Soft skills - the "key" to integration.

In the context of increasingly deep international integration, besides professional knowledge, soft skills are one of the important factors that help young people adapt to the rapidly changing labor market. Even while still in school, young people need to equip themselves with essential soft skills to meet the requirements of employers and increase their competitiveness in a multinational work environment.

An activity to exchange and learn about Japanese culture organized by the Japanese Language Club, part of the Student Union of Can Tho University of Technology. Photo: Contributor

This past summer, the Youth Union of the Faculty of Information Technology and Communications, Can Tho University, organized the "Digital Summer" program, attracting over 1,200 students. The program included a variety of activities: participating in local "Digital Literacy Teams" to support people in digital transformation; training in safe social media use, cyberattack prevention and identification of fake news online; and various activities caring for disadvantaged children both within and outside the city.

Students with expertise in information technology are contributing to a new momentum in the volunteer movement. A prime example is Ly Minh Anh, a student majoring in Computer Networks and Data Communication. During the two summer months, Minh Anh participated in the "Digital Literacy Team" of the Ninh Kieu Ward Youth Union, assisting residents in installing digital transformation applications, providing advice and guidance on using online public services, and coordinating training courses on cyberattack prevention and identifying fake news online for students.

Minh Anh shared: “Participating in these activities is an opportunity for me to apply the knowledge I've learned to practice and improve my professional skills. At the same time, it helps me understand more about the workings of the state administrative apparatus.” Le Trung Hieu, Secretary of the Ninh Kieu Ward Youth Union, believes that participating in volunteer activities provides students with many valuable experiences and helps them develop soft skills, enhancing their competitiveness in a multinational work environment.

At Can Tho University of Technology, the Student Union has established numerous academic and interest-based clubs, providing opportunities for students to develop soft skills. Notable examples include clubs for Japanese language, English, informatics, applied engineering, the "5 Good Students" program, and clubs in the fields of culture, arts, and sports .

Pham Vu Luan, a student majoring in Control and Automation Engineering Technology and Head of the Japanese Club at Can Tho University of Technology, said: "The club was established in 2022 and has attracted more than 150 members to date. Every month, the club holds activities to exchange methods for learning Japanese and exploring Japanese culture. This provides a foundation for students to research and understand the beauty of Japanese culture, preparing them for studying abroad and finding jobs in Japanese companies." The university's Youth Union collaborates with other units to organize many cultural exchange activities with international students; shares information about international integration with its members and students on the university's Youth Union and Student Association fanpages; disseminates knowledge about the ASEAN Community; and provides students with information on current events both domestically and internationally.

In supporting students' integration into the global community, the Youth Union of Tay Do University has directed its affiliated units to consolidate and establish 9 new English clubs at the faculty level and 5 academic clubs. These provide a platform for students to hone their skills, learn, and accumulate knowledge, preparing them for the future. The Youth Union regularly sends students to participate in exchange programs, sharing experiences in learning, scientific research, and creative entrepreneurship. Many programs are organized annually to help students improve their soft skills: "Career Counseling Day," "Potential Intern Recruitment Day," "Student Job Fair," etc., attracting thousands of students.

From 2022 to the present, the Youth Union of Tay Do University has coordinated the organization of 2 specialized academic competitions, 20 conferences for outstanding students at all levels, and 25 thematic sessions on subjects, majors, and scientific research orientation, attracting more than 2,500 students. Cultural and artistic activities are organized on the occasion of major national holidays, contributing to the education of national historical traditions for students.

The city's youth are intensifying their efforts to organize exchange activities with international students through various forms, both in-person and online; the "Five Good Students" forum (good ethics, good academics, good volunteering, good physical fitness, and good integration), the "Students Connecting with Businesses" journey, and numerous short-term training courses on professional skills. Through these activities, students accumulate knowledge and soft skills – the "key" to unlocking future career opportunities.

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Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/ky-nang-mem-chia-khoa-hoi-nhap-a190676.html