Recognising the importance of strengthening cooperation and connections with businesses to enhance the quality of training for the community, the Faculty of Chemistry at VNUHCM-University of Science organised a seminar entitled “Connection between the Faculty of Chemistry and Enterprises” on 25th June 2022. The programme welcomed representatives from more than 20 production and commercial enterprises, as well as centres and research institutes that have relied on human resources trained by the Faculty of Chemistry.

During the seminar, representatives from the enterprises affirmed that the demand for labour in the fields of Chemistry and Chemical Technology was substantial. They also commended the quality of graduates from the Faculty of Chemistry, highlighting their solid foundational knowledge, exemplary scientific critical thinking, and particularly their honesty and adaptability in the workplace. However, to meet the increasing requirements for the quality of human resources in the era of digital transformation, the enterprises proposed several key issues, including:

– Enhancing foreign language skills for students, as proficiency in foreign languages is essential for success in today’s era of international integration.

– Equipping students with skills to approach and solve problems systematically, by fostering teamwork, critical thinking, and innovation. Students needed to adopt a more active approach to learning and research, moving away from passive learning methods.

– Providing greater knowledge related to international standards, management frameworks, and quality assurance systems.

– Strengthening practical skills related to specialised subjects, ensuring students accessed more professional knowledge and had a comprehensive understanding of both research and practice.

– Extending the duration of internships in practical subjects to give students adequate time to learn and experience real-world business environments.

– Creating opportunities for students to explore careers related to Chemistry through projects and various topics.

– Implementing “Digital Transformation” in teaching methods.

Throughout the programme, the Faculty of Chemistry and the participating enterprises reached agreements on collaboration, including support for organising activities, training courses to supplement students’ practical knowledge, practical internships, recruitment initiatives, and facilitating opportunities for lecturers to engage in research at the enterprises.

The seminar concluded successfully, and the Faculty of Chemistry expressed gratitude to all the enterprises for sharing their experiences and providing specific, practical contributions to the Faculty’s training efforts. These insights are of considerable importance for developing educational programmes that align with practical demands and for creating human resources better suited to the needs of the labour market.