RMIT Vietnam shortlisted for prestigious higher education award
RMIT Vietnam has been shortlisted in the Teaching and Learning Strategy of the Year category at the inaugural Times Higher Education (THE) Awards Asia.
Nearly 80 universities from 21 countries, territories and regions have taken part in the awards, which encompass five categories and a range of university activities.
The Teaching and Learning Strategy of the Year category “recognizes a teaching and learning strategy that is distinctive and innovative, has enhanced both the student and staff experience, and reflects an institution’s core values.” The award focuses on progress made in 2018, including initiatives that were expanded or completed during that year.
“At RMIT Vietnam we have, for the last five years, been embarking on some exciting changes to teaching and learning that better align us to the needs of industry while at the same time also better preparing our students for the future working environment,” said RMIT Vietnam’s President Professor Gael McDonald.
“Among a number of strategies, this has involved having industry partners advise on our programs, involving more media-rich and digital content, moving away from formal examinations to more authentic assessment designed with specific companies, the opportunity for work-integrated learning and our curricular program Personal Edge, which builds soft skills in our graduates.”
Engagement with industry was a particular highlight in the learning and teaching strategy. RMIT Vietnam worked to incorporate WIL (Work Integrated Learning) courses into all higher education programs, and participated in 57 distinct WIL projects in 2018 alone. Highlights include a collaboration between fashion students and a local business to create sustainable fashion products, expanding industry partnerships in hospitality, and a competition for students to win an internship at e-commerce company Lazada.
The elevated focus on work readiness has had clear results, with 75 per cent of graduates finding full-time employment within three months of graduation. RMIT Vietnam has also seen a 16 per cent increase in student enrolments in the past year.
“We are absolutely delighted to be launching the inaugural THE Awards Asia with such a strong set of shortlists, highlighting the exceptional achievements of universities from across the Asian continent,” said THE’s editor Mr. John Gill. “Universities operate in a wide range of contexts and environments, with varied goals and missions, but whatever their situation, the institutions nominated for these awards are proving what extraordinary, transformational roles universities play.”
There’s more to come from RMIT Vietnam in 2019. “We look to continue to further enhance our Teaching and Learning Strategy going forward,” Professor McDonald said.
The winners of the THE Awards Asia will be announced at the THE Asia Universities Summit, to be held between April 30 and May 2 in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
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