General Director of PwC Vietnam: Businesses expect students to know more than one specialization.

PwC Vietnam General Director Mai Viet Hung Tran (right) during a dialogue with new students - Photo: TRONG NHAN

On the morning of September 6th, Mr. Mai Viet Hung Tran, General Director of PwC Vietnam, answered numerous questions during a dialogue between new students of the University of Economics and Law (Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City) and business leaders. This was an activity within the framework of the opening ceremony of the 2024-2025 academic year of the university. PwC is one of the four largest auditing firms in the world, often referred to as the "Big 4" in this field.

A freshman inquired about the impact of AI in the accounting and auditing industry and what students need to prepare to meet the demands of the job market in the future.

Mr. Mai Viet Hung Tran believes that AI is currently being widely applied to customer consulting tools, data analysis, legal services, risk management, etc. He predicts that in the next 5 years, AI will be a tool to support professionals in the field; however, the impact in the next 10 years is difficult to predict because technology is changing so rapidly.

Mr. Tran believes that with the rapid changes in the market and technology, new students should prepare themselves to accumulate more knowledge and skills across a broader range right from the start of their studies. Businesses increasingly expect successful employees to know more than just their main specialization.

For example, besides accounting and auditing, you can also learn about finance, information technology, law, etc. Knowledge and skills in these secondary specialties don't need to be overly broad or deep, but you should have a basic level to serve as a foundation for future advancements and to better prepare you for changes.

According to Mr. Tran, students should not be too narrow-minded, thinking that if they study accounting or auditing, they only know accounting and auditing and will work as accountants or auditors in the future.

Ms. Luong Thi Anh Tuyet, Deputy General Director of PwC Vietnam, believes that unlike previous generations, today's freshmen have many opportunities to acquire additional skills. However, with so many choices, freshmen must know how to select wisely.

For example, during their time at university, students will learn English, learn another foreign language, participate in academic clubs, take exams, supplement their knowledge related to their field of study, or keep up with technology.

According to Ms. Tuyet, students can start by considering their career aspirations after graduation, researching the knowledge and skills needed for the job, and then planning how to accumulate them.

"Without focus, you will wander aimlessly. Furthermore, new students should maintain a continuous learning attitude to always be ready to adapt appropriately to reality," Ms. Tuyet said.

New students ask questions to business representatives during the opening ceremony - Photo: TRONG NHAN

Students need to adapt to the new learning methods quickly.

For the 2024-2025 academic year, the University of Economics and Law (Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City) will welcome 2,630 new students. The university offers 15 majors with 33 specializations and training programs, including 8 specializations and training programs taught entirely in English.

This academic year, the school is implementing two collaborative education programs with businesses: Fintech and Management Information Systems (MIS).

Associate Professor Hoang Cong Gia Khanh - the principal - said that the Co-operative Education program allows new students to gain practical experience and work in businesses during their studies for a longer period and with deeper content compared to regular programs.

At the opening ceremony on September 6th, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Minh Tam - Vice Director of the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City - noted that the first year is often the year with the highest dropout rate among students at many universities. A major reason is that new students are unable to adapt to university-level studies.

Therefore, in his message to the new students, Mr. Tam suggested that they need to prepare themselves mentally to overcome the differences between university studies and high school, from learning methods to testing and evaluation methods, in order to quickly integrate into the university environment.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tong-giam-doc-pwc-viet-nam-doanh-nghiep-mong-doi-sinh-vien-biet-nhieu-hon-mot-chuyen-mon-20240906134134571.htm