The Deputy Minister highlighted this concern among many employers at the school-enterprise cooperation forum, organized by the Ministry on 28/9.

He questioned whether universities' assessment and grading methods align with business requirements, urging institutions to prioritize the quality of graduates.

"The Ministry is also planning to review this issue," the Deputy Minister stated.

Quan highlighted three key competencies that society, and businesses in particular, now prioritize for students. The first is foreign language proficiency, which is crucial for integration and working in international environments. While previously an advantage, it is now considered an essential, almost mandatory, skill.

The second competency is digital literacy. This extends beyond basic computer certificates, requiring a structured qualification framework. He expressed a desire for even social sciences and humanities students to possess sufficient digital skills to engage in technology projects.

The third, and most critical, competency is practical skills. The Deputy Minister argued that lengthy 70-80 page graduation projects, theses, or internship reports often fail to accurately reflect real-world abilities. He suggested that if universities accurately assess students' practical competencies, businesses would have greater confidence in their graduates' qualifications.

"While there are many degrees, a paper qualification without practical capability is dangerous. We need to tighten quality," Quan emphasized.

Deputy Minister Le Quan speaks at the forum on 28/9. *Photo: Le Nguyen*

Dinh Vinh Cuong, Chairman of 365Group Company Limited, also urged universities to expand interdisciplinary training for students. He noted that businesses seek versatile employees capable of addressing diverse issues within a single field.

"Beyond English, I suggest including Japanese, Korean, and Chinese. Students proficient in two foreign languages will be prioritized," Cuong stated. He added that his company is ready to collaborate with universities to design training programs or courses focused on practical skills and provide laboratory facilities for hands-on experience.

He further recommended that the Ministry recognize academic credits for students participating in real-world projects and supervised experiments at businesses. He also called for updated output standards and a flexible mechanism for industry professionals to serve as lecturers.

In recent years, the proportion of students graduating with excellent academic classifications has surged, particularly at economics-focused universities. This year, for instance, approximately half of the over 5,700 graduates from National Economics University received excellent degrees, marking a record high. Foreign Trade University reported a similar trend, with about 25% of its graduates achieving this distinction.

Le Nguyen