Accountancy students from high quality program attended the Experiential Learning Program in summer 2018

TDTU, 21/07/2018

The Experiential Learning Program in Singapore (ELP) was first organised in the summer of 2018. The program was a result of the memorandum of agreement signed between the Faculty of Accounting - Ton Duc Thang University (TDTU) and School of Business - Singapore Polytechnic (SP) with facilitating from the Institute of Chartered Accountants UK and Wales (ICAEW).

From over 100 applications, the faculty selected 03 most deserved students to award ELP scholarships: Hoang Tran Phuong Chau, Nguyen Thi Ngoc and Ho Minh Thanh. Before the exchange, ICAEW Vietnam also supported TDTU accounting students with a preparation course, to provide them with basic knowledge of CFAB Accounting module and communication skills for the trip to come. From Vietnam there would be also representatives from National Economics University, Banking Academy, Thuongmai University, Foreign Trade University, University of Economics – National University, and 03 leading Indonesian universities to attend the program at SP’s premise.

Arriving at Changi airport, Vietnamese students received a very warm welcome from Mr. Daryl Aw (SP supervisor) and students from SP School of Business. During the 14-day program, Singaporeans were also very attentive in guiding Vietnamese students to find their way around the huge campus, instructing how to self-serve at 06 food courts, how to use the self-study facilities at Hilltop Library and how to top-up EZ-Link card to use MRT/bus travelling from Dover station to many places in Singapore, and exploring the Clementi and Chinatown night markets after school. Ho Minh Thanh expressed his thought: "SP students impress me a lot, because they seem very young but yet extremely energetic and enthusiastic. They help us quickly adapt with the daily lifestyle in Singapore. I feel that I need to try harder to be so active and bold.”

The most important component of the ELP program was the 52-hour Acccounting CFAB course, which was taught by Mr. Phillip Tan and Ms. Yeo Li Juen, lecturers from SP School of Business. TDTU students studied using state-of-the-art facilities and in fully English-spoken environment. In addition, they also participated in soft skills classes, such as: team working, professional etiquette, etc. During the week, students also took part in field trips to PwC Singapore and RSM Singapore, two financial service firms among the top 5 in the nation, as well as joined the Business Challenge competition held by Deloitte Singapore. Hoang Tran Phuong Chau said: "After this trip, Big Four is not just some names to me now, because I can see firsthand the working environment in three of the world's largest audit firms. I feel more motivated to earn my dream job position. Moreover, through networking with Vietnamese people working here, I also discover more career opportunities for my current major, such as: tax consulting, transfer pricing consulting, deal and advisory, etc besides traditional occupations of accountants or auditors. Finally, if I am about to work at multinational corporations, speaking fluent English is a must”.

Although the ELP only lasted for two weeks, it has achieved certain success. According to Nguyen Thi Ngoc: "Participating in the Experiential Learning Program with two fellow accountancy students was really a blessing and an honour for myself. This trip not only sharpened my specialized knowledge, but also enhanced vision for my future where I realized many potential developing pathways after university. In a thriving economic hub like Singapore, the acquisition of their thinking and working style is also really interesting and useful. I sincerely hope that if my faculty is to organize similar programs later on, the program duration might be extended quite a bit longer so that we can experience a full internship abroad”.

Some memorable moments of the program:

1-pre-class