Overview of the advanced mentoring session at VNUHCM-University of Science – marking the start of Phase 2 of the HCMUS Future Leaders programme.

VNUHCM-University of Science has officially launched an advanced Mentoring Training Programme for academic staff, aiming to build a core team of mentors and prepare for the formal integration of a Leadership course into the university curriculum.

On 10 and 14 June, the first sessions of the Advanced Mentoring Training Programme took place as part of Phase 2 of HCMUS Future Leaders. Designed to enhance mentoring competencies among faculty members, the training serves as a foundation for the forthcoming rollout of the Leadership course.

The training was delivered by Ms. Hồ Thanh Hương – Head of the Alumni Community Executive Board for the 2025–2028 term, former CEO of VinFast Viet Nam and VinFast Europe, and current Global Head of Training at VinFast. Drawing on extensive experience in corporate management and international human resource development, she provided highly practical content and inspired participating faculty members.

The session introduced core mindsets and essential tools in mentoring. A mentor was described not merely as a subject-matter guide, but as a person who identifies potential, supports personal growth, fosters independent thinking, and helps learners achieve specific goals. Mentoring was defined as a developmental partnership between an experienced individual and a developing one – grounded in mutual support rather than authority.

Key content included four main approaches to personal development: training, coaching, mentoring, and consulting. Faculty participants were also introduced to a contemporary mentoring model that combines left-brain and right-brain development, alongside five stages of mentor growth – from initial connection to long-term guidance.

Another major focus was a framework of 56 core skills (DELTAs), categorised into cognitive thinking, self-leadership, digital competence, and social interaction. These skill sets form a crucial foundation for comprehensive learner development and agile adaptation in an era of digital transformation and educational innovation.

The programme not only helped to build mentoring capacity among faculty members but also prepared the ground for two upcoming pilot courses for students in the next academic term. These pilots will serve to test the course content, methodology, and structure, contributing to the full development of the Leadership module prior to official integration into the curriculum at VNUHCM-University of Science.

U-Sci Hub_ Translated by PMN