UEH launches Department of Student Affairs - A pioneer in the system of public higher education institutions in Vietnam

Centering on learners as the focus to care and serve, on the morning of January 12, 2021, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) held a Conference on Student Affairs at Campus B. UEH's newly-born Department of Student Affairs is one of the first models of the public higher education institutions system in Vietnam that provides student-centric services.

The conference aims to summarize and assess the care and support activities for learners at UEH over the past time, learn about learners' needs for new activities, develop cooperative partnerships with businesses in related activities, especially as the launch of the Department of Student Affairs (DSA) - Functional unit that is well trained in their specialty, attitude, skills, and protocol to increase student satisfaction.

Based on researching and analyzing the care and support for learners at domestic and foreign universities, acquiring strengths from the management model of organizations and enterprises operating outside the education sector, UEH has decided to establish a new management unit - DSA, which functions as a focal point for providing and updating official information from the university to support learners and related partnership groups. Accordingly, caring for, supporting, and ensuring the best conditions for learners' learning, activities and research is the top priority task, along with orientation and education in the spirit of respecting Teachers, officials and employees, understand and follow the Universities' Culture.

The school leaders and teachers cut the ribbon to inaugurate the Department of Student Affairs to students

An introduction to functions of Department of Student Affairs

Attending the event, on the side of the guest business leaders, there were Ms. Tran Thi Hoang Yen - Head of Human Resources in charge of Branding Development Employer of Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam Beverage Co., Ltd., Mr. Cao Van Duong - Head of Recruitment Department of Deloitte Vietnam Company Limited; Mr. Huynh Dao Vinh Chau - Head of Recruitment Department of L’Oréal Vietnam Co., Ltd; Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Quyen - Deputy Head of Human Resources Department of Chailease International Company Limited; Mr. Nguyen Tuong Quang - Head of Recruitment Department of Asia Commercial Bank (ACB), Mr. Tran Vinh Phuc - DiPrincipal of HCM Area, Mr. Vo Minh Vuong - DiPrincipal of Pham Ngoc Thach Branch, Orient Commercial Joint Stock Bank (OCB), Mr. Nguyen Viet Trung - Deputy HR DiPrincipal of Saigon Thuong Tin Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Sacombank), Mr. Nguyen Trieu Thong - HR DiPrincipal of CT Group Group and representatives of enterprises C.P, AEON, HD Bank, VP bank. On the UEH side, there was Prof.Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong - Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairman of the University Council; Prof.Dr. Su Dinh Thanh - Principal; Prof.Dr. Nguyen Trong Hoai - Vice Principal; Dr. Bui Quang Hung - Vice Principal; Assoc.Prof.Dr. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet - Chairman of Advisory Council; Dr. Tran The Hoang, Permanent Vice President of UEH-Alumni; Dr. Bui Quang Viet - President of the College Trade Union with leaders of the school units, reporters from information and media agencies and nearly 500 learners are representing students of all levels and training systems of the school.

The conference provided participants with a variety of quality contents from taking pictures to check-in gifts to reports on research results on student care and support activities at UEH; a Ceremony for the launch of the Department of Student Affairs and sharing topics from famous experts on topics of interest to learners.

On delivering the opening remarks, Prof.Dr. Su Dinh Thanh - UEH Principal shared: The Department of Student Affairs at UEH was officially established based on merging the Political Affairs Department, the Student Support Center (Student Support Department), and some related jobs of the Student Affairs department of the Department of Training Management - Student Affairs. Derived from the context and trends of the technological revolution that has been and continues to make profound changes in higher education, universities are a provider of knowledge and an inspiration for learners about learning attitudes, self-study ability, and lifelong learning spirit. On the opposite side, in an increasingly open and internationally integrated environment, learners currently have many choices both in terms of addresses and methods to find knowledge for themselves. These changes have profoundly affected the way higher education institutions operate, which is seen as a driving force for higher education innovation. Therefore, it is more important than ever to improve the quality of training services, to attract learners, and to "support, care, orient" learners as customers. DSA's mission is dedicated to giving learners the best possible experience at UEH.

