Over the past two decades, Vietnam’s economy has undergone a period of robust growth with the ambitious goal of entering the top 20 global economies. To achieve this macroeconomic ambition, a high-quality workforce is considered a crucial input factor. Solving the human resources puzzle is no longer just a challenge for businesses; it is also a vital responsibility of the higher education system.
Appearing on the 500th milestone episode of the Vietnam Innovators podcast, Prof. Dr. René Thiele, President of the Vietnamese - German University (VGU), offered in-depth analyses on the shifting labor market and the new direction of education. Having served as a professor of geospatial information - a complex field intersecting urban planning and computer science and as a vice president at a university in Frankfurt (Germany), he shared that he decided to work in Vietnam because he was impressed by the country’s economic growth, the educational potential in the southern region and the love for Vietnam.
An 18-Year Journey To Build A “Lighthouse” Of Knowledge
Recalling the history of the Vietnamese - German University, Prof. Dr. René Thiele refers to it as a symbolic “lighthouse project” in diplomacy. Initiated in 2005 through discussions between political representatives of Germany and Vietnam, VGU carries the mission of transferring German’s educational philosophy, quality standards, and advanced research systems. If the Deutsches Haus in Ho Chi Minh City represents the quintessence of German engineering and design, VGU is expected to become a symbol of knowledge that strengthens the strategic partnership between the two nations.
From his perspective, Binh Duong is currently the “capital” of high-tech manufacturing, a hub for many multinational corporations. Placing a full-fledged university campus right in the heart of industrial zones helps the institution easily connect research activities with practical applications. At the same time, this model opens up countless internship and career opportunities for the approximately 4,000 students currently enrolled at the university.
Beyond The Major: Global Thinking And A “Dare To Fail” Culture
Amid the boom of artificial intelligence and automation, many parents worry about choosing a major that will keep their children from becoming obsolete. Addressing this concern, Prof. Dr. Thiele believes that specialized knowledge can be learned anywhere, but the most important thing a university needs to equip its students with is the capacity for global thinking and interdisciplinary problem-solving skills.
Working directly with Vietnamese youth, he likens them to “sponges,” eager to learn and incredibly hardworking. However, through the lens of a Western educator, he candidly points out a systemic gap: “Vietnamese students sometimes do not fully understand ‘why’ they have to study a certain issue, and the most obvious deficiency lies in their willingness to engage in critical discussions.”
According to Prof. Dr. Thiele, the pressure to be perfect makes many students afraid of making mistakes. To change this, he advocates building an open academic environment at VGU, where students are allowed to freely criticize without fear of offending, and most importantly, learn how to take responsibility for themselves.
The Talent Challenge In A Transforming Economy
Prof. Dr. Thiele believes Vietnam is currently undergoing a fundamental transition: from an economy focused on manufacturing efficiency to one positioned as a center of innovation and intellectual property creation.
However, this rapid growth could stall if the supply of high-quality talent cannot keep up. He cited real-world examples: an industry partner needing 500 engineers per year, the massive workforce required for high-speed railway projects, and the shortage of experienced Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) in Vietnam’s relatively young e-commerce sector.
These enormous talent gaps, especially in leadership, innovation, and advanced expertise, are exactly the challenges VGU aims to address.
To do so, the university is actively shaping the future labor market by developing talent in key industries expected to define the next decades:
- Renewable energy
- Logistics and supply chain management
- Mechatronics and biomedical engineering
- Computer science and mobile technologies
- Artificial Intelligence
- Semiconductors
- Smart Manufacturing
- Digital business & fintech
Thiele emphasized that the ultimate goal is to help Vietnam achieve industrial, technological, and energy independence within the next 10–15 years through a strong pool of homegrown talent.
The Standard German Experience: A Launchpad to the Global Stage
Discussing the competitive advantage of students when entering the labor market, Thiele emphasized the legacy of German education. According to him, the academic programs at VGU are designed not just to teach students how to use technology, but to compel them to dig deep and understand its core essence. This excellence in the academic experience is shaped by three distinct elements:
- Double Degree Program: Instead of merely receiving a local degree, graduates will hold both a degree from VGU and one from a partner university in Germany. 100% programs are taught in English by profession being graduated from global universities. This double degree goes beyond the typical framework of educational cooperation to become “a sharp testament to the fact that the students have fully met the most rigorous European standards”, the President assessed, thereby opening up a massive advantage in the global job market.
- Authentic International Experience: Stepping out of one’s comfort zone is always the first lesson in growing up. Therefore, the President encourages students to take advantage of the opportunity to go to Germany for an exchange of at least one semester. Throwing themselves into a completely unfamiliar “winter semester” in Europe, combined with honing their German language skills, is seen as a powerful catalyst for students to break out of their comfort zones and enhance their adaptability.
- A Campus as a “Micro-Society”: The student experience at VGU carries the distinct hallmark of international universities, most notably the fact that the majority of students live in dormitories right on campus. This place is not only a space for research and study, but also a micro-society for living, interacting, and cultural exchange. To the President, this closed ecosystem model is the most solid mental preparation “before they actually step into the complex working environments of multinational corporations.”
A Launchpad For The Elite Generation
Education has never been solely about degrees; it is a journey of shaping character and building the nation’s future. Deeply understanding Asian culture, where parents often have a significant influence on their children’s choice of university, Prof. René Thiele sends a message to young people on the threshold of college:
Follow your dreams and your heart, and develop your own vision of your life.
Under the stewardship of a President with a global vision, VGU is not just a school that imparts knowledge, it is a launchpad forging a new elite generation in Vietnam: professionally sound, rich in critical thinking, daring to venture, and ready to propel the country’s innovative economy up the global ladder.
