The integrated training model, combining subjects learned at school with on-the-job training at the newspaper, is opening up a groundbreaking path, bridging the vast gap between theory and the harsh realities of journalism.
In the context of rapidly changing media technology, artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how news is produced, posing unprecedented challenges to the training of personnel in journalism and media. The traditional "teaching and learning" approach is no longer viable; collaborations between universities and reputable media organizations like Thanh Nien Newspaper and Tuoi Tre Newspaper are creating a new wave, providing students with hands-on experience that no textbook can fully convey.
UMT students gain practical experience by attending events and reporting on them.
Photo: Ngoc Mai
No more "going through the motions"
Previously, student visits to news agencies were usually limited to visits or short-term internships in their final year. However, over the past two years, the Thanh Nien Newspaper's collaborative training program with universities such as the University of Management and Technology of Ho Chi Minh City (UMT), Van Lang University, the University of Economics and Finance of Ho Chi Minh City (UEF), Hoa Sen University, etc., has officially moved classes to the newsroom.
Photo: Ngoc Mai
No longer just superficial visits, students now bring their laptops and cameras to the editorial office to participate in core courses lasting 2-3 months. The Thanh Nien Newspaper editorial office has become their second classroom, with courses such as Editing Skills, News and Feature Production, News Evaluation, and Photography.
Here, students don't just listen to lectures. Under the direct guidance of experienced journalists, over 30 students majoring in Multimedia Communication at UMT, participating in the News Verification course, faced challenging exercises: analyzing information matrices on social media, identifying fake news and other forms of information disruption, and practicing the rigorous information verification process of a major newspaper. The result of this hands-on experience was tangible product, with some student articles even meeting the standards for publication in Thanh Nien Newspaper.
Photo: Ngoc Mai
Not only at UMT, but also at Van Lang University, Public Relations students spent months immersed in journalism with three practical courses: News Assessment, News Writing and Editing, and Interviewing. This shift in learning location is not simply a change of space, but a complete shift in mindset towards the profession. Students are immersed in the flow of news, feeling the pressure of deadlines and the stringent demands for accuracy – things that are a hallmark of journalism.
Students participate in core course modules lasting 2-3 months during the training program at Thanh Nien Newspaper.
Photo: TUYET LAN
The difference in real combat.
The biggest difference between studying at Thanh Nien Newspaper and a traditional university environment lies in two key aspects: instructors who are currently working professionals and a real-world journalistic environment. Thanh Nien has addressed this by employing trained journalists with in-depth expertise and strong communication skills to directly teach classes, even requiring a master's degree or higher. At Thanh Nien , there are experienced editorial secretaries, department heads, editors, and reporters who have received journalism and media training both domestically and internationally. At the newsroom, the instructors don't teach students with outdated information, but rather with real-world situations they've just dealt with, and with media incidents that occurred the night before.
Some photos from the training course at Thanh Nien Newspaper.
Photo: Ngoc Mai
While mentoring UEF students, we noticed a significant change in them after only a short time. Many students were willing to stay late after class to film, edit lessons, and proactively explore new topics. The interaction between "senior" and "junior" students blurred the teacher-student divide, becoming a passionate and dedicated mentorship.
Photo: Ngoc Mai
Proof of this is that after just a few intensive training sessions on news and reportage production, students at Hoa Sen University were able to create complete, high-quality products in both content and form. Many students who previously didn't know how to write became confident writers and expressed their desire to become contributors to the newspaper. Students at Van Lang University, while studying Photography, had access to the newspaper's professional studio and filming equipment. As a result, their photo sets published in Thanh Nien Newspaper received even higher views than those of official reporters, and their final project videos were indistinguishable from real journalistic products, surprising even the university's lecturers.
Strategic handshake
The collaboration between Thanh Nien Newspaper and universities is not just a temporary solution, but a long-term strategy aimed at improving the quality of graduates in the field of media and journalism. Journalist Nguyen Ngoc Toan, Editor-in-Chief of Thanh Nien Newspaper, emphasized: "This is a significant event, marking a step forward in the effective cooperation between schools and businesses, between theory and practice, between the classroom and the professional journalistic environment." Thanh Nien Newspaper believes that its newsroom is not only a place for producing news but also carries a social responsibility in nurturing young talents. Opening its doors to students demonstrates the newspaper's open vision and commitment to supporting education .
Students interact with guests at a talk show in the studio of Thanh Nien Newspaper.
Photo: Ngoc Mai
Dr. Tran Luu Cuong, Vice Chairman of the UMT School Board, believes that sending students to study at Thanh Nien Newspaper is the best way to bridge the gap between theory and practice. "Evaluating news to distinguish between true and false information is extremely important in the current context. Students must seize this opportunity, proactively learn, and create valuable connections for the future," Dr. Cuong advised the students.
