Updating the training program: Bringing students into the technology 'race'

GD&TĐ - With a 2-year cycle of having to update training programs, higher education institutions are facing many challenges with changes in technology and the market.

Restructuring the training program

Duy Tan University has just restructured its entire training program to teach and train mandatory artificial intelligence (AI) skills and entrepreneurship knowledge for all students from the 2025 enrollment period. In particular, the school focuses on 3 groups of skills, including Digital Skills and AI Thinking Skills; Soft Skills and Innovative Startups; Professional Ethics and AI Ethics Training.

Mr. Nguyen Gia Nhu - Principal of the School of Engineering Technology, Duy Tan University said: For students who are not majoring in information technology, there will be at least 3 compulsory credits related to AI and from 1 to a maximum of 3 specialized AI credits suitable for their training major. In the first year, students learn basic and applied AI to know how to use AI in learning, research as well as ethics when using AI. Next, the school provides specialized AI content. For example, students majoring in economics and management use AI to analyze the market, forecast trends and automate reports, automated digital marketing, etc.

That means students will use AI to handle specialized tasks. But it is not until the 3rd or 4th year, when the basic knowledge of the major is solid, that students will begin to learn about specialized AI applications. For students enrolled before 2025, Duy Tan University will gradually supplement training content to ensure that students are fully equipped when entering the future labor market.

The University of Science and Technology, University of Danang also organized a training course on AI application in learning and skill development for students. Mr. Trinh Cong Duy - lecturer of the Faculty of Information Technology shared: "AI not only helps students learn faster, but also develops soft skills such as creativity, critical thinking and problem solving - key factors for future success".

After the training session, Vu Hoang Quan (4th year student, Faculty of Hydraulic Construction) was given a new perspective on how AI can accompany him in his journey of learning and personal development. Not only did he learn how to use AI to optimize his review, Quan also realized that today's AI tools can become a "virtual mentor" to help him practice presentation skills, critical thinking, and time management more effectively.

“This is truly a rewarding and inspiring experience, especially for students like me who are preparing to enter the job market,” Quan shared.

New technology practice equipment of the University of Science and Technology, Danang University supported by enterprises. Photo: NTCC

Professional skills go hand in hand with digital skills

Mr. Thai Kim Phung - Vice Principal of the School of Technology and Design, Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics said that the labor market is changing rapidly under the impact of technology, as recruitment needs shift from medium to high skills, especially complex analytical and management capabilities.

However, training institutions have not kept up with this trend. Equipping learners with complementary skills that are suitable for new technological requirements is still slow. While the training program update cycle takes place on a two-year schedule, technology and the job market change almost every day. The job structure is also constantly changing, requiring education and training to be flexible and updated promptly to avoid falling behind in the technology race.

Sharing the same view, Mr. Nguyen Gia Nhu commented that universities are facing many major challenges in the face of AI development. “The market requires skills in AI, machine learning, big data and automation, causing graduates to often lack practical skills to work with new technologies applied by businesses. AI is automating traditional tasks such as data entry, basic data analysis, even design and programming. If students are not equipped with new skills, it will be difficult to compete with machines and colleagues with higher qualifications,” analyzed the Principal of the School of Engineering Technology, Duy Tan University.

To cope with the impact of AI, according to Mr. Nguyen Gia Nhu, universities need to deploy many synchronous solutions. First of all, the training program is updated to include courses on machine learning, natural language processing (NLP), computer vision and data science in the curriculum, while integrating multidisciplinary skills such as combining technology with economics, medicine, education, etc. so that students can understand and apply AI in practice.

Another way to support universities in updating technology is to strengthen cooperation with businesses so that students can intern in real AI projects, invite experts from businesses to teach; organize seminars or guide final projects, helping students not only learn theory but also grasp practical needs, reducing the risk of unemployment.

The cooperative relationship with prestigious international corporations such as Samsung, Alibaba, LG, Microsoft, Fore... over the years has facilitated Duy Tan University to increase its technological capacity in AI training and coaching. Typically, since 2023, Samsung has transferred 2 labs and 3 courses on AI, IoT, and Big Data through the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) project, or Alibaba Cloud Intelligence has granted academic access on Alibaba's cloud platform (AAEP) to Duy Tan University in 2024.

Mr. Nguyen Hong Hai - Vice Principal of University of Science and Technology, University of Danang said that with the development of AI in recent years, lecturers need to master and apply AI to improve teaching quality, optimize work and accompany students in the digital age. Therefore, lecturers must be trained and improve their capacity to apply AI in professional work, teaching, building and effectively exploiting digital learning resources.

“It is necessary to soon build a technology ecosystem in universities through investing in AI laboratories and supporting startup incubators so that students can turn their ideas into startups, creating jobs for themselves and their friends.

This technology ecosystem must create an environment that encourages creativity, practice, and entrepreneurship, helping students not only adapt but also lead future technology trends," said Mr. Nguyen Gia Nhu - Principal of the School of Engineering Technology, Duy Tan University.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/cap-nhat-chuong-trinh-dao-tao-dua-sinh-vien-vao-cuoc-dua-cong-nghe-post739105.html