RMIT Vietnam is committed to helping its students adjust to their new and sometimes challenging learning environment, and make the most of the opportunities it provides.

To assist in the process, the University provides a dedicated service to help students take control of their own learning.

Academic Advice staff can help students gain more control over how, when and what they study. They can help tailor your study loads to suit each individual, give advice you on the best study path and sequence of courses, and even help to ascertain whether a student is enrolled in the program most suited to their interests and abilities.

Any student wishing to change their enrolment – either by dropping or adding courses – needs to make an appointment to meet with an “academic advisement” staff member.

The University recognises that all other things in life do not suddenly stop when a student begins studying. Some students find it difficult to strike an appropriate balance between their university life and their outside life with family and others.

‘Advisement’ staff help students find ways to cope with balancing family and study responsibilities. They can also act as an advocate for students in situations where family issues may begin to interfere with studies in a detrimental way.

Students having difficulty in the RMIT academic environment are offered specialised help.

If a student is seen to be at substantial risk of failing in an academic program, Student Services will write to advise the student that he or she is “At Risk”.

This “At Risk” status is seen as an opportunity to work closely with the student to develop better results.

This often involves learning some study skills or time management skills that can help to make study time easier and more productive.
 
Students who are placed “At Risk” are encouraged to participate in a Performance Improvement Planning (PIP) Program. This is a multi-step process during which student and an academic adviser form a partnership to help the student succeed better in their academic goals.

The PIP Program helps students learn to assess their own strengths and weaknesses, plan their time better, and engage on a more active level with both their lecturers and the learning materials.

The Academic Advisement office is part of Student Services.

Advisement staff are able to act in support of a student and even be an advocate in cases of disciplinary hearings, exclusion hearings or when a student may want to request that some of their work be re-assessed.

Advisement staff can also help understand their rights as a student, and what procedures and processes are in place to guarantee these rights.

Even the best student can learn new skills to study more effectively and efficiently.

Along with general Academic Advisement staff, the University’s Learning Skills Unit also helps students better understand how their time is being spent and provides materials to assist in organising time better.

The Learning Skills Unit, the Academic Advisement staff and the University’s counselling service all work together to help students cope with common problems such as fear of examinations, parental pressure and stress. 

Students attending RMIT Vietnam typically need to deal with various challenges, including the need to study complicated subjects in a second language. They also have to adjust their learning style and strategies to cope with a model of learning and teaching that is quite different to traditional Vietnamese approaches.

Students sometimes need help adjusting to this environment, and maintaining their commitment to studying, once they have been at RMIT for a period of time.

Students are encouraged to seek out this help whenever they need it, as a means of better achieving the goals they have set for themselves.

Advisement staff can be consulted by making a telephone or email booking, or visiting the service in person.

Email   advisement@rmit.edu.vn
SGS Campus  Room 1.1.08
Hanoi Campus Room 1.4.6 (see Mr Terence Fox)