British Council accompanies young Vietnamese generation towards sustainable development

The skills gap of young Vietnamese through the eyes of a global citizen

"A big vision will be the compass that takes you far", that is what Dinh Thuy Phuong realized from the first days of setting foot in the University of Northampton, UK. This place helped Thuy Phuong learn how to think systematically, the habit of asking the question "What to do next?".

She said that this is a seemingly simple long-term thinking method, but it is not common in the career approach of many young people.

Dinh Thuy Phuong - Champion of Alumni Awards 2021-22 (Business and Innovation category).

During the process of starting a business and working with many young graduates, Dinh Thuy Phuong realized that despite being well-trained, many Vietnamese students still lack essential skills to adapt and create value in the real working environment.

Most young people today have solid expertise and high enthusiasm, but lack the ability to see the big picture, coordination and connection skills. "Each member of a company is like a gear in a machine - if they don't fit together, no matter how good each individual is, the machine cannot operate effectively," Phuong said.

She asserts that the labor market is increasingly demanding: "You need good foreign languages ​​to connect, practical experience to adapt, and a spirit of continuous learning to keep up with change. Therefore, universityeducation cannot stop at imparting professional knowledge, but must be a place to sow the seeds of social awareness, responsibility and the ability to act."

Filling the skills gap of the young generation from the classroom

Looking back a decade ago, Thuy Phuong clearly remembers the gap in qualifications and skills between international students and domestic students. But in recent years, she has seen a dramatic change within Vietnamese universities. Many students have become confident in communicating in English, have critical thinking skills, and are able to work effectively in a global environment.

According to Phuong, this is a positive signal and reflects the continuous efforts in improving the quality of education - including the connecting role of international organizations such as the British Council. Cooperation programs between the British Council, the Ministry of Education and Training and the UK's QAA quality assurance organization help improve training programs, teaching standards and output standards according to international standard frameworks such as ESG.

British - Vietnamese experts discuss quality assurance in higher education.

In parallel, the British Council also focuses on supporting the development of joint training programs between Vietnam and the UK - creating a bridge between local knowledge and international experience. Thanks to that, Vietnamese students have more opportunities to access global education and equip themselves with skills suitable for the practical needs of the labor market.

Skills - Connections - Platforms: "Leverage" for a generation of action.

As an entrepreneur in the field of social impact businesses, Phuong is even more confident: evoking a proactive spirit, inspiring and creating space for young people to develop is an important preparation step to help businesses develop and create value for the community.

To do this, we need to fill two gaps in soft skills and community connections - these are also issues that the British Council is focusing on. Through programs such as Climate Skills or Building Youth Resilience to the Impacts of Climate Change, the young generation of Vietnam has access to the necessary tools to solve the big problems of our time such as climate change and sustainable community development.

Youth with Climate Skills program.

The British Council also creates a UK Alumni network - where young people like Phuong become the torchbearers, leading the way for the next generation. The connection between individuals, communities and international knowledge becomes the foundation for sustainable change to spread.

UK alumni delegates at East Asia Education Week 2025.

The milestone of opening a new office in Hanoi in February demonstrates the British Council’s commitment to continuing its 32-year journey as an organisation that has been involved in the growth journey of many generations.

"The British Council believes that empowering young people with the right skills, connections and a global perspective is essential to building a sustainable future. Through initiatives such as the Youth Engagement Programme and partnerships with universities and local communities, we are proud to support the next generation in Vietnam with the skills and knowledge needed to tackle current challenges and create a lasting positive impact for Vietnam," said James Shipton, Country Director of the British Council in Vietnam.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/hoi-dong-anh-dong-hanh-cung-the-he-tre-viet-huong-toi-phat-trien-ben-vung-20250517125014281.htm