On Vietnamese Teachers’ Day (November 20), Aus4Skills had the privilege of speaking with Ms. Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Tourism, Dien Bien Technical Economy College, one of 16 partner VET colleges of the Project “Promoting Logistics industry linkages with vocational education and training”, under the Aus4Skills Program.
Ms. Thuy’s journey to become a teacher is not only a story of passion but also the demonstration of determination and dedication under difficult conditions. Please join us in listening to her stories and sharing.
Hello Ms. Thuy. Aus4Skills Program would like to say thank you for accepting to participate in this interview. First of all, what inspired you to become a teacher?
Honestly, teaching was not my initial career goal during my university years, it was more like teaching found me. At that time, Lai Chau Technical High School of Economics and Technology was in shortage of teachers and invited me to join them. At first, I only thought of a temporary position. Nonetheless, when I taught and interacted with different types of students and learners at many levels, I realised that teaching at school was full of fun. After a short time, I felt that teaching was a suitable job for me and have stuck with the profession up until now.
In your journey as a teacher, what is the most memorable milestone for you?
To become the teacher as I am today, perhaps the pursuit of my master’s degree was the most difficult journey for me. However, it is also the proudest and most unforgettable memory in my career. I must leave home to the master class in Son La Province. Fortunately, my beloved students are a great source of help. One of my former students helped me look after my children while I went to school. The feeling of getting support from students is unforgettable. This is also the reason why I love my job so much. In addition, I also received help and empathy from colleagues who shared the same situation of being far from home and family and having to go through difficult mountain passes to get to school.
What do you think about the role of vocational education and training in improving lives and socio-economic development in mountainous areas with many ethnic minorities?
To me, the teaching profession at vocational education and training colleges (VET colleges) also includes the task of giving children a set of tools to create the future. Dien Bien College of Economics and Technology has up to 98% of ethnic minority students, students from poor households, boarding students and students facing difficult circumstances. Children face many barriers caused by customs and family economic conditions, leading to many school dropouts. In addition, the infrastructure and traffic connections in these areas are limited, causing numerous difficulties for children when traveling to school. Therefore, schools need to strengthen communication activities to help parents and students understand better the importance of education, as well as develop preferential policies to create favourable learning conditions for students.
In the face of such challenges, how do you and the teachers at your school support the students?
Right from the time of student enrollment, my school develops a plan to rent cars, send teachers from all faculties to pick them up, take them to school, and provide them with three meals a day, ensuring adequate nutrition for them.
During the learning process, depending on each subject, teachers will provide students with learning materials and means of transport for practical lessons taking place far away from school. In addition, we also call for help from organisations and businesses to provide scholarships for students with high academic achievements, encouraging them to continue pursuing their dreams.
My school has a Thai student majoring in Business Accounting. Unfortunately, she became bedridden and was unable to complete the high school program with her classmates. However, with extraordinary determination, she always comes out on top of the class.
Understanding her situation, my colleagues and I in the Faculty promptly encouraged and helped her in her study. With the special nature of the accounting major, the faculty lent her a computer throughout her study at school. My colleagues and I asked the Center for Disability Research and Capacity Development (DRD) to award the “Companion” scholarship to Huyen throughout her study, as while supporting her with adequate materials so that she can pursue her academic pathway in the best manner.
Please kindly share with us the contributions of the teachers to the development of your school?
Through participating in capacity building activities of the Aus4Skills Program, the school’s teachers have had the opportunity to access many new expertise and skills. This not only brings about innovation in teaching activities but also contributes to improving the school’s training quality, especially by applying the competency-based training and assessment (CBTA) method. The CBTA method has helped to adjust practice subjects so that students have better conditions to practice and achieve necessary occupational skills without feeling pressured by scores. Teachers also proactively apply new knowledge to adjust the training program, in which each subject clearly states the competencies that need to be achieved. In addition, the school has also built a practice room with equipment that meets occupational skills standards, thereby creating the best learning conditions for students.
Thanks to the dedication of teachers, the school’s enrollment results have continuously increased over the years. In the 2022-2023 school year, the school enrolled 468 students. In 2023-2024, this number increases to 520, reaching 95.6% of the target assigned by the Provincial People’s Committee. From the VET College Evaluation Results in the 2023-2024 school year, my school scored 92/100 points. In addition, it was granted a certificate of recognition for meeting the quality accreditation standards of vocational education training programs issued by the Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.
Notably, in the 2024 National VET Teachers Conference organised by the Directorate of Vocational Education and Training and the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the school was very proud when both teachers assigned to participate in the Conference secured prizes, with one second prize, one third prize, and one prize for the most effective use of self-made equipment.
On the Vietnamese teachers’ day, what feelings and messages do you want to convey to your colleagues and students?
This is always a special occasion for teachers. Receiving sincere love from students and colleagues, I am truly touched when I can see them trying to overcome many difficulties to go to school and make their own favourite career choices. The maturity of students through each school year relieves the fatigue of my work and the worries in my daily life. The most meaningful gifts they gave me are effective learning and practice hours, practical field trips to businesses, songs, and sport activities.
On this very special occasion, I would like to respectfully send to all teachers my best wishes with the most beautiful bouquets of flowers! Teaching has always been the noblest and most respected profession. I hope that all teachers will always be healthy and happy to continue accompanying students on their academic pathway.
Thank you very much for sharing your story with our readers. We wish you good health, happiness and more success in your teaching career.
