[Unbox Glo-cal Program] Exploring Southeast Asia with the ISB ASEAN Co-op Bachelor Program: From International Experience to Global Citizenship

14 July, 2025

#Glo-calEducation #ISB_ASEAN_Co-op #UEH_International_School_of_Business #PracticalLearning

#The first regular program in Vietnam to implement the Cooperative Education model and be delivered entirely in English

#A Convergence Point Between Academic Knowledge and Practical Experience

#Seamless Integration of Exchange Semesters, Full-time Work Terms, and Experiential Learning

#An Academic Passport for the Journey of Global Knowledge Exploration

In a world of constant transformation, where national borders are increasingly open, welcoming global citizens ready to integrate and shape a sustainable future, education and training are undergoing a paradigm shift. This new era demands that learners be equipped with multidimensional thinking, flexible problem-solving skills, and adaptability to continual change. More than a journey of knowledge accumulation, learning has become a launchpad for each individual to find an ideal purpose and contribute to the community with the mission of a global citizen.

Consequently, modern educational programs today strive to maximize local experiential activities alongside classes that provide contemporary global knowledge. This is the essence of the Glo-cal Education Program.

Anticipating this global trend, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), with its “Glo-cal Education” orientation, has become one of the pioneering institutions in educational innovation, shaping a modern training model. Among its flagship initiatives is the ISB ASEAN Co-op Bachelor Program – a journey of knowledge discovery through regularly organized experiential learning trips. This program serves as a gateway for learners to connect more deeply with the dynamic and vibrant professional landscape of Southeast Asia.

Through the “window seat” of the Glo-cal Education flight, this article will “check in” at the key highlights and remarkable destinations featured in the experiential learning journeys of the ISB ASEAN Co-op Bachelor Program.

An Academic Passport for the Journey of Global Knowledge Exploration

The ISB ASEAN Co-op Bachelor Program at UEH is the first regular program in Vietnam to implement the Cooperative Education model. More than a simple training model, it is a convergence point between classroom learning and corporate life, where knowledge is illuminated by the flame of academia and real-world experience. This model not only helps students learn to know and understand, but also to do, to adapt, and to shine in the ever-changing currents of the modern world, becoming a solid stepping stone for each student to forge a career marked by their own unique identity.

Delivered entirely in English, the ISB ASEAN Co-op Bachelor Program aims to equip students with a robust foundation of global integration skills and mindsets, as well as international development orientation through:

01 Exchange Semester at leading partner universities in the region,
02 Full-time WorkTerms at reputable enterprises,
03 Study Tours in ASEAN countries.

These activities are tightly integrated into a 3.5-year training roadmap designed to develop students’ comprehensive capabilities, structured according to the AKSV framework: Attitude, Knowledge, Skills, and Values. Each stage is crafted with distinct learning and development objectives, supporting students in broadening their academic horizons, experiencing multiculturalism, and quickly adapting to professional environments.

Journeys Across the Vast Academic Universe

With a modern training model that combines theory and practical experience, the ISB ASEAN Co-op Bachelor Program attracts students with opportunities for real-world study and work across the region. Throughout their studies, students will become academic travelers, participating in three Study Tours to different countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, or Singapore. Through these journeys, students not only acquire specialized knowledge interwoven into the trips but also hone soft skills, adaptability, and gain deeper insights into the culture, people, and markets of the region. These experiences form a solid foundation for students to confidently integrate and become icons of the pioneering generation in the context of globalization.

Study Tour of Cohort 49 ISB ASEAN Co-op students to Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia

Study Tour of Cohort 49 ISB ASEAN Co-op students to Thailand and Malaysia

In recent years, Study Tours have actively integrated specialized subjects into the exploration of new lands: “Participating in three Study Tours to Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia, linked with the courses Principles of Marketing, Principles of Economics, and Consumer Behavior, brought me memorable and meaningful experiences,” shared Tran Duy Nam, ISB ASEAN Co-op student, Cohort 49. Integrating specialized knowledge into practical classes is not only a modern training method but also opens up many opportunities for learners to approach countries from different perspectives – discovering a friendly, vibrant Thailand; a modern yet disciplined Singapore; or a harmonious and creative Indonesia.

