Over the course of two days, from April 6-7 2023, The Center for Education and Development (CED), in collaboration with AES Mong Duong Power Company Limited, organized a Plant Tour of the Mong Duong 2 BOT Power Project, for thirty -one excellent students who were awarded the “AES Future Energy Scholarship 2023”. This tour was with five lecturers from five domestic universities including; Hanoi University of Science and Technology (Faculty of Electrical and Electronics Engineering), Electric Power University (Faculty of Energy Technology), University of Natural Sciences – Hanoi National University (Faculty of Chemistry), Hanoi University of Industry (Faculty of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering), Quang Ninh University of Industry (Faculty of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering), and two CED officers.
During the two days of the Plant Tour, students and teachers obtained useful knowledge when having practical experiences at the first and largest BOT thermal power plant in Vietnam. At the factory, students and teachers learned and practiced Safety procedures; they were provided with protective equipment before entering the factory and were introduced to the technologies of exhaust gas treatment and environmental protection. In addition, the engineers of Mong Duong 2 BOT Power Project also demonstrated in detail the basic operating process of the power plant. On the second day of the visit, AES Mong Duong staff led the team to visit Sludge Dump 2 and introduced them to the slag removal technology and slag discharge process of the plant. Finally, the students had the opportunity to meet with the plant director and discuss potential internships and working opportunities at AES.
At the end of the visit, the teachers and students discussed their thoughts about the Plant tour. Mr. Vu Duy Tung, Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry, University of Sciences, Hanoi National University, thought that the trip was very beneficial for both students and lecturers, and it provided students with the opportunity to see what life outside of university is like. He hopes to have more trips like this. Mr. Tran Thanh Son, Lecturer of Hanoi University of Science and Technology, said that, “After a trip like this, one of the benefits that I see is how the experience gives students an idea of what life will be like when they start working. At school, the lecturers obviously discuss this with the students but without any practical application, meaning the students are not able to picture the specific jobs they discuss. Through discussions with the engineers in the factory, especially the plant directors, the students are given a clearer picture of what the job looks like.” He further emphasized that he agreed with the factory director’s opinion about Vietnam’s way of learning and education, which is too out-dated, and believes that students are suffering from a state of passivity and lack of creativity. This is a problem for students that requires improvement and needs to be actively changed. As for career opportunities, the students have learnt that this is a small field in which there are many career opportunities. In particular, with a unit like Mong Duong 2 Thermal Power Plant, it is made obvious that the facilities and remuneration are very good, and provides the students with a comparison between other units they have visited, or will visit. Through these sessions, the students gain a lot of knowledge and experience that allows them to clearly define their learning path.
As a result of this tour, Nguyen Thai Hoang, a student at the Quang Ninh University of Industry, has expanded his knowledge and now is even more passionate about his major. This trip also allowed him to understand and exchange specialized knowledge with other university friends. Furthermore, he has the desire to return to Mong Duong 2 Thermal Power Plant and now has the opportunity to become an intern and an employee here. Nguyen Thi Nga, a student at Hanoi University of Industry, wishes that the factory tour was longer, however; still feels that they gained valuable knowledge and skills from the experience. Ta Thi Huong Giang, a student at the University of Natural Sciences, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, shared that she developed new skills, that she will continue to hone, and now knows what an operating cycle is. She was also able to meet students from other schools, get to know them, discuss ideas with them, learn from them, and gain valuable insight that will contribute to her development.
