From May 28-30, 2024, at the invitation of Deakin University, Mr. Tran Nam, Head of Office of Student Affairs and Deputy Director of the Center for International Education (CIE), visited Deakin University to meet transfer students and attend meetings regarding student affairs.
On the afternoon of May 28, Mr. Tran Nam listened to the sharing of students Doan Mai Khanh and Tran Thi Phuong Yen about the activities of the Vietnamese Students’ Association at Deakin University, such as: connecting and organizing meetings between Vietnamese students to help them integrate into their new learning environment, creating a network for students to share information about housing, part-time jobs, cultural activities, etc.
Students shared about the activities of the Vietnamese Students’ Association at Deakin University
On May 29 at Burwood Campus, Professor Simon Tormey, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Education, and officials managing the joint programs with the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH) welcomed and informed Mr. Tran Nam of the recent progress in academic and life of students from USSH. The faculty representative noted that students from USSH were always regarded as those with outstanding academic achievements, good adaptive skills and social practices. This was due to the results of the 2-year foundation knowledge training at USSH, as well as the opportunity to integrate and explore Vietnamese indigenous culture, all of which helped grow students' social skills significantly. However, academic English skills were among the things that needed improvement for students from most Asian countries, and Vietnamese students were no exception.
The Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Education highly appreciated the development of the joint programs with USSH
When sharing his views on the visit, Mr. Tran Nam said he had lots of memories and deep feelings about the development of Deakin University compared to his first visit in 2019. He also said the number of students enrolled in the program was at its highest ever, and CIE wanted to visit transfer students to directly meet and receive feedback on the operation of the program. At the meeting, Mr. Tran Nam proposed new points in the collaboration of the two universities, including: (1) Opening a new Multimedia Communications program; (2) Offering specific solutions to support students in Vietnam with some online English classes taught by Deakin lecturers; (3) Co-teaching certain courses in the first 2 years at USSH; (4) Sending students to companies for internship in both Australia and Vietnam; (5) The Faculty of Arts and Education will work with the Faculty of International Relations and the Faculty of Journalism - Communications to discuss collaboration opportunities in scientific research and teaching.
On this occasion, Mr. Tran Nam also invited Professor Simon Tormey and the delegation from Deakin University to attend the Opening Ceremony of the 2024-2025 school year at CIE.
Professor Simon Tormey said that the faculty highly appreciated the proposals and would discuss them internally so that their trip to USSH in September 2024 could settle on the contents of collaboration.
On the same day, at the lunch meeting with student representatives from the Bachelor of Arts majoring in International Relations and Bachelor of Communication majoring in Journalism programs, Mr. Tran Nam asked about the students’ progress in social integration, study, part-time jobs, etc. in Melbourne. The students also gave their opinions on how to improve the program, consult and support learners, assist students with the transition procedures, etc. to help the program continue to advance in the future.
Transfer students shared their opinions about the joint programs
Later on May 29 and 30, Mr. Tran Nam met with the Student Central and the international student support team to discuss the Peer Mentoring program, Work Integrated Learning program, and the DeakinSync space – Digital solutions program. He also met with the management board and learned about Deakin’s on-campus accommodation.
Mr. Tran Nam visited the classroom of Communications students
Professors of the Faculty of Arts and Education shared about students' internship solutions
Deakin’s on-campus accommodation were highly rated for their comfort, safety, and community activities
According to Mr. Tran Nam, the visit was a valuable opportunity to meet and listen to students’ useful and sincere sharing about the joint program, learn about the student activities at Deakin, as well as evaluate the 2+2 joint program in International Relations and Journalism for program improvement and future solutions.
Nam Phong
Translation by Khanh Dung
