Opening Ceremony of HUS-NUS Science Communication and STEM Workshop 2019

On the 7th of November 2019, VNU University of Science (VNU-HUS) organized the HUS-NUS Science Communication and STEM Workshop 2019 in collaboration with National University of Singapore (NUS) to promote education in Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The Opening Ceremony was held at 334 Nguyen Trai, Hanoi.

Overview of the workshop

The opening ceremony was attended by Prof. Leo Tan who is the NUS FoS Special Project Director, the Former Director of Singapore National Institute of Education, and the Former Executive Director of Singapore Science Center, along with Prof. Sow Chorng Haur of the Faculty of Science, NUS. VNU-HUS was represented by Assoc. Prof. Sc. Dr. Vu Hoang Linh - Vice Rector in charge, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tien Giang - Vice Rector, and leaders of functional offices and local and international scientists.

The event took place from the 7^th to the 9^th of November 2019, co-organized by VNU-HUS and NUS to provide training on STEM experiences and interactive activities for lecturers at universities and colleges, as well as teachers who are members of a number of specialized schools and practice schools in Vietnam.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tien Giang - Vice Rector of VNU-HUS delivered the opening remarks

During his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tien Giang, the Vice Rector of VNU-HUS emphasized: “Over the next two days you will look at the methods and approaches employed inside and outside of classrooms by our educators, to achieve impactful science communication, to promote a productive learning environment and to motivate students to learn. Our teachers will present innovations in teaching and learning, pedagogical practices that promote higher levels of thinking and inquiry, and techniques for effective science communication to invigorate interest in science. What will be introduced here are the best practice and platforms, which have been designed and tested to serve and to provide benefits to our students.” The Vice Rector expressed his hopes that the workshop would be effective and invited all attendees to actively participate in the discussions, as this is an area that benefits from the efforts, perspectives and cooperation of many parties.

At the workshop, lecturers from NUS, VNU-HUS and STEM experts provided training in teaching practices as well as demonstrating the accompanying models used in STEM teaching to the participants. Delegates shared information about innovations in interdisciplinary learning and technology, which enhance practical education that fosters learners' depth of thinking and exploration.

In addition, leading STEM experts in Vietnam and Singapore also introduced effective science communication techniques to increase the interest of learners in science and applied training activities in Vietnam.

Prof. Sow Chorng Haur - Department of Science, National University of Singapore delivers his speech

Speaking at the Opening Ceremony, Prof. Sow Chorng Haur of NUS said that: “The aim of this workshop is to share thoughts and reflections on STEM education and innovations in interdisciplinary learning and pedagogy. As well as attending inspiring lectures, participants will experience innovative classroom teaching practices, engage in interactive learning and participate in hands-on activities. We hope that attendees will be inspired and motivated as they return to their respective institutions and turn what they have learned into practice.”

The workshop had two general sessions and four parallel thematic seminars, held over three days from the 7th to 9^th of November. Participants were engaged in learning about new ideas and methods introduced during the first two days. On the third day, they had the opportunity to put this new knowledge in to practice and share ideas and experiences of the teaching process within their own work environments.

At the end of the workshop, all participants were issued with a Certificate of Attendance by the VNU-HUS and NUS.

During the 3 day conference, the following lectures were delivered:

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ta Thi Thao, presenting ‘Integrated STEM education for undergraduate students in Vietnam - An interdisciplinary modular approach’

- ‘Integrated STEM education for undergraduate students in Vietnam - An interdisciplinary modular approach’ - Assoc. TS Ta Thi Thao, Faculty of Chemistry, VNU-HUS

Prof. Leo Tan presents ‘Singapore's Social and Economic development through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in schools, tertiary institutes and the Science Centre.’

- ‘Singapore's Social and Economic development through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in schools, tertiary institutes and the Science Centre’ - GS. Leo Tan, Special Project Director in NUS FoS, Former Director of National Institute of Education, Former Executive Director of Singapore Science Center, One of the founding members of Lee Kong Chian Museum of Natural History

- ‘Student oriented general physics experiment: Design - Build - Test and Report’ - Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Dinh, Dr. Tran Vinh Thang - Faculty of Physics, VNU-HUS

- ‘Minds-on Science Demonstration’ - Prof. Sow Chorng Haur, NUS

- ‘From National STEM festival to School STEM festival’ - Dr. Dang Van Son, Center for Nano & Energy, VNU-HUS

- ‘Special Programs in Science’ - Prof. Liou Yih-Cherng, Dr. Lim Zhi Han, Dr. Chammika Udalagama, Dr. Linda Sellou, NUS

- ‘IoT and AI application solutions to improve the quality of STEM enrollment and training for technical universities in Vietnam’ - Mr. Do Hoang Son, Director of Long Minh Publishing House, expert on STEM, founder of Vietnam STEM Alliance, Mr. Hoang Van Dong, University of Electricity, Hanoi

- ‘Curriculum and Pioneering in the development of the Questioning-Pillar module at NUS’ - Assoc. Prof. Phil Chan, NUS Outstanding Educator, IoP Award for Physical Access Efforts in Astronomy, President of National University of Singapore General Education.

Some photos of the ceremony: