National Conference 2021: “Blended learning opening new challenges and opportunities for educational institutions in the new normal context”

On the morning of 14^th December 2021, International School of Business (ISB), University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) collaborated with Western Sydney University, International University, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, National Economics University, and Massey University on successfully organizing National Conference 2021: “Blended learning - A modern teaching methodology for economics majors” via Zoom online modality. This was also an occasion for scholars, researchers, scientists, and leading experts to meet each other, share their research findings, and conclude realistic experiences of “Blended learning” teaching methodology in economics majors.

Attending the conference, in terms of UEH, was Prof. Su Dinh Thanh - President of UEH, Dr. Bui Quang Hung - Vice President, and Prof. Nguyen Trong Hoai - Editor-in-Chief of JABES Journal.

Prof. Su Dinh Thanh - President of UEH attending the conference

In terms of ISB, there was Assoc. Prof. Tran Ha Minh Quan - Executive Dean of ISB, Master Phan Nhu Minh - Vice Dean of ISB, Ph.D. Tran Phuong Thao - Vice Dean of ISB, Ph.D. Douglas Foster - Vice Dean of ISB.

Assoc. Prof. Tran Ha Minh Quan - Executive Dean of ISB

In terms of Western Sydney University, there was Prof. Yi-chen Lan - Vice-Chancellor of Western Sydney University.

In terms of co-organizers, there was the participation of Dr. Ho Nhut Quang - President of International University Council, Vietnam National University HCMC; Dr. Le Viet Thuy - Director of Center for Applied Information Technology, National Economics University; lecturers, and officials of UEH units via online modality.

Besides, the conference attracted the involvement of representatives of National Economics University Hanoi, Western Sydney University, International University, Vietnam National University HCMC and Massey University.

Representatives of universities attendingNational Conference 2021 via online modality

Remarking at the conference opening, Prof. Su Dinh Thanh informed that Blended Learning, compared to traditional learning methods, opened challenges and opportunities for educational institutions in the new normal context. This was the reason for this conference with the desire to intensively discuss the Blended Learning modality. The conference received 50 discursive submissions from 10 national and international universities with more than 150 online registered participants.

“Discursive submissions received from the conference are excellent pieces of evidence, reflecting completely and diversely this new learning modality under the impact of the technology era, particularly economics majors. By applying Blended Learning modality, we also increase lecturers’ commitment and that to students as well as responsibility and adaptability. Technology is able to change the world and in terms of educators like us, a mission at this moment is together leading, adapting, and modifying for common sustainable development targets. We need to together adapt to innovation to renovate achievements. Blended Learning is not a weird learning methodology or complicated to be involved, however, it contains other risks itself. This is the reason universities have to more specifically understand this issue to prepare for changes in the new era.” - Prof. Su Dinh Thanh asserted.

National Conference 2021: “Blended learning - a modern teaching methodology for economics majors” received researchers’ and scholars’ concerns from the country. Papers selected for presentation and publication in the conference proceedings mainly cover major topics, listed as follows:

Discussion on students’ experiences of Blended learning modality;
Financial effectiveness of Blended learning modality;
The research aims of Blended learning modality;
Quality accreditation standards of modern training programs.

After the opening remark session, all guests and conference participating delegates were divided into groups to present, discuss, and share their experiences through 3 meeting rooms on an online platform:

Meeting room 1: Discussing and exchanging realistic experiences of applying Blended learning at Vietnamese universities.

Meeting room 2: Discussing and exchanging realistic experiences of applying Blended learning at Australian and American universities.

Meeting room 3: Financial effectiveness of Blended learning modality for managers and carrying out accreditation files according to FIBAA, AACSB standards (for economics and business administration majors).

The conference brought high-quality assumptions from exciting discussions between universities’ representatives and researchers, academicians.

At the end of the conference, on behalf of Organizing Board, Assoc. Prof. Tran Ha Minh Quan shared: “We are absolutely honored to organize this greatly meaningful conference. Through this, universities’ representatives, as well as specialists, have an opportunity to meet each other and share regarding Blended learning topic. Lots of initiatives and assumptions shared today are meaningful and oriented the future, especially teaching methodology in economics majors.”

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