HCM CITY — Seventy delegates from nine countries and territories are participating in the 3rd International Student Science Forum in HCM City from December 4 to 7.

Delegates include 41 outstanding Vietnamese students and 29 students from Canada, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Russia, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan.

The forum has also attracted about 1,000 Vietnamese students from colleges and universities across the country.

With the theme “Human Resources in Industry 4.0”, the forum offers opportunities for exchange and interaction with domestic and foreign experts and scientists.

Participants will take part in teambuilding activities and visit the Cần Giờ Mangrove Forest Biosphere Reserve.

They will also view major projects, science and technology centres, and cultural and historic sites in HCM City, and interact with students at two universities.

Speaking at the opening ceremony yesterday, Vice President of Việt Nam National University HCM City, Vũ Hải Quân, said that some curricula were shifting to work-based education and a focus on innovation.

“The rapid change in task requirements requires students to be able to study independently.”

However, some universities were focusing too much on providing knowledge rather than equipping students with self-study skills, he said.

The forum featured speeches from leading academics on topics such as Artificial Intelligence and strategic approaches to education in the context of Industry 4.0.

Andrew Smith, a lecturer at RMIT University in Việt Nam, said that communication and teamwork were the most important skillsets but that many graduates lacked these skills.

“You will need more than just technical skills. The field of IT is much bigger than just technical brilliance.”

He said students should be able to write effectively in a range of contexts and for different audiences and purposes, with a command of  English and various writing styles.

The use of SMS, email, discussion boards, chat rooms and instant messaging should also be used.

“Teamwork is about synergy, creating better outcomes, and learning how to be flexible,” Andrew said.

Working in teams requires active listening, establishing a common goal, assigning roles, creating a timeline, documenting regular meetings and other notes, and outlining your objectives, he said.

To address conflict, team members should acknowledge differences, discuss the impact, agree to a cooperative process and communicate, and list facts and situations without taking sides, he said.

Analysing the list of facts and situations, and both sides of the story requires mutual respect.

“If no resolution can be reached, contact a senior or another impartial person to assist,” he said.

The forum was organised by the Việt Nam Union of Students-HCM City chapter in collaboration with Việt Nam National University-HCM City and the city’s Department of Science and Technology. It welcomed the 10th national congress of the Việt Nam National Union of Students for the 2018-23 term. — VNS