Collaboration Program with KOSEN (Japan)
Introduction the Collaboration Program with KOSEN (Japan)
1. About KOSEN Education
KOSEN (Japanese: 国立 高等 専 門 学校, English: National Institute of Technology-NIT) is the National College of Technology system in Japan. KOSEN was in 1961 to meet the great demand for human resources from the industry when the Japanese industry is at an outstanding level. Currently there is 57 KOSEN schools in Japan. The KOSEN schools serve there tiers: 51 national schools, 3 public schools and 3 private schools. Since 1961, it is estimated that about more than 400,000 KOSEN graduates have actively contribute to both industry and academic fields such as design, research, management and many additional areas.
The core value of KOSEN Education is to train and develop students with practical, creative and to connect with the industry. This models has shown to contribute in creating jobs effectively for our students.
The basic features of the KOSEN Education Model:
– 5-year continuous training from the age of 15: students graduating from junior high school can choose KOSEN Education instead of entering high school as traditional method. However, high school graduates who do not attend a university can transfer to KOSEN to obtain a college degree to continue higher education.
– V-model Education: Most schools General Education (GE) subjects are taught in the first school year and decrease year by year. As for major subjects, they are also increased year by year. This education model is built to create a spiral for knowledge and skills development. It helps students develop their learning skills through three phases: Theory Learning, Researching and Practicing.
– Collaborate with local and nation industry through internships and other educational programs.
– The main education fields of KOSEN: Mechanics Engineering – Materials Sciences; Information Technology; Construction Engineering; Marine Engineering; Electronic and Electricity Engineering; Biotechnology and Chemistry; and other special fields are current to meet the needs of the labor market.
– KOSEN Education is based on problem-based learning method (PBL) for the teaching curriculum. Student-centered pedagogy helps students promote active learning skills, problem solving skills and critical thinking skills. At the same time, learners can acquire many necessary skills; such as develop good habit toward working/ document reading and anlying skills, finding and evaluate research materials, scientific debate, teamwork, and quickly understand real problems.
This method requires teachers to have more preparation time and resources to support students to learn more. More than 80% of KOSEN teachers are well trained in their profession. In addition, KOSEN schools are well equipped with resources for learning. KOSEN education helps students quickly adapt to jobs after graduation. In the last year of studying, students spend most of their time conducting Graduation Research under the guidance of their teachers or supervisors to promote creativity in each student. Career-oriented education was introduced in early years by conduct workshops and discussion meeting to transmit information, advice and guidance from senior to junior students. In the last two years before graduating, KOSEN learners on their summer vacations do internships with salary and non-salary based at companies across Japan. KOSEN education is not only the high quality in education, but also the opportunities for students to develop and express themselves. About 99% of graduates from KOSEN find jobs, and are able to obtain jobs in their fields of study.
2. Collaboration between Vietnam and KOSEN
On 12/1/2017, KOSEN signed a MOU with the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT); and on 13/1/2017, the same MOU was signed with the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA). On that basis, three agencies have started to improve the quality of Production Engineer Education in Vietnam.
Regarding the implementation of the previous KOSEN Education Model, at the Vietnam-Japan summit, there were general agreements as follows:
– In the “Joint Statement on Deepening Vietnam – Japan Partnership” on 6/6/2017, there is paragraph “26. The two sides cooperate to establish KOSEN Vietnam Liaison Office of NIT in Hanoi to contribute to improving the quality of Vocational Education in Vietnam.”
– In the “Japan -Vietnam Joint Statement on occasion the Socialist Republic of Vietnam President. TRAN Dai Quang visited Japan at the National Level” on 31/5/2018, paragraph “17. The two leaders shared their intention to promote collaboration in the field of education on high quality human resources; develop human resources in industrial sector; including the establishment of KOSEN Vietnam Liaison Office; do research on how to apply KOSEN Educational Model of Japan into Vietnam.”
– KOSEN Japan, with the support of MOIT and MOLISA, held the “KOSEN Forum in Hanoi” on 3/7/2018 and there propagated and promoted the collaboration activities of three agencies in the implementation of KOSEN education model to Vietnamese participants.
Following the above activities and further expanding collaboration between Vietnam and KOSEN, on 1/7/2019, the General Department of Vocational Education (DVET) and KOSEN signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the continuation of joint activities on working towards applying KOSEN Education Model to Vietnam. The cooperation contents include:
– Established KOSEN Vietnam Liaison Office in Vietnam;
– Organize the development and implementation of training programs following the KOSEN education model for 3-year and 5-year system in three pilot schools;
– Deploying short-term and long-term training courses for official managers and teachers on KOSEN Education Model at KOSEN schools in Japan and in Vietnam;
– Organize for teachers and students exchange;
– Transfer teaching curriculum, teaching materials for KOSEN Education Model in Vietnam;
– Exchange information on teaching equipment, testing materials and technical advice in the framework of training pilot implementation under the KOSEN Education Model;
– Promote cooperation and connection between KOSEN pilot schools in Vietnam and enterprises of the two countries;
– Coordinate to organize conferences and seminars on the development of the KOSEN Education Model in Vietnam;
– Research and establish KOSEN Certification Committee in Vietnam.
The two sides are committed to the responsibility to join together and implement the ideas and collaborations discussed. The General Department of Vocational Education Training (DVET) is responsible for proposing the government authorities to allow pilot training under the KOSEN Education Model in Vietnam; to select schools and studying majors to pilot program under KOSEN Education Model in Vietnam; coordinating with KOSEN Organization to organize short-term and long-term training courses; organize conferences, seminars and implement other cooperation activities related to the development of the KOSEN Education Model in Vietnam. Meanwhile, KOSEN will provide technical assistance and other necessary consultation to implement cooperation activities between the two sides; connect KOSEN Vietnam students to work in Japan under a high-level engineer program or to work at Japanese enterprise in Vietnam./.