After 6 times of organisation, the Learning Express (LeX) programme has helped students of the Da Nang University of Science and Technology and Singapore Polytechnic have the opportunity to share learning experiences and participate in community-targeted common activities.

Students who participate in the Learning Express (LeX) programme discuss ways to help promote Tuy Loan rice paper. Photo: HUYNH LE

As one of the 30 students selected by the Da Nang University of Science and Technology to participate in the Learning Express 2023 experience, Tran Thi Thanh Mien, a student of the Department of Chemistry, said that during 12 days of working with a group of students and trainees from Singapore Polytechnic, she had the opportunity to experience the production and distribution process of craft village products in Hoa Vang District. At the same time, the fact that students from both countries take field trips, come up with research ideas and join discussions helps them approach problems in a faster and more effective manner.

According to Mien, in addition to the opportunity to exchange and gain learning experiences, the Learning Express 2023 programme helps students improve their English proficiency, especially communication skills in English. This is also an opportunity for you to learn about the Singaporean culture, thereby arousing the desire to cooperate, connect and work together in a peaceful and friendly environment.

It is known that Learning Express 2023 takes place within the framework of a cooperation project between Da Nang Polytechnic University and Singapore Polytechnic, following the international education model of building opportunities for students to experience the practical, topical issues from localities, thus helping them enhance design thinking, along with knowledge, skills and willingness to make more contributions to the community.

Assoc. Prof., Dr. Le Tien Dung, the Vice Rector of the Da Nang University of Science and Technology, said that, during the development of Learning Express 2023, students from the two universities will have the opportunity to jointly conduct surveys, research and develop practical projects right at traditional craft villages in Hoa Vang District, Da Nang, thereby learning about the process of producing, promoting and introducing traditional craft products.

Design thinking is part of the broader project-based learning educational model. It uses a creative, systematic approach to teach problem-solving. Students progress through the stages of Discovery, Ideation, Experimentation, and Evolution in search of innovative solutions to vexing problems. This modern educational model has been applied in an effective manner by many universities in current training activities.

According to Assoc. Prof., Dr. Le Tien Dung, design thinking and ideation provide students with practical environmental architecture to improve their capacity and provide a sense of readiness to contribute their efforts and intelligence to the community.

As reported by Mr. Leonidas Chua, Learning Express programme coordinator from Singapore Polytechnic, the Learning Express programme is an indispensable part of teaching activities in Singapore, by reaching all students from many different majors and convey their power to change design thinking methods. He assessed that the programme not only equips students with problem-solving methods but it also prompts them to continuously interact with different cultures around the world.

In particular, to participate in the programme, students must go through a strict selection round on foreign language proficiency, learning ability and problem-solving skills. Based on such mandatory requirements, students have more motivation to study, research and enhance their life skills right in such an ieal learning environment.

After 6 sessions, the Learning Express programme has helped farmers analyze, discuss, evaluate and solve problems. Many solutions and support ideas were proposed by the student group to help commercialize craft village products.

Ms. Tran Thi Luyen, the owner of Tuy Loan rice paper facility in Hoa Phong Commune, Hoa Vang District said that she regularly welcomes student groups under the Learning Express programme  who want take a deeper insignt into the production and distribution process. This has given her more motivation to develop business scale and quality products.

“Along with the work of improving the quality of Tuy Loan rice paper, students participating in the Learning Express programme have helped us better visualize the importance of packaging and design. In addition, we have researched and applied many groups of solutions taken by these students, such as how to access internet, take advantage of social networks to promote craft village products or create short videos to introduce our products, as well as publicise the people and land of Tuy Loan,” Ms. Luyen said.

Reporting by HUYNH LE - Translating by A.THU