Beyond applying specialized knowledge in practice, Study Tours are also profound experiential journeys that help students mature through learning, networking, and teamwork in an international environment. Specifically, Pham Minh Khue, ISB ASEAN Co-op student, Cohort 50, shared after completing the first Study Tour in Thailand: “There, I had the opportunity to work in teams, build storyboards, present, and interview locals to learn about consumer behavior. This helped me improve my communication, English proficiency, and confidence in international settings.”

Similarly, Doan Minh Quan, ISB ASEAN Co-op student, Cohort 50, expressed reflections on his first university Study Tour, emphasizing personal growth in adaptability and building multicultural relationships through working with locals: “This international experience gave me the confidence that I can work anywhere, from Asia to Europe, and steadfastly pursue my goal of becoming a professional Digital Marketer.”Sharing her deep impressions of the program, Pham Doan Minh Anh, ISB ASEAN Co-op student, Cohort 50, stated: Not only do students acquire specialized knowledge from a global perspective, but they also have the opportunity to comprehensively develop soft skills such as critical thinking, adaptability, cross-cultural communication, and professional work ethic – an essential foundation for future careers.

Accompanying students throughout their studies and international “adventures” is a team of dedicated and highly qualified lecturers. Faculty members not only impart knowledge but also guide and support students from ideation and project implementation to refining presentation and teamwork skills. This support provides motivation, helping students confidently overcome challenges and achieve personal goals in both academic and real-world settings.

Networking and knowledge-sharing activities during Study Tours

Confronted with an ever-expanding and dynamic academic universe where global knowledge values converge, the ISB ASEAN Co-op Bachelor Program serves as a steadfast compass guiding students on their journey to explore the map of integration. The program not only builds a solid foundation of academic knowledge but also fosters lifelong learning mindsets with essential skills such as critical thinking, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, as well as enhancing language and technological competencies in a multicultural environment. Through international exchanges, practical semesters, and corporate internships, students’ personal values and sense of social responsibility are also strongly and sustainably cultivated. All these elements create a generation of resilient students, embodying professionalism and an unyielding aspiration to reach new heights – a profound testament to UEH’s commitment to developing global citizens.

In 2025, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) plans to admit 50 students into the ISB ASEAN Co-op Bachelor Program. Admissions will target candidates from specialized high schools with outstanding academic achievements, international English certificates, or provincial/city-level academic awards.

The ISB ASEAN Co-op Bachelor Program offers five admission methods and six subject combinations, including:

Method 3 (Evaluation of students with strong academic records): subject combinations A00, A01, D26, D27, D28, D29, D30, AH3, D01, D02, D03, D04, D05, D06, DD2, D07, D21, D22, D23, D24, D25, AH2, D09, AH5, D36, D37, D38, D39, D40.

Method 5 (Evaluation based on the results of the national high school graduation exam): subject combinations A00, A01, D01, D07, D09.

For more information on UEH admissions, visit: https://tuyensinhdaihoc.ueh.edu.vn/

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Belonging to UEH’s Multi-disciplinary & Sustainable Strategy, Glo-cal Education is a differentiated educational orientation at UEH, placing learners at the center and striving to deliver and impart global knowledge in connection with local context and market realities.

This distinctive UEH training approach is realized through: (1) Curriculum design integrated with sustainable knowledge; (2) Promotion of interdisciplinary learning and practical problem-solving; (3) Diverse teaching methods for accessible knowledge acquisition: from traditional classrooms, expert-led classes, and simulated reality rooms to course projects and online classes; (4) Practical application of problem-solving directly on campus, such as Living Labs; (5) Cultural diversity and global perspectives; (6) Global and local partnerships; and (7) Development of lifelong learning pathways.

News and images: Department of Communications and Partnerships