Asian education ministers group visits RMIT on training mission

Tiếng Việt

Asian education ministers group visits RMIT on training mission

More than 30 delegates from the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation, Regional Training Centre (SEAMEO RETRAC) recently paid a visit to RMIT Vietnam as part of a regular training program.

After a warm welcome and overview of RMIT Vietnam from President Professor Gael McDonald, the delegates had a chance to learn about some highlights of the University’s academic innovation.

RMIT Vietnam President Professor Gael McDonald (presenting) gives the participants an overview of the University.

Ms Heather Swenddal, Liaison for Communication and Academic Quality, Office of the Vice President Academic, presented on three key areas that speak to the innovative ethos of RMIT Vietnam: authenticity of students’ learning experiences, digital engagement and readiness, and world-class student support.

“At RMIT, we believe that students learn by doing, and that through authentic activity, they can gain skills that prepare them for life and work,” she said.

“When our students graduate, they have theoretical knowledge of their discipline, but they also have the practical know-how that they need to be leaders in their workplace.”

Replacing textbooks with curated digital resources, assessing students’ ability to apply their knowledge, and prioritising teamwork and collaboration are the examples that Ms Swenndal used to demonstrate how the University implemented its focus on authenticity.

The participants from SEAMEO RETRAC learn about RMIT Vietnam Library services.

She also emphasised that digital engagement was a standard part of every course at RMIT.

“Students access a learning management system to complete online tasks and access information about their progress,” she said. “Teachers also use a range of technologies in the classroom.”

And by “harnessing the potential of peer-assisted learning, using analytics for at-risk intervention, and identifying and supporting learning difficulties,” RMIT Vietnam provides its students with world-class support services, she said.

During a short Q&A session, the participants shared their interest in several of the University’s initiatives including digital open resources, the Personal Edge program, PhD scholarship for women, and the leadership and communication of its vision to staff as well as students.

More than 30 delegates from Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization, Regional Training Center (SEAMEO RETRAC) visit RMIT Vietnam in early June.

SEAMEO RETRAC organises an annual international training course on enhancing educational leadership and management for higher education leaders, administrators and managers in Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Vietnam.

The RMIT Vietnam visit was a part of the training which will give the course participants an opportunity to experience successful practices of educational leadership and management so that they can adapt and implement them at their institutions.

Story: Hoang Ha

Campus and community

19 June 2017