[Research Contribution] Investigation into the Current Status and Operational Needs of the UEH Mekong Student Volleyball Club

16 June, 2025

Keywords: Volleyball club, Club activities, UEH Mekong students

Sports activities in the university environment not only contribute to improving physical fitness but also play an essential role in developing soft skills, strengthening the connection between students and building a positive learning environment. In particular, the Student Volleyball Club at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City Campus in Vinh Long Province (UEH Mekong) is one of the models formed to create conditions for students to practice physical strength and personal skills through sports. In this research, the author group from UEH Mekong, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), analyzed the current status, needs, and made recommendations to contribute to improving the quality and effectiveness of the club’s operations.

Research context

In the current trend of higher education innovation, the comprehensive development of learners’ capacity is an important strategic orientation. In addition to equipping professional knowledge, extracurricular activities, especially sports, play an essential role in physical training, forming soft skills and teamwork spirit for students. At UEH Mekong, students not only study but also actively participate in sports activities, typically the volleyball club, one of the sports clubs formed to improve health and develop comprehensive capacity for students. With the attention and close guidance from the school, the activities of the volleyball club are constantly strengthened and developed.

On that basis, this study was conducted to analyze the current status, to identify needs, and to propose solutions to improve the operational efficiency of the UEH Mekong student volleyball club. The research results will be an important basis for orienting sustainable development for the club in the upcoming time, contributing to building a dynamic, positive, and comprehensive learning environment at UEH Mekong.

Current status of UEH Mekong student volleyball club activities

The research results have identified the following four core issues affecting the performance of the UEH Mekong student volleyball club:

Firstly, regarding training activities, students participating in the club do not have a stable training schedule. Factors like duration, time frame, and form of training organization are spontaneous, depending a lot on the study schedule and personal conditions of the members, leading to uneven training results.

Second, the facilities for training are limited. Training grounds, equipment, and specialized tools have not been invested in synchronously or have not fully met the regular training needs of students, affecting the quality of activities and the spirit of participation of members.

Third, the club’s operating budget is facing many difficulties. The club does not have a stable source of funding or a clear budget from external sources while the support budget from the parent unit is limited, making it difficult to organize meetings, internal tournaments, or member engagement programs.

Fourth, the organization and management of club activities are not systematic. The assignment of tasks, coordination of training schedules, internal communication, and long-term planning are still in the process of being completed. The lack of an effective management model and coordination between stakeholders has somewhat affected the quality of club operations.

From the above situations, the research team suggested solutions to overcome the shortcomings, meet practical needs, and simultaneously set a grounding for the UEH Mekong student volleyball club to develop sustainably in the future.

Operational needs of UEH Mekong student volleyball club

Improving the quality and efficiency of the UEH Mekong Student Volleyball Club requires investment and attention from many aspects. Based on the survey results and practical analysis, the research team identified five core needs that need to be prioritized in the upcoming time:

Facility needs

Facilities are an important foundation for maintaining and developing club activities.

Training ground: The club must have a training ground that meets standards for size, surface, nets, and training equipment. The training ground must have a roof to allow training in all weather conditions.
Training equipment: The club must have all the necessary training equipment for volleyball, like balls, nets, net posts, ball pumps, etc. Equipment must meet standards and must be maintained and replaced periodically to ensure quality.
Sound and lighting system: To create a vibrant and exciting atmosphere during training, the sound and lighting system needs to be arranged properly and of good quality.

Human resource needs

Professional and enthusiastic human resources are the core factor determining the effectiveness of the club’s operations.

Coaches: The club needs a team of coaches with expertise and experience in training and coaching volleyball to improve the quality of training and competition for the club.
Members: The club needs a team of members who are passionate and talented in volleyball. More members will enhance the prestige and image of the club’s activities.
Organizing Committee: The club needs to have an organizing committee responsible for organizing club activities such as training, competition, and exchange.

Financial needs

Finance is a necessary requirement to ensure that all club activities are maintained and expanded.

Operating expenses: The club needs funds to cover operating expenses such as renting a training ground, purchasing training equipment, and organizing competitions.
Awards: The club needs funds to award prizes to athletes in tournaments organized by the club.
Financial support: The club needs financial support from schools and social organizations to operate effectively.

Communication needs:

Communication plays a strategic role in enhancing the image, spreading values, and attracting resources for the club.

Building a brand identity: Designing a logo, slogan, and unique communication style are factors that create an impression, contributing to building the club’s brand in the UEH Mekong student community.
Multi-channel communication: Promoting activities on websites, fanpages, banners, posters, and digital platforms to spread information about activities, events, and participation opportunities, attracting new members and maintaining engagement with existing members.
Consistent communication strategy: Communication not only helps attract members but also builds credibility, trust, and companionship from stakeholders.

Need for communication

Competition is an essential activity that helps members practice skills, expand relationships, and motivate personal development.

Internal competitions: The club organizes internal sports to create opportunities for club members to compete and interact with each other. This helps to enhance team spirit, practice skills, and promote personal development.
Friendly Match: This is a common form of exchange between volleyball clubs, where teams compete with each other to gain experience, practice skills, and build relationships. Friendly matches usually take place in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Participation in tournaments: The club participates in volleyball tournaments to exchange, compete, and test their skills with other teams. Participating in tournaments helps players experience a professional competition environment, train their spirit, and gain competition experience.

Policy implications

Based on the research results, the authors have made recommendations to have appropriate orientations in the upcoming time to promote the UEH Mekong student volleyball club to operate effectively and develop sustainably.

For Mekong: To invest in building more facilities (practice field, equipment, tools) for volleyball to meet the extracurricular sports training needs of club students.
For UEH Mekong Union: To advise the Board of Management on mechanisms and policies to improve facilities, communications, and increase financial support for club activities, to mobilize organizations and individuals inside and outside the campus to support funding and sponsor club activities.
For the Department of Physical Education – National Defense and Security (at the School of Fundamental Science): To provide professional advice, assign lecturers to support the organization of training for the club; regularly monitor and guide the club’s management board in the management and organization of the club’s activities.
For the club’s management board: To build a team of highly qualified instructors and members, organize fundraising activities to cover operating costs, strengthen communication activities to promote the club’s image and activities, and organize exchange activities and learn from other clubs.

The full-text research article on Investigation into the current status and operational needs of the UEH Mekong student volleyball club can be accessed HERE

Authors: Nguyen Dai Son, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Son – University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City

This article is part of a series spreading research and applied knowledge with the message “For a More Sustainable Mekong”, part of the program “Research Contribution For All – Research for the Community” implemented by UEH. UEH cordially invites readers to the next UEH Research Insights newsletter.

News and photos: The authors, UEH Mekong Department of Admissions and Communications, UEH Department of Communications and Partnerships

Audio: Thanh Kieu