Dong Nai City is facing major opportunities alongside significant challenges in developing a high-quality workforce to support its future growth. Therefore, the city needs clear policies and strategic directions to encourage educational institutions to improve training quality, ensuring that programs align with the city's development while meeting the increasingly demanding requirements of businesses.

Dr. Doan Manh Quynh, Vice Rector of Dong Nai University of Technology (Trang Dai Ward), shared: “Today, higher education institutions can only survive and grow by building credibility with both students and employers. That credibility comes from comprehensive investment in facilities, faculty, and academic programs to ensure that every graduate possesses genuine competence.”

Opportunities Accompanied by Challenges

KN Holdings Group is currently operating numerous golf courses, resorts, real estate developments, and renewable energy projects. Notably, the group is developing three next-generation industrial parks (IPs) in Dong Nai City to attract high-tech and core technology enterprises. Alongside infrastructure development, the company has proactively partnered with several local universities to commission workforce training, particularly in engineering and technology.

 

Students at Dong Nai University of Technology practice on equipment sponsored by Japan's SMC Corporation.

 

Speaking about future workforce demands, Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Deputy General Director of KN Holdings, said: “Once these next-generation industrial parks become operational, the demand for highly qualified workers will be enormous, especially in semiconductor manufacturing, chip production, artificial intelligence (AI), electronics, automation, aviation, and biotechnology. Therefore, we must stay one step ahead by working closely with educational institutions to develop training programs that match our needs, requiring not only strong technical expertise but also foreign language proficiency and professional working attitudes.”

At the semiconductor manufacturing plant of Coherent Corporation (USA) in Nhon Trach 1 Industrial Park, recruitment announcements offering attractive salaries are regularly posted. This presents significant opportunities for young professionals with technical and technological expertise. However, according to several engineers working there, obtaining a university degree alone is far from sufficient. What recruiters truly seek is practical knowledge demonstrated through technical assessments, interviews, and the ability to solve real-world problems.

Sharing the same perspective, Mr. Shin Dong Chul, General Director of KSM ENG Vina Co., Ltd. (Giang Dien Industrial Park, Trang Bom Ward), a company specializing in semiconductor components and precision mechanical products for the petrochemical industry, stated: “Since investing in Dong Nai in 2021, while constructing our factory, we have collaborated closely with Dong Nai University of Technology in workforce training and recruitment. Thanks to this partnership, we have successfully recruited graduates with the right expertise who can quickly adapt to the actual production environment.”

Strengthening Collaboration Between Universities and Businesses

For sustainable development, educational institutions and businesses must establish a strong, mutually beneficial partnership. Companies need educational institutions capable of consistently supplying highly skilled and adaptable workers. Meanwhile, universities and colleges not only need employment opportunities for graduates but also require accurate information about industry demands to continuously update their curricula. This collaboration directly benefits students by narrowing the gap between classroom learning and industrial practice.

In Dong Nai City, many businesses, particularly foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises, have invested billions of Vietnamese dong in supporting educational institutions. A notable example is SMC Co., Ltd. (Long Duc Industrial Park, Long Thanh Ward), a global leader in automation and pneumatic equipment. The company has sponsored pneumatic laboratory systems for several institutions, including Lac Hong University, Dong Nai University of Technology, and Dong Nai College of Technology and Engineering. As a result, SMC consistently recruits graduates who can immediately integrate into its production lines.

Dr. PHAN NGOC SON, Rector of Dong Nai University of Technology:

Focusing on Training What Businesses Need

"We have quickly shifted our approach from teaching what we have to teaching what businesses actually need, especially developing students' adaptability. Companies have also proactively approached the university so that both sides can identify common interests and contribute to the development of Dong Nai City. We hope the city will introduce stronger policies and allocate sufficient resources to encourage all educational institutions to invest in emerging and core technology disciplines that support the city's and the nation's future development."

Representatives of the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) stated that since 2024, ACV has coordinated with the Department of Home Affairs and the Department of Education and Training of Dong Nai Province (now Dong Nai City) to recruit personnel in preparation for the trial operation and commercial launch of Long Thanh International Airport later this year. However, among the seven key job categories—including aviation safety specialists, safety officers, service quality controllers, ground vehicle and equipment operators, firefighters, maintenance technicians, and technical equipment operators—only a few are currently offered by local educational institutions.

Providing strategic guidance for this effort, during his visit and working session with the Standing Committee of the Dong Nai Party Committee on May 18, General Secretary and President To Lam emphasized the importance of developing a high-quality workforce strategy for the next stage of development. He highlighted that a highly skilled workforce is one of the key breakthroughs and the "key" to improving labor productivity and enhancing product quality. Therefore, Dong Nai City must prioritize investing in and preparing a new generation of young professionals equipped with advanced expertise, strong technical skills, and excellent foreign language proficiency to confidently enter the next phase of development.

 

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Source: Báo Đồng Nai