Traditionally unified, with ample vigor and adaptability through challenges, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City has managed to graciously weather the COVID-19 storm since its arrival. Through sheer grit and determination, the university has been successful in maintaining effective learning, teaching and other leadership responsibilities to turn passively react plans into sustainable practices towards a future university in the age of digital transformation. 

 

Creating a balance between maintaining university activities and keeping each UEHer safe

 

In an effort to comply with government regulations while ensuring little to no sudden changes at the university, UEH advocates for the implementation of dual-objectives early in the lockdown days to make sure that each UEHer is kept safe, unharmed and unaffected to carry on their day-to-day responsibilities. From enforcing Directive 15-16 alongside the rest of Vietnam, the University made certain that there are sufficient tools and equipment available to conduct business as usual. 

 

By combining and integrating UEH’s own LMS system and other conferencing tools such as Microsoft, Zoom, and Teams, UEH held itself at a complete advantage in establishing a smooth transition from the traditional classroom setting to online instructions in the early days of the pandemic. To this day, most, if not all, lecturers and students at UEH have efficiently adjusted themselves to this “new normal”, seen and practiced worldwide. 

 

The success of such transformation can be credited to the Departments, Schools and Institutes’ quick actions in executing UEH’s “blended learning” plan. Most of UEH personnel were equipped with the latest technology and timely guidance on how to make the best use of the new tools. For that reason, it was extremely easy for all UEHers to both work remotely in times of need while still maintaining the level of confidentiality required. Simply put, despite the turmoil, the university was and is still able to abide by all social distancing rules and still exceed all performance expectations.

 

Prof. Su Dinh Thanh - UEH President on the the university’s dual-objectives strategy

 

Prof. Su Dinh Thanh - UEH President shared: “In ensuring our success, the university’s solutions and responses to all the changes must first comply with all government regulations and directives. Second, the inherent core values and culture at UEH is the basis on which each UEH member must remember and practice, so as to be able to lead in social turmoils such as the COVID pandemic. Third, UEH especially takes great consideration in the year 2021 as this marks the beginning of an ambitious restructuring and growth process for the entire university. For that, all of us at the Party Committee, the University Council and UEH Board of Management were adamant on maintaining our ongoing success through appropriate strategies and decisions, backed and supported by all of UEH to indeed implement the dual-objectives plans.”

 

Adjusting to a new working culture through proficient application of new technology 

 

Learning from our initial struggles in 2020, the university has worked tirelessly and diligently to improve and develop our digital infrastructure across campuses. Many new and modern equipment were thoroughly sought after such as servers, microphones, webcam, touchboards for lecturers; along with investing in Microsoft, Google Cloud Services, etc., to help create a unified system for teaching, learning and managing. 

 

Simultaneously, all of UEH teaching staff were quickly trained and supplied with the newest “blended teaching/learning” method from early 2020, making it more convenient for the implementation of fully-online instructions during lockdowns, with exceptions of certain specific subjects such as physical education. Consequently, students were still kept abreast of their schedule with very minimal damage or delays. 

 

UEHers can proficiently apply information technology in teaching and learning

 

Additionally, the IT Department at UEH is also readily available to provide 24/7 online & offline technical support to all requests, both during and after office hours 

 

Associate Professor Tran Tien Khai - Head of Department of Quality Assurance - Curriculum Development said: “Since COVID first appeared in 2020, it is all due to the university leaders’ quick and close support, the IT Department’s swift technical assistance and all other Department’s active participation that UEH’s online instructions were able to achieve exceptionally positive results. Our records show that approximately 70% of all teaching staff are comfortable with conducting online instructions with around 60-70% of UEH students feeling satisfied with their own online learning experience and outcome. As we welcomed 2021, things overall have improved significantly with both students and faculty members completely ready to carry out their duties, and it is also fortunate that most of our current benefits are unchanged as well.”

 

More notably, in dealing with the constant uncertainty from COVID-19, UEH has also made a bold move in moving all offline examinations to online through various forms, including short essays, multiple choice along with virtual Q&A to prevent any cases of misconduct. This is a courageous and daring move from the university, further showcasing and solidifying our stance on digital transformation at UEH. “All implementation was carried out smoothly and strictly with 100% of the students attending the exams. This was so done so well that one could say it’s like nothing ever happened at all.” - MSc. Dang Thai Thinh, Deputy Head of UEH IT Department noted.

 

Moreover, as a learner-centric university, UEH also plans to continue our student support services online as well. Specifically, to reduce the frequency of in-person contact at the office, the university has set up the Online Payment Portal [//es.harthi.net/] to regularly update and respond to all necessary needs at UEH, or the Careers Portal [//vieclam.harthi.net/] to help connect businesses and learners free of charge, or the Scholarship Portal [//hocbong.harthi.net/] to help learners find and apply for scholarships online easily.

 

Dr. Nguyen Thi Doan Tran - Deputy Head of Department of Student Affairs added: "Besides the conveniences that online services bring, UEH is also a companion who’s willingly sharing and providing useful, timely information, helping learners improve their own understanding and address any and all concerns related to grades, merits, testing anxiety, fear and loss of motivation, etc., through our online counseling programs and hotline contact.”

 

Online Instruction - A Step Closer to “Blended Learning”

 

The positive outcomes thus far show great promise for the next period of growth and development at UEH. Online instructions and examinations will no longer be a temporary solution but rather a permanent practice that will be carried out at UEH, under the authorization of the Ministry of Education and Training. This also brings about the chance for UEH to initiate “blended learning”, a combination of “online” and “offline” learning in our day-to-day life. Students will have more flexibility to access and review the study materials online first before showing up for further discussions in the classroom. It is with high hopes that the “virtual learning setting” can and will complement the traditional classrooms to help create a more competitive and highly capable workforce, especially in the age of digital transformation in higher education. 

 

UEH implements “blended learning”, combining “online” and “offline”

 

In showcasing their support for this process, UEH lecturers have made conscious efforts to adapt new teaching philosophies and methods to their daily procedures to keep up with modern trends. “This shift in mindset can be reflected in how our lecturers are ready and willing to embrace changes, from content to how we conduct our lecturers and interact with our students. Not only so, a lot of our colleagues have shown immense creativity to turn their lectures into an even more exciting and interactive session, especially those requiring a bit of digital exposure, such as Marketing, Data Analytics, Market Research, Customer Behaviors in the Digital Age, etc. Personally, I am convinced that UEH lecturers in the new age are no longer just teachers, but we’ve evolved into being facilitators and mentors for our students.” - Dr Dinh Tien Minh - Head of UEH Marketing. 

 

UEH lecturers change their way of thinking, actively improve teaching methods

 

UEH members are nothing if not traditional, whose practices welcome the very essence of a dynamic and creative environment. In keeping with the latest demands from the labor market, regardless of the situation, we vow to uphold our values and customs to further signify our belief in our own abilities to change and conquer new heights. 

Building on that, UEH has also joined hands with the rest of the community in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, one of which is to make generous donations to the National Vaccination Fund. Including June 11, 2021, approximately 608 UEH employees have contributed to this movement by donating a day’s worth of their salary and successfully raised an additional 141,870,000 VND. At the moment, the university continues to call for support and donation to our UEH Online Payment Portal until the end of June 30, 2021. We deem that this is a necessary step that will reap meaningful benefits for all of us during these trying times. 

The university hopes that UEH members will join hands, contribute to prevent further spread of the pandemic, and make more efforts to achieve UEH 2021 goals to become a meaningful international member in the new age. 

 

News, photos: Faculty/Institute, functional departments, Department of Marketing and Communication.