MARCUS LEONG

Scholars from Vietnam’s University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH) and Republic Polytechnic’s (RP) School of Applied Science (SAS) bonded over life’s vital resource - water.

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The students learnt more about how Singapore developed a sustainable water supply during the three-week long Temasek Foundation International Specialists’ Community Action & Leadership Exchange Programme hosted by RP.  

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The 50 students visited places such as the NEWater Visitor Centre, Kranji Reclamation Plant and Jurong Eco Garden to find out more about the measures Singapore has put in place.

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With their new knowledge, the students are aiming to develop a water distillation system in March 2017 that will help supply clean drinking water for the villages in Vietnam.

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However, coming up with a solution to ensure a sustainable water supply was not the only challenge the students faced. For many of the Vietnamese scholars, they had to overcome their fears of standing before a class to present their ideas and solutions - a key component in the Problem Based Learning (PBL) pedagogy adopted by RP. In addition, this was the first time the Vietnamese scholars were exposed to PBL.

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Nguyen Thien Phong Bryan, a third-year International Relations student at USSH, said: “Being in a new environment learning about science and water technology was difficult for me but I tried to find something relevant and link the knowledge back to how it can be applied to my country.”

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Ms Ho Thi Le Thuy, 45, a lecturer teaching Japanese studies in USSH, felt the PBL approach challenged the students to be self-directed in their learning. “I think PBL here is good because it forces the students to think deeper and discuss their thoughts. The work is thrown back to the students rather than relying on the teacher,” she said.

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Bryan also presented the team’s project to scholars from other countries. “Before I went up, I was so nervous. I didn’t think so many people would be listening to me. I even asked myself why I volunteered to do this,” said the 20-year-old.

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To conquer his stage fright, Bryan felt he had to be familiar and confident in what he was presenting. He said: “I have to master what I’m talking about, understand the problem and just do my best.”

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Besides the new knowledge of water technology and increase in confidence levels, it was the new friendships forged between the Vietnamese and RP students that made this trip memorable for the scholars. For example, the RP hosts bought cakes to celebrate two scholars’ birthday.

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Final-year International Relations student at USSH Le Hoai Khanh Vy, 22, said: “I really like the way the Singaporean students took care of the Vietnamese students. They really made us feel welcomed and at home.”

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