s Committee to become the leading vocational education institution in the country, training and supplying high-quality human resources for Ba Ria – Vung Tau and neighboring provinces. The College has 02 campuses, one in Dat Do district and the other Vung Tau city, offering many majors such as Electricity, Mechanical Engineering, Information Technology, Accounting… Through the development process, the College has been awarded the Medal, the Emulation Flag of Excellence and many other noble awards by the President and the Government.

*Dr. Le Thi My Ha, Director of SEAMEO CELLL expressed her gratitude to the College for welcoming*
*the SEAMEO CELLL delegation*

The college reported on the development and innovation process to meet the needs of high-quality human resources and regional and international integration. The delegation highly appreciated the College’s efforts; many international experts asked the College to share experience and suggested cooperation in the development of vocational education in the region.

*The delegation listened to the report and discussed*

Dr. Tran Thi Thu Ha, Deputy Director of the Department of Vocational Education Management, Vietnam General Department of Vocational Training shared the situation of vocational education training in Vietnam

The meeting was a great success with lots of discussion and experience sharing, as well as new initiatives for cooperation that can be implemented in the coming time between the parties. As the representative of Indonesia commented: “We wish to implement cooperation between the College and a number of vocational schools in Indonesia”; or representative of Malaysia: “We kindly request the College to share its experiences in connecting with businesses to provide workforce training based on customised orders aligned with new production chains”… Rector Truong Huynh Nhu frankly shared that she saw the limitations of “practical facilities are still slower than the current development of new technology”, thus the need to reduce theoretical class hours, increase practical lesson hours, even at the production workshops of enterprises for students to learn and practice”.

*SEAMEO CELLL delegation presented gifts to the School Board of Directors*

*The School Board of Directors presented gifts to the SEAMEO CELLL members*

In the afternoon, the SEAMEO CELLL delegation paid a visit to The White Palace – a National Cultural and Historical Site (French: Villa Blanche).

*SEAMEO CELLL delegation at The White Palace*

The White Palace is located on Phuoc Thang fortress, built under King Minh Mang. From 1898 to 1902, the French colonialists demolished the fortress and built The White Palace into a resort for the Governor General of Indochina, which was also the place where King Thanh Thai (1907 – 1916) was imprisoned. In 1934, it was ceded to King Bao Dai. On August 4, 1992, The White Palace was recognised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Cultural and Historical Relic.

*In front of the White Palace with feng shui “towards the sea, like a mountain”*

After a day of working in Ba Ria – Vung Tau province, many lessons have been learned in vocational education, career counseling and adult education. The delegation highly appreciated the efforts of Ba Ria – Vung Tau College of Engineering and Technology, and believed that BCTECH is always strong, overcoming all obstacles and giving wings to students to fly high and far in their lifelong careers.

The SEAMEO CELLL delegation also had experiences in The White Palace, enjoying the fresh air of the sea, green paths shaded by trees, stairs imprinted with historical footprints, architecture and rare and typical antiquities. Thereby, the delegation gained more understanding of the history and culture in the land of Ba Ria – Vung Tau.