A leading global supplier of technology and services, Bosch, has launched the programme “Makers of Tomorrow”, an innovative approach to practical education, created and implemented in partnership with the Faculty of Engineering, National University of Laos (NUOL).
The programme, launched last Friday, is the first of its kind in Laos and in Southeast Asia. “Makers of Tomorrow” aims to foster creative problem-solving among youth via enriching hands-on learning opportunities that will also impart real-life, practical experience to the university’s students.
“Today’s youth are the makers of tomorrow. We are combining theory and practice to provide NUOL students with a unique opportunity to apply what they have learnt in the classroom, stretch their imagination, and collaborate to solve real-life challenges,” said Andre de Jong, Managing Director of Bosch in Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.
On the Faculty of Engineering’s objective in partnering with Bosch on the programme, Vice Dean of the faculty and Vocational Teacher Education Department, Prof. Dr Viman Phoummavong, said “Our students need the right skills, and an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset to prepare them for the future and contribute to the growth of Laos. Through “Makers of Tomorrow”, we aim to deliver quality education that is beyond theoretical.”
Conceived to be a sustainable programme that will enable students to learn, practice and be inspired, the first “Makers of Tomorrow” project will see students coming up with ideas to breathe new life and purpose into an old and unused, fundamental water tank on their university campus.
“The water tank has been around since the university campus was built many decades ago. We are challenging the students to find innovative ways to make it useful again. We believe that with their creativity, and equipped with Bosch power tools and technical guidance, they can transform the fundamental water tank into an artistic landmark or a buzzing activity zone,” said Prof. Dr Viman.
The competition is open to students from the Faculty of Engineering, Vocational Teacher Education, the Faculty of Architecture and Pakpasak Technical College.
Students will be teamed up across their fields of study to work together, supported by a project manager, experts from the three faculties and Bosch, as well as provided with sustainable building materials and Bosch power tools during the building phase.
The project will span two semesters, with the first semester for the design competition phase; and the second semester for the building phase, where the winning and runner-up teams implement the selected winning idea.
“Bosch continuously strives to improve the quality of individual life, environment and society to help make a difference. This includes a long-standing commitment to vocational training and academic partnerships on a global scale,” Andre de Jong said.
The company provides training based on German vocational standards. To date, it has also implemented vocational training programmes in other Asian countries of China, India, Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand. It is well regarded for its apprenticeship programme internationally, which has been established for more than 50 years now.
Source: Vientiane Times
