International seminar on Civil Engineering and Management: Germany and Vietnam case study

On November 7th, 2023, the Faculty of Civil Engineering (KTCT) at Ton Duc Thang University (TDTU), in collaboration with the Faculty of Construction and Environmental Engineering at Hochschule Bochum University of Applied Sciences in Germany, hosted an international seminar on civil engineering and management: Germany and Vietnam case study. This seminar served as a crucial link between Vietnamese and German educators and students, fostering an environment conducive to sharing advanced construction industry insights. It aimed to equip students and trainees with the knowledge and confidence to explore educational opportunities and pursue international career paths upon graduation. Therefore, the seminar garnered significant interest, with the active participation of 100 construction students from both Ton Duc Thang University and Hochschule Bochum (Germany).

In the event's opening remarks, Dr. Tran Minh Tung, the Head of the Faculty of Civil Engineering, underscored the profound significance of the international seminar. He emphasized how it provides an invaluable opportunity for students within the Faculty of Civil Engineering to gain insights into contemporary design and management trends in the construction industry. Dr. Tung reiterated the KTCT commitment to welcoming professors and scholars from across the globe to share their specialized knowledge and scientific research, thereby facilitating the acquisition of advanced scientific knowledge by students. Therefore, the Faculty of Civil Engineering appreciates the Department of Construction and Construction Management for organizing an international seminar with a highly relevant topic, firmly emphasizing the value of international cooperation in education and training as a KTCT prominent goal for the academic year.

On behalf of the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Dr. Tung extended his heartfelt gratitude to the professors, experts, and students from Hochschule Bochum University (Germany) for their visit and contributions to Ton Duc Thang University. Dr Tung firmly believes that this marks the inception of an enduring international connection and collaboration in construction industry education and training between the two faculties and, by extension, the two universities. This partnership is geared towards enhancing the quality of educational programs and propelling them towards international integration.

For the construction engineering topic, Professor Stephan Loering delivered a presentation titled " The structural design of masonry walls in typical German residential buildings”. In his presentation, the professor conducted an extensive analysis of various facets, including the distinctive features of residential buildings in Germany, the fundamental construction and design principles governing masonry walls, the material properties of masonry bricks, and the inspection protocols for masonry structures in adherence to European standards, etc. It is noted that this knowledge is a valuable supplement to the existing curriculum, bridging the gaps and enabling students within the Faculty of Civil Engineering to attain a more comprehensive understanding of masonry structures in construction projects.

In the context of construction management, Professor Mathias Christoph Baitsch addressed the subject entitled “Building Information Modeling: An Introduction and How We Teach it at Bochum University of Applied Sciences”. During his presentation, he shared insights into the teaching of BIM at Hochschule

Bochum and offered illustrative examples of BIM model applications in typical German construction projects. Moreover, Professor Baitsch conducted an in-depth examination of the disparities between contemporary BIM models and the methodologies for seamless model conversion across prevalent BIM platforms within the construction market.

On behalf of the Hochschule Bochum University, Professor Stephan Loering shared their collective impressions following the visit to TDTU's facilities earlier that day. The professor commended the university for its well-equipped facilities, which cater to teaching, training, and scientific research. He noted that these resources have substantially contributed to enhancing the quality of education and research at TDTU, solidifying its position as one of the leading universities in Vietnam.

Some pictures at the International Seminar on November 7, 2023