One of the most crucial solutions in Vietnam’s higher education today is to strengthen collaborations with businesses to improve students' qualifications and broaden their employment prospects. As part of a PhD dissertation, this research paper is intended to examine collaborative efforts between universities and industries in Vietnam, with a focus on bolstering the employability of university students. To achieve this objective, a mixed-method approach was employed, comprising a questionnaire administered to 132 final-year students and semi-structured interviews with ten students from this same demographic. Except for a few notable exceptions, the data collected and the results of an independent t-test suggest that there are no significant differences between participating in one activity as compared to another in the context of university-industry collaboration at universities. The study validates that within the context of Vietnam, research participants emphasized the importance of universities comprehending students' desires and attentively considering their feedback to construct and execute collaborative activities in a more practical and effective manner. It also reveals that incorporating generic skills courses into the curriculum, aligning and reinforcing academic knowledge with practical career-oriented components, and cultivating extensive hands-on skills through internship programs collectively enhance students' employability and prepare them better for their future career endeavors. To achieve this, it is essential to have collaboration among all relevant parties in the education process, working together with clear objectives and strategies to enhance the performance of the university-industry collaboration.

Authors:
Van Bui Thi Thanh, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Japan

About the Presenter(s)
Ms. BUI Thi Thanh Van is currently a PhD student cum Research Assistant at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Japan. Her current project is about the development of Vietnamese higher education system and graduate employability enhancement.

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