CDIO IMPLEMENTATION AT VNU-HCM:
From Pilot to Widespread Implementation
Trinh T.M Doan - Nghia H. Nguyen - Chinh Q. Nguyen
Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM), Vietnam(The CDIO Asian Regional Meeting, KIT, March 24-26, 2014)

CONTENT
1. A model framework for widespread implementation of CDIO
2. An implementation roadmap of the model framework
3. The CDIO pilot implementation and results
4. The generalized common frameworks
5. The widespread implementation of CDIO at VNU-HCM
6. Conclusions

INTRODUCTION
Vietnam is integrating into global economy, it faces a grandchallenge of transforming a very young population intoa skilled labor force

BUT

education system has not kept up with societyneeds and demand for global integration
This transformation requires
curriculum reform
for entire education system

VNU-HCM plays a pioneer role in thereform process
4/7/2014

3

VNU-HCM••

Largest and most prestigious•
University System in Vietnam•
System with 6 member Universities •6,000 Staffs
55,000 Undergraduate Students
10,000 Graduate Students

CDIO APPROACH
CDIO – An Innovative Education Initiative
Conceive-Design-Implement-Operatebuild model frameworkwidespread implementation

develop seven-year plan to nucleate implementationof the framework at strategic departments (2010-2017)

4/7/2014

5

1. A model framework

Widespread implementation at otheruniversities
3rd Stage

2nd Stage

1st Stage

4/7/2014

Use the pilot implementation
develop generalizablesolutions

Adapt CDIO principles
systematicallyreform the curriculumof strategic departments6

1. A model framework
5.
Broad disseminationof implementationmaterials and results
1.
Involvement of otherrelevant stakeholders
4.
Fundingand policy support

Modelframework- Engaged MOET in ourCDIO implementation
 encouraged VNUHCM to take theleadership role
- Assembled
consortium of strategic
departments within
VNU-HCM- Established collaboration
with peer universities
3.
Strategies to manage
the change process
and overcome
the barriers
4/7/2014

2.
Adaptation of CDIO
Syllabus andimplementationof CDIO Standards-Involved of industry
and alumni partners…

7

1. A model framework- Customizing
1.
Involvement of otherrelevant stakeholders

5.
Broad disseminationof implementationmaterials and results2.
Adaptation of CDIO
Syllabus andimplementationof CDIO Standards

Modelframework

4.
Fundingand policy support

4/7/2014

3.
Strategies to manage
the change process
and overcome
the barriers

CDIO Syllabus
learning outcomesmeet highest
international standards
while still satisfying thespecialized
requirements ofVietnam-Integrating the CDIO
Standards into ourprogram
evaluation process 
evaluate the extent of
CDIO implementation…
81. A model framework2.
Adaptation of CDIO
Syllabus andimplementationof CDIO Standards

1.
Involvement of otherrelevant stakeholders

3.
Strategies to manage
the change process
and overcome
the barriers

Modelframework

5.
Broad disseminationof implementationmaterials and results

4/7/2014- Change management
strategies based on CDIO
12 key success factorsof 3 phase of change:+ getting off to the rightstart+ building momentum incore change activities

4.
Fundingand policy support+ institutionalizing change

91. A model framework- Allocated funding to3.
Strategies to manage
the change process
and overcome
the barriers

2.
Adaptation of CDIO
Syllabus andimplementationof CDIO Standards

4.
Fundingand support policy+ for common activities
that are important toparticipating universities+ for participating faculty
members time and conduct
activities

Modelframework

1.
Involvement of otherrelevant stakeholders

support activities at theVNU-HCM System,university, and department
levels:5.
Broad disseminationof implementationmaterials and results- Invited CDIO experts toserve as our advisor and toteach workshops-Conduct yearly review toevaluate the progress andachievements…

