Fostering international collaboration for training and internship programs in vietnamese construction projects

Faculty of Civil Engineering (KTCT) at Ton Duc Thang University, in partnership with the Faculty of Construction and Environmental Engineering at Hochschule University of Applied Sciences Bochum in Germany, has successfully organized internship opportunities for Vietnamese final-year students specializing in construction engineering and construction management. 

During the field trip to the Ho Chi Minh City urban railways on November 3rd, 2023, Professor Stephan Loering from Hochschule Bochum University expressed his admiration for the advanced technology integrated into the city's inaugural railway project, spanning 19.7 km from Ben Thanh starting station to Suoi Tien ending station. Moreover, students specializing in construction and project management from both Hochschule Bochum University and Ton Duc Thang University (TDTU) had the privilege of receiving insights into the master plan from the project management unit, the HCMC Urban Railway No. 1 Company Limited (HURC1). The comprehensive urban railway system features six Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) lines and three Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines, with a total length of 219.6 km. Currently, only railway line No. 1 is nearing completion, while the remaining lines are in the project preparation stage and soliciting investments. Professor Stephan Loering expressed his confidence that with increasingly proficient project management, Vietnam will swiftly complete its urban transportation system. Completing this Hochiminh City urban railways system will enhance transportation capacity, alleviate inner-city traffic congestion, and make a meaningful contribution to the dynamic development of the largest and fastest-growing urban area in Vietnam today. 

Following the first field trip, the Professors, experts, and students from Hochschule Bochum University embarked on their field trip to the Masteri Center Point high-rise housing project on November 5th, 2023. During this construction site experience, they were provided with an extensive overview of the project, along with insights into the unique construction techniques employed for high-rise project by the contractor, the Central Construction Joint Stock Company. Professor Mathias Christoph Baitsch shared his positive impressions of various aspects, including the interior landscape and building design, construction quality, project schedule, and the professional project management carried out by all project stakeholders. Professor Baitsch further lauded the construction capabilities of Central, emphasizing that Vietnamese contractors have made significant advancements in project management, enabling them to undertake and complete high-rise projects both domestically and internationally successfully. 

Professor Stephan Loering highlighted that the construction site visits have been invaluable in enhancing the understanding of construction methods and project management in Vietnam for the construction students from the German university. He expressed his gratitude for the ongoing support provided by the Faculty of Civil Engineering at Ton Duc Thang University, which will further facilitate future internship programs, enabling the exchange of specialized experiences between the two universities. 

In his role as the leader of the joint Vietnamese and German student internship group, Dr Pham Hai Chien, Head of the Department of Construction Engineering and Management, emphasized that the Faculty of Civil Engineering particularly and Ton Duc Thang University in general towards international collaboration with universities worldwide. This collaboration provides a platform for exchanging specialized knowledge and practical professional experience. Furthermore, it gives students from both nations a valuable opportunity to directly engage, interact, and absorb expertise from esteemed professors and international peers. Such interactions, Dr. Chien noted, significantly enhance the quality of education and training at TDTU and fortify international cooperation within the Faculty of Civil Engineering. 

Some photos at the field trip to the Metro Line 1 project on November 3rd, 2023