Establishment of Consulting and Training Support Team

Recently, the President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities signed a decision to establish a Training Advisory and Support Group under the Training Quality Assurance Center, abbreviated in English as CASA. Dr. Nghiem Xuan Huy - Deputy Director of the Training Quality Assurance Center - was appointed as Head of CASA. In regional and international universities, CASA is an indispensable part of learning and teaching life, playing a positive role in building a proactive learning environment from both teachers and students. For the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, CASA was established from the demands of practical training in the School after many years of actively implementing the credit-based training method. This training method requires learners to plan their own optimal study plan according to their own abilities and other conditions. However, in reality, many students, especially first-year students, still do not have the necessary skills to effectively adapt to the new learning method. Therefore, one of the important tasks of this department is to help students improve and sustainably develop active learning skills and methods such as: teamwork skills, presentation skills, active information searching skills... For teachers, CASA has the function of supporting teaching methods and skills to help teachers quickly adapt to innovative teaching methods, update the latest pedagogical skills and knowledge. CASA also aims to establish a network of young lecturers - young research groups with many active activities such as: building research projects in interdisciplinary groups, exchanging experiences and initiatives in teaching and research... In addition, with the establishment of an independent department in charge of consulting and training support, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities is taking a step forward in the standardization process to meet the criteria for training quality assessment according to national, regional and international standards. Dr. Nghiem Xuan Huy believes that the establishment of CASA will be a highlight, an important turning point in the training activities of the School, contributing to building a positive learning environment with students becoming the true center of the teaching and learning process. "If students previously relied too much on lecturers and did not know how to exploit learning support resources, with the establishment of CASA and regular consulting and support activities with a specific roadmap, this situation has the prospect of being significantly improved on a large scale" - Dr. Huy said. With the above meanings, the specific activities of CASA will be: - Consulting students on building a learning roadmap, choosing subjects, choosing lecturers, career counseling...; supporting students' learning through training sessions on learning methods, scientific research, soft skills, developing information exploitation capacity...; organizing training in soft skills and university-level learning methods according to social needs. - Consulting and supporting young lecturers on modern teaching methods and techniques through short-term training courses; organizing research group connections, seminars, discussions, and sharing information among lecturers in scientific research activities, teaching methods, and experience in handling pedagogical situations. - Researching and approaching modern teaching and learning methods to disseminate to lecturers and students; advising the School on necessary adjustments and changes to build a positive learning environment. Also according to Dr. Nghiem Xuan Huy, in the 2012-2013 school year, CASA will focus on promoting two main areas of activity: One is student consulting, including direct consulting and online consulting. CASA will sign contracts with experienced lecturers, scientists, and experts to advise students on a weekly basis. The second is organizing training sessions and seminars to systematize learning skills for students. Dr. Nghiem Xuan Huy said: “This September, there will be a seminar on the topic of helping first-year students get acquainted with and equipped with university learning methods. As for lecturers, we will start with a seminar to exchange experiences in using the subject website - an innovative teaching method activity that has just been piloted and has initially received very positive feedback from lecturers.”