Attending a graduation ceremony at Thanh Nien Newspaper, Dr. Vo Van Tuan, Vice Rector of Van Lang University, expressed: "The participation of veteran journalists with their practical knowledge not only gives students a realistic view of the profession, but also inspires passion, responsibility, and professional ethics in each lesson and each practical exercise." "This shows that the cooperation model between universities that train journalism and communication majors and media organizations is creating real value," Dr. Tuan shared. He also assessed that universities cooperating with media organizations helps lecturers access industry practices to update teaching content, contributing to improving the quality of graduates.
Opening and closing ceremonies. - Course opening ceremony at Thanh Nien Newspaper.
Photo: Ngoc Duong
Through collaborative programs, universities specializing in media and journalism have added new courses, improved their curricula, and redefined the concept of practice to better adapt to changing real-world conditions.
Closing ceremony of the course at Thanh Nien Newspaper
Photo: Ngoc Duong
Students directly participate in outdoor reporting.
Photo: Ngoc Duong
NUMEROUS INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE DELEGATIONS AND ACADEMIC EXCHANGES
Over the past period, Thanh Nien Newspaper has regularly welcomed international delegations for academic exchange and sharing of experiences in media and journalism. In December 2024, a delegation of 50 professors and students from 12 universities in 7 Asian countries and territories visited Thanh Nien Newspaper to exchange ideas on identifying and handling fake news, as well as verifying information, within the framework of an international academic exchange program organized by the Faculty of Public Relations - Communication at Van Lang University and the Asian Network of News and Information Educators (ANNIE). Recently, a delegation of professors and researchers from the Communication University of China visited and worked at Thanh Nien Newspaper. Many issues related to digital transformation in journalism, the application of artificial intelligence in content production; international cooperation in the field of media as well as media training activities with universities were discussed.
Photo: Ngoc Duong
A delegation of professors and graduate students from the Communication University of China visited Thanh Nien Newspaper.
Photo: Ngoc Duong
An impressive and transformative journey.
If I had to recount one journey that impressed and changed me this school year, it would probably be the more than two months I spent studying News Credibility at Thanh Nien Newspaper. From the very first lesson, the main lecturer changed my perspective on the nature of news. She talked about the responsibility of those working in media and the importance of respecting the truth.
We learned how to analyze information, identify fake news, and verify data – skills that many people thought were only for professional journalists, but it turns out that everyone, especially young people working in media, needs them. I was also truly amazed by the rapid development of AI when I saw examples of deepfakes, AI-generated images, and news that were so sophisticatedly edited that it was difficult for the average user to recognize. The lecturers at the newspaper not only analyzed the theory but also guided us step-by-step on how to "spot errors" in online information.
The days of practical training at the newsroom were even more memorable as I was guided on adjusting every detail of the lighting, layout, and even the subtle echoes in the microphone, and how to use the editing software… only then did I understand that a complete news report is the effort of an entire team. In the studio, the lights were bright, the camera pointed directly at me, and my heart was pounding like a drum. I managed to say a few sentences, then… forgot them. The MC looked at me and smiled, saying, “Just think of it as telling a story to a friend. The news has to be true, but the way you speak has to be natural.” Thanks to that comment, I calmed down, took a deep breath, and performed much better.
Le Mai Gia Phuc (student at Ho Chi Minh City University of Management and Technology - UMT)
An unexpected experience
The fact that Hoa Sen University collaborated with Thanh Nien Newspaper to allow us to learn directly at the newsroom for three months was something I never expected, and it was a very valuable experience. Before the course, I only understood journalism through theory, sometimes quite vaguely. When writing articles, I mainly wrote based on intuition, so it was often incoherent. But thanks to the journalists' clear, easy-to-understand lectures, which were closely related to reality, I began to understand how each part of a feature article should be structured, how to find a topic, how to tell a story, how to gather information, and how to write. As a result, my writing became more logical, more purposeful, and I knew how to choose important details to lead the story. Knowledge that I once thought was difficult became more accessible and easier to absorb during the course.
The lecturer, a journalist, was unexpectedly engaging, creating a relaxed atmosphere for us to exchange ideas. The class was always fun and dynamic, never dry or heavy. The reporters, MCs, and cameramen at the newsroom provided dedicated support, sharing their real-world experiences – things that textbooks couldn't teach. Thanks to them, we felt like we were truly "doing the job." The field trip, filming, presenting, and editing our own videos, was the experience I remember most.
Le Tran Anh Thu (student at Hoa Sen University)
I wish to study in more depth.
My experience studying at Thanh Nien Newspaper was a valuable opportunity to connect academic knowledge with professional journalistic practice. In the News Verification course, we were well-equipped with tools and techniques for identifying fake news through practical exercises and building our own news reports. We also hope to gain a better understanding of the publishing decision-making process, censorship regulations, and ethical principles that the newsroom adheres to.
For the Photography course, students had the opportunity to practice journalistic style, visit studios, and see real-world works by instructors, as well as learn more about photography styles in the studio. We also hope to learn more in-depth, such as analyzing context, behind-the-scenes, and how photographs are used by Thanh Nien Newspaper to tell stories in a high-pressure real-world environment.
Tran Huynh Gia Phuong (student at Van Lang University)
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dao-tao-thuc-chien-tai-toa-soan-thanh-nien-185251229170949611.htm
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