4/7/2014

10

1. A model framework

4.
Fundingand policy support

3.
Strategies to manage
the change process
and overcome
the barriers

5.
Broad disseminationof implementationmaterials and results

4/7/2014- Hosting CDIO website
makes available inVietnamese the Syllabus,Standards, lessons learned
and solutions to common
implementation problems

Modelframework2.
Adaptation of CDIO
Syllabus andimplementationof CDIO Standards- Translated CDIO bookinto Vietnamese and gave
it for free to universities
attending the workshops
to promote CDIO in
Vietnam1.
Involvement of otherrelevant stakeholders-Committed resources to“train the trainers”…
11

2. An implementation roadmapof the model framework

2008-2009
Preparation for
implementation

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

…2017

Pilot implementation
at two strategic departments
Development of generalizable solutions
Widespread implementation

4/7/2014

12

3. The CDIO pilot implementation
and results
CDIO Approach
CDIO Syllabus
CDIO Standards (Std)

Pilot implementationand evaluation at twostrategic departments:

Inst. Mission & Program Goals (Std 1

Program Objectives & Outcomes (Std 2)

Curriculum (Std 3, 4, 5)

ProgramDevelopment/
Comprehensive
Improvement

Learning Environment (Std 6)

Teaching and Learning (Std 7, 8)

1.Department of
Mechanical Engineering- University ofTechnology

Faculty Development (Std 9, 10)

Learning Assessment (Std 11)

Program Evaluation (Std 12)

CDIO Rubrics

2. Department ofInformation Technology- University of Science3. The CDIO pilot implementation
and results
Standars
Std 1-2

At University Department Level

Std 3

new program LOs & integrated
curricula

Std 4

new introductory courses

Std 5

new Design-Implement courses

Std 6

retasked and new CDIO workspaces

Std 7-8

active learning (AL) and experiential
learning applied

Std 9-10

faculty members trained on using
Constructive Alignment Principles
to design, develop, and assess AL inlarge classes

Std 11-12- students assessed on CDIO skills- self-evaluated programs

4/7/2014

At VNU-HCM System, andNational Level•CDIO Book translated,published•CDIO implementationmaterials published•National CDIO Workshops
2010 (sponsor)•National CDIO Conference
2012 (hosted)14

4. The generalized common frameworks

Standars

At University Department LevelAt VNU-HCM, and National Level•CDIO Syllabus customized for MechE
programs•Guidelines for CDIO-Based
Program and Course Design andDevelopment

Std 1-2•CDIO Syllabus customized for CS, CE,and IT programs
Std 3•Intro. Course to Engineering
Std 4•Guidelines for Outcome-Based
Program and Course Design andDevelopment•Intro. Course to CS, CE, and IT
Std 5

D-I courses for MechE program

Std 6

CDIO workspaces for MechEDepartment

Std 7-8
Std 9-10
Std 11-12
4/7/2014

Guidelines for LOs Assessment forMechE programs•The Syllabus Framework forIntroductory Course•Faculty Training Courses: Using
Constructive Alignment Principles
to design, develop, and assess
AL in large classes
15

5. The widespread implementationof CDIO at VNU-HCM
CDIO Adoption
and Adaptation

Uni. ofTechnology

Uni. of Science

Uni. of IT

MechE Department
Since 2010

IT Department
Since 2010

2 Departments
since 2013

10 moredepartments
Since 2013, 2014

ICT DepartmentSince 2013

3 more Departments
since 2014

Uni. of
Economics andLaws

Int. Business
Department
since 2013

Chemistry
Department
Since 2013
4/7/2014

16

6. Conclusion- implementationof the framework- piloting CDIO at
two departments
within VNU-HCM- engaging MOET
to promote CDIO
in Vietnam- disseminating
implementationmaterials

4/7/2014-potential tofacilitate paralleldevelopment
and sharing ofresources andideas- Make impact
on national
effort toaccelerate
curriculum
reform throughwidespread
implementationof CDIO

Meet thedemand for
Vietnam’s
integration
into theglobal
economy17Thank you!