On the morning of October 23, 2024, the Faculty of Foreign Languages at Ho Chi Minh City University of Banking (HUB) successfully convened the panel discussion titled " Innovation and Development of the English-Chinese Bilingual Undergraduate Program”. The event featured participation from the University’s leaders, faculty members, field experts, employers, alumni, and students of the Faculty of Foreign Languages.
In his opening address, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyễn Đức Trung, the Rector of the University, emphasized the significant role that the Chinese language plays in the economic sector and underscored the urgency of expanding the Chinese language program and specializations at the University. He also mentioned the intention of introducing a Master’s program and collaborating with several Taiwanese and Chinese universities to enhance the quality of education.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Đức Trung delivering the opening speech
At the panel discussion, Dr. Lưu Hớn Vũ, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Languages, presented an overview of the English-Chinese Bilingual Program, highlighting its distinctions from the Business English Program. The program is designed to elevate students’ proficiency in Chinese, setting a minimum requirement of level 3 on Vietnam’s 6-level Language Proficiency Framework. Furthermore, other objectives remain aligned with those of the Business English Program, ensuring a balance and quality of education.
Dr. Lưu Hớn Vũ, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Languages
The primary focus of the English-Chinese Bilingual Program is on cultivating Chinese language skills within a business context, alongside modules in cultural communication, practical grammar and professional Chinese for the workplace. This approach aims to equip students with the capability of using Chinese not only in daily interactions but also in specialized professional situations.
During the discussion, experts and employers provided valuable insights on how to enhance the program. Specifically, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Huỳnh Trang from the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City and Dr. Châu A Phí from Ho Chi Minh City University of Education offered recommendations to refine the program learning outcomes to better align with academic and assessment standards. Employer representative Mr. Nguyễn Hà Trường Hải, CEO of Anh Solutions, highlighted the importance of incorporating practical experience into the curriculum. Meanwhile, Mr. Trần Minh Đức, CEO of Vince Co., Ltd., underscored the essential role of Chinese in international business communication, reflecting the market's growing demand for personnel who can communicate directly in Chinese, beyond the role of interpreter. Additionally, contributions from alumni and other employers emphasized the need to strengthen Chinese listening and speaking skills, enabling students to communicate confidently in both professional and real-world contexts.
Discussion among participants
In the closing remarks of the panel discussion, M.A. Nguyễn Ngọc Phương Dung, the Vice Dean in charge of the Faculty of Foreign Languages, acknowledged the contribution of the experts, employers, faculty members, and alumni who offered valuable feedback for the program's development. She emphasized that these insights would be taken into careful consideration and integrated into ongoing revisions and improvements, aiming to make the English-Chinese Bilingual Program a hallmark of excellence in high-quality workforce training at Ho Chi Minh City University of Banking.
M.A. Nguyễn Ngọc Phương Dung delivering the closing remarks
Below are some photos of the panel discussion:
A panorama of the panel discussion
A group photo of the participants