(VNF) - In addition to business management, finance, banking, biotechnology, IT, Vietnamese students now can pursue accredited higher learning programme in the field of education & training in Singapore.

The opportunity was made public in a conference conducted by the National Institute of Education (NIE) (Singapore) and the Vietnam Education News in Hanoi on Thursday.

The event brought together representatives of the school's Office of Graduate Studies and Professional Learning and interested Vietnamese students and working professionals.

In the conference, delegates of NIE, headed by Assoc. Prof. Hairon Salleh introduced to participants about options available at NIE for higher learning, which include Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MSc), Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor in Education.

The courses offered by NIE varies from early childhood education, applied linguistics, sports study to science & mathematics for educators, counselling & guidance and special education.

NIE student in presentation session (source: nie.edu.sg)

According to the school's Office of Higher learning, students can decide to complete the course through coursework or by dissertation.

NIE also partners with other institutions worldwide such as Teachers College, Columbia University (US) to provide students various exchange programmes and joint degrees.

General entry requirement to apply for NIE higher learning programme includes a good Bachelor's degree from a recognized university and at least one year of working experience.

For applicants whose first language is not English, and graduates of universities with non-English medium of instruction, TOEFL or IELTS certificate are required.

Presentation at the conference was conducted side by side with Q&A session, in which participants can directly made inquiry to NIE's representatives.

In response to the question whether candidate with non-education related background eligible to apply for graduate programme in NIE, Assoc. Prof. Hairon said, what matter the most is not the field of study/working but most importantly, it depends on what stated in the cover letter.

The candidate needs to express his/her viewpoints in the most effective manner to persuade the admission officers that he/she is the right and most motivated person to be selected for the course, the education expert said.

Regardless of the difference in nature, every industry needs people who are capable of training. Courses in NIE is thus are open for all interested inpiduals and benefit all learners, not only those of education and training background, Salleh stressed.

NIE delegation meeting with the VN National Institute of Education Management in Jan 2017 (source: niem.edu.vn)

In addition, he highlighted that there are various scholarship/grants program to support candidates, and encourage candidates to apply.

In the conference, interested inpiduals also received answers on issues of mutual concern, such as career opportunity in Singapore, adaptation in international learning environment and curriculum. They also had chance to know about the experience of living and studying in Singapore from a Vietnamese alumni of the Nanyang Technological University.

Starting as a college training manpowers to meet with the need of Singaporean primary & secondary schools’ thirst for teachers in the 1950s, NIE has now grown into a public university which provide training for educators at all level, from primary school teachers to professional trainers and management in education sector.

NIE has been showing vast supports to help enhance Vietnam's education and training capacity in the past 10 years.

In 2007, NIE signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Vietnam National University of Education, followed by the establishment of the Vietnam-Singapore Centre for Educational Excellence one year later.

Last January, NIE's delegation visited Vietnam's National Academy of Education Management to discuss further cooperation in training for school leaders./.

​

( Phi Yen )