IUH’s 2nd management team took a study tour to learn application of Kosen education in Japan 24-05-2018

Following the cooperation agreement between the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City (IUH) and the National Institute of Technology (KOSEN), and being supported by Japan the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Ministry of Industry and Trade, the 2^nd team of 14 managers took a study tour to learn application of Kosen education in Japan from May 9 to May 14, 2018. The team included Vice President, 11 managers from the main campus and 2 managers from Quang Ngai campus. These are the units had registered to implement and apply Kosen model in their units with three contents: 5S, PBL, and Industry Linkage.

The team visited Ibaraki College located in Ibaraki and Tokyo College located in Tokyo. At these colleges, effective performance of 5S, PBL, and Industry Linkage were introduced. Both colleges have large, comfortable and green campuses with good facilities supporting best conditions for education and training. The team visited libraries, classrooms, workshops, dormitories, etc., and observed students studying with active and serious attitude. The 4-member groups are very active in learning, communicating with lecturers and classmates in discussion with best efforts in order to complete their projects. At Tokyo College, the team had a chance to see presentation of 5th- year students in controlling automatic robots moving, turning, lifting and avoiding obstacles. The student confidence was impressive to all team members.

The team later had a visit to (1) Ricoh company that specializes in printing machines and photocopiers, (2) Nireco company that provides quality control machines and equipment, and (3) Jasco that designs and produces spectrum analysis equipment and tools. At these companies, the team was introduced 5S application in offices; history and development of products; visiting administrative offices, design and development area, testing area, etc., Those offices and working places were well arranged, in scientific order, most effective utilized in term of space and utilization. Furniture were aesthetics, logically positioned, and assuring safety. Employees were seriously in working with high responsibility in keeping clean and remaining thing in good order. The team was also introduced about policies of setting relationship with industry, supporting students in studying, doing research, and seeking jobs. It could be said that, generally speaking, Japanese companies have a close relationship with universities in both term of research and recruitment. Japanese companies also highly recognize graduates from Kosen colleges in term of knowledge, skills and working attitudes.

The study tour is considered very meaningful to all team’s members. By directly observing in reality the Kosen education implication in Kosen colleges and its relationship with industry, more understandings about Kosen were obtained, creating a new drives for those managers themselves in applying the Kosen model at IUH.

Apart from learning from Kosen implication in Japan, the team’s members also had a chance to have more understanding about Japanese people, society, culture, economy, industry, etc., In particularly, people with hospitality, hardworking, paying much attention to cleanness and health and safety, respecting to surrounding people, seriously conforming laws, continuous innovation, paying great efforts in recovering natural disasters; a country with advanced development of technology and engineering, impressive economic growth but paying much attention on working safety and environment protection. The team members definitely learnt and built experience for themselves.

Some photos of the trip

1. Visiting Ricoh company on May 10th, 2018