In 4 days from 27th to 30th August 2019, the summer course for young Southern Vietnamese students and journalists with the topic “Base knowledge of the market economy” was held by the Vietnam Institute for Economic and Policy Research (VEPR) – University of Economics and Business, VNU under the sponsor of Friedrich Naumann Fund, Federal Republic of Germany at Ben Tre Riverside Resort, Ben Tre.
This year’s course is the
gathering venue of nearly 30 young journalists and students from different
communication agencies and universities all over Vietnam. Following the success
of previous courses, this year’s course continues to focus on students with the
passion to explore the market economy, with the desire to learn and acquire
knowledge for themselves as well as to make friends with individuals with
shared values.
The course’s aim is to provide learners with core principles of a market economy, thereby they can understand the social - moral - economic values in the modern life. Based on that theory, the course will help the learners build a more stable knowledge ground as well as better orientate their ideology development and future careers.
In the first lesson, Dr. Pham Hung Tien, deputy director of Friedrich Naumann Foundation Vietnam, sponsor representative made the opening remarks for this summer course VEPR - FNF 2019, he is an incredibly passionate man who always closely follow the procedures of the operation so that the course can become successful.
Dr. Pham Hung Tien - Deputy Director of Friedrich Naumann Institute (FNF Vietnam) gave the opening speech
Throughout the course, learners were able to discover the values of themselves, the basic values shared by society; and at the same time they were provided with a lot of useful knowledge about the core foundation and operation of a market economy. Learners were encouraged by Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Duc Thanh to reflect socio-economic issues logically, objectively and rationally; from which they themselves could form their exact assessment of how it works in real life.
Through the lecture of Dr. Pham Thi Hong Diep, learners had a chance to discuss topics revolving around the role of the government and the role of business owners in the market economy as well as the goals of freedom and prosperity of humankind.
Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Thi Hong Diep
On the second day of the course, musician Duong Thu - the special guest of the program gave a very fascinating discussion with the learners on how to look for freedom for creativity and the meaning of culture in economic development.
Musician Duong Thu speaking at the course
On the last day, learners were divided into five groups and they presented topics relating to the application of a market economy to Vietnam based on the theories delivered by the lecturers. Topics selected by the groups include: the import duties on alcohol, the floor price of airplane tickets, district level insurance, etc.
Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Duc Thanh
Through the presentations and peer reviews of the groups, along with the help of the lecturers, the students showed that the ideas of the market economy have been partly comprehended and applied properly.
The course is also the occasion when students taking the course had the opportunity to study together, to participate in group activities and to visit Ben Tre at the same time. It seemed that the 4-day-3-night period of the course was still not enough when most learners wanted the course to be extended, to discuss more, and to listen more.