Project’s title

Research-based curriculum development in molecular and materials sciences Vietnam (MOMA)

Project’s partner/ collaboration

Can Tho University, Quy Nhon University, Ha Noi University of Education, Da Nang University of Education, KU Lueven, University of Rostock, University of Twente.

Sponsor/Donor

Eramus+

Total budged

Project’s period/duration

179,602 EUR

15/01/2019 to 14/01/2023

Principal Investigator (PI)

Co-PI

Project’s member

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Thi Buu Hue

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Trong Tuan, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Phong, Dr. Ha Thi Kim Quy

Overall objective

1.   To reinforce the staff and lab capacity, thereby enhancing quality of the education and training programmes in MMS at the four VPU.

2.   To increase the number of students enrolling in science disciplines yearly.

Specific objectives

1.   To improve the education programmes in MMS at the four VPU

2.   To improve the academic English proficiency and scientific writing skills for both staff and students at the four VPU.

3.   To ensure that students have access to well equipped and safe laboratories to complement theoretical modules.

4.   To raise public awareness about the pivotal role of science disciplines toward the socio-economic development and to attract high-school students, especially students from remote areas in Vietnam, to start science education at university level.

Contents

WP1: Inventory of curriculum gaps: Survey and workshop were organized to figure out the out-of-date/missing courses in the current MMS education programmes thereby to identify the courses to be upgraded and built.

WP2: Curriculum design and update: Design and integration of the 24 uppraded/built courses into the current education programmes in chemistry and physics of the four VPU.

WP3: Laboratory upgrade to allow research-based education: Identification, purchase, delivery and installation of state-of-the art lab equipment to fulfill the needs of renewed and innovative MMS education at the VPU.

WP4: Improvement of academic English: Two academic English and scientific writing skills courses for young staff and students at four universities in Vietnam are given by KU Leuven experts.

WP5. External evaluation: The project will make use of a professional evaluator to gain the advantage of an objective analysis of project outcomes.

WP6. Campaign to attract students to Science education and dissemination: Disseminating the project results and attracting students to science education.

Expected outcome

WP1. 24 courses that need to be upgraded and newly built at the four VPU are identified.

WP2. Selected professors from European University partners will be in charge of teaching the courses in Vietnam. These professors will work together with the staff members in the closely related topics from the VPU to design suitable syllabi for the 24 courses.

WP3. The new lab facilities that are needed for the implementation of the research-based education modules in MMS will be identified and installed.

WP4. A significant improvement in academic English proficiency and in scientific writing skill is expected for staff ans students. Therefore, skills in teaching chemistry and physics in English will be improved.

WP5. Based on the mid-term evaluation, project members will be able to take up recommendations for the next 18 months of the project in case irregularties occur.

WP6. This activity helps to raise public awareness and interest in the role of science learning and teaching, which contribute to increase the student enrollment in this field meaning an achievement of project objectives.

Contact address

College of Natural Sciences, Can Tho University