Prof.Dr. Su Dinh Thanh - UEH Principal delivered the opening speech

On behalf of DSA, MSc. Nguyen Van Duong - Head of Department of Student Affairs shared the vision and functions of DSA such as Information support, orientation activities; educational consulting; consulting activities; scholarship; multicultural integration; fight against sexual harassment; supporting learners with disabilities and extraordinary cases; solving questions; complaints of learners; student support services; training activities; professional activities; event organization. DSA staff will strive to become a reliable place and serve students better.

MSc. Nguyen Van Duong - Head of the Department of Student Affairs for learners shared

Prof.Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong - President of the University Council and UEH leaders and teachers congratulated and encouraged the new unit to perform well the care and support of students according to the university's development strategy

Dr. Nguyen Thi Doan Tran - Deputy Head of Department of Student Affairs and Student Nguyen Hai Nam, majoring in Marketing of UEH, reports research on student care and support activities at UEH

In addition to the introduction of the establishment and functions of the Department of Student Affairs, the conference also has many topics presented by experts to introduce more clearly the activities that UEH serves the needs of learners.

For Masters and Ph.D. students, understanding concerns about dissertations and theses such as research directions, research methods, data collection methods ..., DSA invited Dr. Le Nhat Hanh, Head of Research Methodology Department, Faculty of Management - UEH, to share the topic on How to build a research topic suitable for your ability? Dr. Nhat Hanh shared the research "secret" - the rule of fingers with 04 notes. Research issues should come from a topic that learners are curious, interested in, and experienced as much as possible. In addition to self-searching, learners can ask experts in their specialized fields about heated topics so that the topic is new and practical. To enhance the research paper, learners should choose the unique and strange research concept; regularly read published articles; consult good journals; choose data collection subjects: appropriate individuals (consumers, workers, tourists, students, and patients).

Topic How to build research topics suitable for your abilities by Dr. Le Nhat Hanh, Head of Research Methodology Department, UEH School of Management, presented

For students who are graduating, understand how concerns about recruitment trends change after the Covid -19 pandemic, career opportunities, the core qualities of employees are being sought by businesses. Search, DSA invited Mr. Nguyen Tuong Quang, DiPrincipal of Recruitment & Attraction Department, Asia Commercial Bank (ACB) - One of the hottest employers today, to talk to students about How the way to conquer employers in the context of Covid-19.

Topic: How to conquer employers in the Covid -19 context shared by Mr. Nguyen Tuong Quang, DiPrincipal of Recruitment & Attraction Department, ACB Bank, UEH

For new students who have difficulty adapting to and adapting to a new environment, the university study method, how to build friend-to-teacher relationships, balance learning and love, and DSA invited NCS.MSc. Mai My Hanh, Deputy Head of Psychology Department, University of Education Ho Chi Minh City, provides "tips" to help students have a beautiful and meaningful lecture time with the topic: Design a great university time.

Topic: Design a great university time by MSc. Mai My Hanh, Deputy Head of Psychology Department, University of Education Ho Chi Minh

According to research, the first 11 seconds are very vital to leave an impression on your partner. In order to help students build an elegant image that is the golden key in communication, Reporter: Ms. Truong Minh Xuan Thao (Primmy Truong), the beloved Beauty Blogger on social networks, lecturer from JRP Vietnam helped students build themselves their best version with topic: Build an elegant image in communication.

Topic: Building elegant images in communication presented by Ms. Truong Minh Xuan Thao - Beauty Blogger on social networks, JRP Vietnam lecturer

Currently, many students are victims of body shaming. Body shaming, also known as "disdain about appearance," can be simple sayings, but repeated repetition makes the listener feel self-confident, leading to obsession in life. Body language helps us overcome our fear of Body-Shaming and is more confident in front of the crowd, Ms. Truong Thi Minh Thuy (Naomi Truong), Founder & CEO at Fyoung Dance helped students use body language to overcome fears, afraid of body shaming.

Topic Overcoming the fear of body shaming with the presentation by Ms. Truong Thi Minh Thuy, Founder & CEO at Fyoung Dance

With the principle of always dedicated service, it is hoped that the UEH Department of Student Affairs will help connect learners with relevant, useful resources inside and outside the school, ensuring that learners can experience, not only in the entire learning process at the university but also before entering school and after graduation. Along with a team of highly trained, professionally trained, and continuously cultivated personnel, DSA is expected to become a right and reliable place for learners to express and be awarded and satisfactorily resolve their concerns.

Some other photos at the conference: