On February 7th, 2018 VNU University of Languages and International Studies organized the preliminary wrap-up report of stage 1 of the implementation of the key state-level science-technology project under Tay Bac program.

The meeting was attended by President Dr Do Tuan Minh, the head of Science and Technology Office, the head of Finance and Planning Office and members of the project.

State-level scientific and technological programs in the period of 2013 – 2018 “Science & Technology for sustainable development in the northwestern region” is the concretization of the strategic guidelines of the Party and the State: Considering the science and technology as the top national policy. The subject “Studying and developing a model for improving foreign language skills for cadres and civil servants of Customs, External Affairs, Tourism and Border Protection for the implementation of public services and services in the integration trend in the northwestern region”  which belongs to this program is the largest state-level project ever successfully bidded for contract by ULIS VNU, approved and signed by the President of VNU, Program Director on October 30th, 2017.

The subject drew participation of scientific staff and experienced trainers who have many years of experience in organizing, managing and training various objects including students, specialized language learners and amateurs with the purpose and the need to use a variety of foreign languages. Basing on the achievements of previous studies, on the view of inheriting values in the indigenous cultural treasures, taking lessons from these projects, the subject promises to have breakthrough proposals in terms of efficiency in building models to increase capacity of English and Chinese which are suitable for practical conditions and particularly emphasizing on the correct and effective use of Officers of Customs, Foreign Affairs, Tourism and Border Protection in the performance of public duties and services.

At the meeting, Assoc.Prof. PhD Nguyen Lan Trung presented about preliminary results of the implementation of the first phase of the project. During last time, the group has conducted surveys in some northwestern provinces namely Dien Bien, Ha Giang, Lang Son, Lao Cai. The research team received the survey participants’ help.

The demand for enhancing foreign language skills for cadres, civil servants, officials belonging to Customs, Foreign Affairs, Tourism and Border Defence is highly appreciated; however, there are still limitations in the training. The team has also obtained valuable materials, developed the work in five areas, such as: Research on the construction of the criteria and assessment tools to evaluate English and Chinese skills and demand for using foreign languages ​​of cadres, civil servants and officials of Customs, Foreign Affairs, Tourism and Border Agency; Practical researches of assessing the capability to use foreign languages ​​of cadres, civil servants of the Customs, Foreign Affairs, Tourism and Border Defence; Studying and developing a model for enhancing foreign language capability for the implementation of assignments and services in the Northwestern region; Researching and advancing the program, curriculum and implementation conditions to improve English and Chinese proficiency.

In addition, the team also discussed the proposals, directions, solutions, products and procedures to implement the programme in the upcoming time importantly based on the criteria of efficiency and practicality.

According to President Do Tuan Minh’s speech at the briefing, “Studying and building models for enhancing foreign language skills for officials and civil servants in Customs, Foreign Affairs, Tourism Department and Border Defence to perform missions and services in the trend of international integration in the Northwest” is a meaningful topic. Therefore, the President expects the team members to actively carry out the programme to complete the topic on time. Moreover, the team should focus on the implementation of specific products related to this topic to enhance the practicality of the work. The Head’s directions for the topic have been recognized by the team members and the remaining tasks are being conducted.