PwC Vietnam CEO: Businesses expect students to know more than one major

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

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

A new student wonders about the impacts of AI in the accounting and auditing industry and what students will need to prepare to meet the needs of the labor market in the future.

Mr. Mai Viet Hung Tran said that AI is currently being widely applied in customer consulting tools, data analysis, law, risk management, etc. It is predicted that in the next 5 years, AI will be a support tool for human resources in the profession, however, the impact in the next 10 years is difficult to predict because technology is changing too quickly.

Mr. Tran believes that when the market and technology are changing rapidly, new students should prepare themselves to accumulate more knowledge and skills on a broader scale right from the start of their studies. Businesses increasingly expect successful employees to know more than just their major.

For example, in addition to accounting and auditing, you can learn more about finance, information technology, law, etc. Knowledge and skills in these sub-specialties do not need to be too broad and deep, but you should have them at a basic level to lay the foundation for advancement and help you be more ready for changes.

According to Mr. Tran, students should not be too narrow-minded if they study accounting and auditing, they will only know accounting and auditing and later work as accountants and auditors.

Ms. Luong Thi Anh Tuyet - Deputy General Director of PwC Vietnam - said that unlike previous generations, new students today have many opportunities to improve their skills. However, when there are too many options, new students must know how to choose.

For example, during university, students will learn English, learn another foreign language, participate in academic clubs, take exams, supplement knowledge related to their major or update technology.

According to Ms. Tuyet, students can start from their career orientation after graduation, learn about the knowledge and skills needed for work, then plan to accumulate.

"If you don't focus, you will go around in circles. In addition, new students should maintain an attitude of continuous learning to always be ready to adapt to reality," said Ms. Tuyet.

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

Students need to adapt to new ways of learning soon.

In the 2024-2025 school year, the University of Economics and Law (Ho Chi Minh City National University) will welcome 2,630 new students. The school enrolls 15 majors with 33 majors and training programs, including 8 majors and training programs taught and learned entirely in English.

This school year, the school is implementing two cooperative education programs: financial technology (Fintech) and management information systems (MIS).

Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Cong Gia Khanh - principal - said the Co-operative Education program gives new students practical experience, real work in businesses right during the learning process with a longer time and deeper content than regular programs.

At the opening ceremony on September 6, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Minh Tam - Vice President of Ho Chi Minh City National University - noted that the first year is often the year that records the largest number of students dropping out of many universities. The main reason is that new students cannot adapt to studying at the university level.

Therefore, in his message to new students, Mr. Tam said that they need to prepare mentally to overcome the differences between university and high school, from the way of studying to the way of testing and evaluation, 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