Enhancing competencies of lecturers with support of Dutch Orange Knowledge Program

Hanoi, 7-19 October 2019 

As part of the Orange Knowledge Program “Enhancing performance of the horticultural sector in North and Central Vietnam”, the first two of 10 trainings were implemented at Vietnam National University of Agriculture in October 2019. 

The training was opened by Dr Nguyen Viet Long, ICO Deputy Director from VNUA, Mr Dick Pouwels, chairman of HAS University of Applied Science and chairman of the Dutch Borderless Network and Mrs Nguyen Huong Lan, Senior Trade Advisor of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Hanoi, Vietnam. The training of trainers (ToT) trajectory consisted of two parts (1) Value Chain Development and Post Harvest Management in the horticulture business, and (2) Harvard Business School type case study development. 

Fruits and vegetables often find their way to the market with low value at least for farmers. The central question is how do these value chains function and how can we organize them in such a way that we add more value for all businesses in the chain. Furthermore, Vietnam experiences 10-30% post harvest losses in the chain, something that needs to be addressed. Thus, the first training focused on Value Chain Development and Post Harvest Management in the horticulture business. It had attendance of 27 lecturers, researchers and project managers from VNUA, Lao Cai and Ha Tây Agriculture Vocational Training Centers, FAVRI and DARD Huế city. Mr. Marc de Ruiter, (Lentiz Education Group), Mr Toon Keijsers (HAS University) and Mrs Ha Thi Lan Anh (Fresh Studio/Fresh Academy) were the trainers during this week’s program.

Mr. Nguyen Viet Long OKP coordinator (Vietnam side) opens the training

Mr Toon Keijsers (HAS University) delivers his lecture at the training

Group working

The second training on Harvard Business School type case study development was attended by 16 VNUA lecturers. During the training, the case studies developed by lecturers bridged the gaps of students between theory and practice. Students were also challenged to solve complex managerial and business challenges of cooperatives and business based on real life examples. Monika Sopov from the Wageningen Centre of Development Innovation from the Wageningen University and Research was the trainer and facilitator of the trajectory.

Ms. Monika Sopov with participants on the opening day of the second TOT

She carefully guides participants

Both trajectories included training in classroom as well field visits. The value chain development group wen to fresh vegetable markets and supermarkets to see how the supply chains function, where value was added, and analysing post harvest management and product quality issues. The reflections on these visits where presented to the total group in order to solidify the knowledge gain and research done. The case study groups visited 2 cooperatives to develop 2 case studies that will be used in classroom discussions by VNUA lecturers.

Participants on their field trip to a household in Bac Ninh province

Doing their case studies

To Wholesale Market in the southern of Hanoi

Vietnam National University of Agriculture (VNUA) hosted the participants as well as trainer and are also a partner in this NUFFIC supported program.

“This course is an eye-opening course for me. I was lost trying to find what to do to link education to market demand but now I know where to start. The trainers have given me a big push, a huge motivation for me to keep doing my job, trying to re-innovate our program to meet with the market demand. In the coming courses, I hope I will be able to learn how to transfer my energy and knowledge to my students more effectively and I will be able to see more of the Vietnam potentials in agriculture in comparison to other countries.” Dr Hoa Nguyen (the yellow T-shirt) is discussing with her team members

Mr. Dick Pouwels also gave an introduction on the way HAS University diversified their study programs to be able to keep supporting the dynamics in the Agri-Food (labour) market. He also underlined the need to co-design education with businesses and research: student learn better when they work to real life cases, teachers keep up to date their knowledge on what happens in business and business is supported in their innovation agenda.

Mr. Dick Pouwels (Chair of Executive Board, HAS University) introduces the Netherlands and HAS university

The next ToT will take place in December of 2019 in which didactic methods will be more central in the training sessions as well as improving the curricula of some of the programs taught at the University. 

The program is executed in a partnership of the Borderless Network partners Wageningen University, HAS University of Applied sciences, Lentiz Education Group, together with Agriterra, Fresh Studio and Vietnam National Agricultural University. The program is part of the Orange Knowledge Program, which is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and managed by Nuffic.