Junior and senior high schools across Da Nang are prioritising collaborations with local colleges and universities to organise visits, experiences, and training in knowledge and skills related to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). These efforts gradually shape pupils' career preferences, enabling them to choose the right field for their future.

Pupils from the Phan Boi Chau Junior High School based in Son Tra District took part in a STEM festival coordinated by the Da Nang Vocational College. Photo: NGOC HA

In early October, the University of Technology and Education - the University of Da Nang collaborated with the Le Hong Phong Junior High School based in Hai Chau District to conduct STEM training for 40 pupils passionate about engineering.

Faculty members taught STEM education methods and creative approaches for junior high school pupils, incorporating hands-on activities in the university’s ‘Maker’ space. Each group of pupils was mentored by a university student to create products, such as remote-controlled car models using theoretical knowledge from Maths, Physics, and Art, integrated with technical materials.

Nguyen Duc Hung, an 8^th grader at the Le Hong Phong Junior High School, shared that it was his first time experiencing a vast workshop filled with equipment and being guided directly by university lecturers. This practical exposure not only honed his critical thinking, analysis, and creativity but also deepened his understanding of technical and engineering fields to aid future career and school choices.

Sky-line Hill Junior and Senior High School pupils visited the Da Nang Vocational College at the end of October to explore IT fields, where they listened to programme overviews, practised in workshops, and gained hands-on experience, helping clarify their career interests.

These partnerships are seen as a solid step in career orientation. According to Mr. Dang Ngoc Lam, Headmaster of the Le Hong Phong Junior High School, university lecturers play a crucial role in inspiring and equipping pupils with essential skills. This cooperation fosters effective knowledge and skill transfer, building a seamless STEM education system from secondary to university levels.

Universities also benefit by promoting their training programmes. Associate Prof. Dr Nguyen Le Hung, Rector of the University of Technology and Education, emphasised that STEM education serves as the foundation for technical training and fosters a creative, capable generation through a structured pathway from secondary to higher education.

Principal of Da Nang Vocational College Ho Viet Ha noted that career orientation should provide pupils with comprehensive information for analysing their abilities, preferences, and job trends to choose suitable educational paths. Annual collaborations include tours and STEM programmes that expose pupils to various industries, such as mechanics and electronics, under the guidance of industry experts and in partnership with companies like Festo Viet Nam.

Reporting by NGOC HA – Translating by TRUC VY