Reimagining Gifted & Talented Education and How to prepare for a future that we can’t predict    

How can we define “gifted” and “talented” students in the 21st century? Is our current education system adequately fostering holistic talent development? How can schools, universities, corporates work together to empower young talents to grow and contribute to Vietnam development? These topics were discussed at the scientific conference “RE*GATE 2023: Reimagine Gifted and Talented Education” held at VinUniversity on July 26.

“Let’s start from the smallest things!”

On the morning of July 26, more than 100 educators and corporate representatives from various educational systems and organisations in Vietnam were privileged to listen to profound and meaningful insights from Professor Thomas Hatch, a world-renowned expert in educational innovation. He currently teaches at Teachers College, Columbia University and serves as the Director of the National Center for Restructuring Education, Schools, and Teaching (NCREST) in the United States.

Throughout his speech, Professor Hatch repeatedly emphasized the term “micro innovation,” asserting that all levels of education need to change to promote comprehensive talent development in learners. He pointed out that many education systems worldwide continue to operate under traditional models, teaching conventional subjects, and evaluating learners through rigid examinations. However, this model is no longer suitable for the modern world and fails to fully assess students’ capabilities.

Professor Thomas Hatch at the conference “RE*GATE 2023: Redefining the Talent Education Program”

“Instead of attempting a complete overhaul of the entire education system at once, educators can focus on small, targeted changes to address specific issues. Micro innovations will bring about distinct changes and contribute to the progress of the entire system” – shared Prof. Thomas Hatch.

Prof. Thomas Hatch also emphasized that the future ahead of us is challenging to predict, as exemplified by recent events. We must be open-minded and prepared for the unexpected. Education must also transform to equip learners with the necessary skills and knowledge for an ever-changing world,” shared Professor Thomas Hatch.

He encouraged educators to reshape the learning environment and how students acquire knowledge. Teachers should shift from a teacher-centred  approach, where students passively absorb information, to an interactive, experiential learning method that encourages students to actively learn through experimentation. Educators need to cultivate a flexible and comprehensive mindset, creating opportunities for students to explore the world beyond the confines of the classroom walls.

What is the future for young talents?

During a conference, Dr. Le Mai Lan, Chairwoman of VinUniversity Council, presented initial results from a research project titled “Challenges and Prospect for young talents” which developed by VinUniversity and set to launch in 2023. The report presents some interesting information about the competencies required of a talented bachelor to be recruited by employers.

Dr. Le Mai Lan explained that the research team asked future talented bachelors and employers questions to find answers to the future problem of talented bachelors in the labor market. This is an important topic that has received little attention in Vietnam, despite the existence of a system of specialized high schools for over 60 years and many universities that have been creating talented bachelor classes for many years.

Dr. Le Mai Lan presented initial results from a research project titled “Challenge and Prospect for young talents” which developed by VinUniversity

Responses from the business group and the group of future talented graduates were relatively similar. However, four skills were deemed more important by businesses but overlooked by future talented bachelors: finishing ability, adaptability (manifested through humility and positive thinking), active mindset , and resilience.

The study also identified the basic skills that future bachelors need to have if they want to get a job. These include discipline and punctuality, effective teamwork and cooperation, planning and time management, thinking skills and Microsoft Office.

The top five competencies that make a remarkable difference to a person after graduating from university (and which define a truly talented bachelor) include working with an owner’s mindset, problem-solving mindset, data analysis and visualization, ability to smartly apply information to own work, digital transformation awareness. To have a successful career, talented people need to be resilient and persistent in achieving their goals, be flexible and responsive, able to self-learn and self-develop, as well as have design thinking, system optimization and digital experience mindset, and able to motivate team to together achieve targets.

Professor Prof. Le Anh Vinh –  Director of The Vietnam National Institute of Educational Sciences (VNIES) – agreed that knowledge can be acquired both at school and through practical experience. However, learners need to cultivate additional skills to foster a sense of interest and adaptability. These skills cannot be developed overnight but should be nurtured early.

“We often say that students must learn independently, but in reality, in Vietnam, they only truly learn to do so when they enter university. Throughout 12 years of basic education, it’s as if they are being led by their teachers every step of the way. Many of the things we are currently doing are actually doing things for the children. We assist them, but in reality, it’s to ease our own anxieties. We teach the children, but in reality, it’s to fulfil our own duties. If the children cannot do something, the teachers and schools may feel they haven’t fulfilled their tasks. However, the truth is that the children can still learn to do those things themselves, it’s a matter of skills. We need to help children cultivate these skills early”, observed Prof. Le Anh Vinh.

Professor Le Anh Vinh – Director of The Vietnam National Institute of Educational Sciences (VNIES)

——–

In the afternoon, educators participated in two informative workshops: “The Role of Educators  in talent education” by Dr. Nguyen Chi Hieu – Founder of IEG Global (Innovative Education Group Global) and “Applying ChatGPT in talent education” – Speaker Daniel Ruelle, Senior Lecturer, Director of Teaching & Learning Excellence Center, VinUniversity. Details of the workshops will be shared by VinUniversity in the following article.

Concluding the event, Dr. Le Mai Lan launched the “Talent Educators Network” aiming to build an educational community both within and outside Vietnam, with a shared ambition to identify talents and improve the effectiveness of education and development programs

During the business trip to Vietnam upon invitation from VinUniversity, Prof also attached and presented at the seminar “What needs to be done to improve schools and transform education? Lessons from the United States, Finland, Singapore, and Estonia” organized by VNIES on July 24. Further information can be found in here