Embedding core values of creativity and teamwork in HE: lessons

learned from Japanese universities

Dr. Nguyen Duy Mong HaHead, Office of Educational Testing and Quality Assuarnce

USSH, VNU-HCM

AgendaOrganizational culture and University culture

Creativity and teamwork as important core values of Japanese

HEIs in the 21st century

Some recommendations for embedding creativity & teamwork

in HE

Context

• Industrial revolution 4.0• Globalization & integration• Innovation of Vietnamese HEIs & learning outcomes• Japan: Kaizen & PDCA, IMS (Idea-Marathon System )• 21st Century skills: lifelong learning, critical thinking,

creativity and teamwork

1- Organizational culture andUniversity culture

• The culture of a group - a pattern of shared basic assumptions - shared values and beliefs- as the correct way to perceive, think, and feelSchein (2004:17)

University culture, campus culture & academic culture

• University culture: a distinct type of organizational culture whose values and beliefs and basic assumptions are held in common by all universities (Dill 1982)

• Campus culture: material culture, institutional culture and spiritual culture…• Academic culture: academic outlooks, academic spirits, academic ethics

and academic environments• Creativity: the basis of creating a new culture (a sharp mind, active

thinking… creative spirit of designing an ideal culture) (Shen & Tian 2012)• Team/group: to share & transfer values that promote collective strength and

synergy

University Culture required by AUN-QA

• “Senior Leaders foster institutional culture including a set of values to align with the vision and mission of the institution. The culture and values promote desirable behaviors of leaders and employees to achieve the strategic goals of the institution” (AUN-QA 2016:19).

• The AUN-QA guidelines give the definition of the HEI culture in the explanation as follows: Culture can be defined as shared values, beliefs, norms and behaviors of a group of people. These three elements should be aligned and provided direction for strategic planning and formulation of strategic goals and policies of the institution (AUN-QA 2016:20).

2- Creativity and teamwork as important core values of HEIs in the 21st century The case studies of some Japanese universities2.1. Creativity in higher education2.2. Teamwork in higher education

Creativity in Japanese higher education

• Embedding Liberal arts subjects into engineering curricula• the new subject of Daily Life, which was intended to allow more

integrated, experiential, and exploratory learning• High Uncertainty Avoidance & attitude to risks• IMS: Think at least one idea each day. Write it down immediately. Then

talk to your neighbors, like your colleague, friends and family• PBL or Problem-based/Project-based learning which can help promote

the creativity and critical thinking for learners• Active learning (AL)

Teamwork in Japanese higher education

• The values of independence and interdependence• Not only Japanese companies but also Japanese HEIs integrate

building group skills, leadership & human skills into the training curricula, especially engineering programs

• Interprofessional Education Program/Learning/Work in healthprofessional disciplines (University of Tsukuba, Kobe University, Gunma University, Saitama Prefectural University, Jikei University School of Medicine, Kitasato University…)

Interprofessional Education Program• Teamwork training courses and programs with small-groups discussions• Fostering students’ collaborative skills• Community-based learning, group work learning, team-based learning…• Simulated interprofessional training, teamwork clinical training • The values of effectiveness, trust and politeness in groupwork activities• Topics “participation in group work,” “perspectives on a team,” and

questions regarding “communicating efficiently so as to convey own thoughts” and “listening to other members’ opinions.”

• Work in multidisciplinary teams, establishing collaborative thinking and behavior for effective teamwork

• Team-Based Medical exercises/Education Program

Some recommendations for embedding creativity & teamwork in Vietnamese HE• Creativity and teamwork should be core values or educational philosophies

of the Vietnamese HEIs in the globalized era;

• In curriculum design and development, creativity and teamwork should be translated into the expected learning outcomes;

• Various teaching and learning activities, methods and techniques can be applied to help students develop their awareness and gain these skills;

• Roleplay, task-based learning, Problem-based learning, project-based learning, group-based learning, service learning, simulation of teamwork at the workplace… should be encouraged;

Some recommendations (cont.)• Academic advising and tutoring, mentoring, peer-advising should

accompany students activities;• Students should be well equipped with Leadership skills and

principles of groupwork/teamwork;• Inquiry and critical thinking can be developed through the guided

questions and web-based, community-based learning which also promote lifelong learning;

• Rubrics should be designed for assessing teamwork professional activities, VALUE rubrics can be applied.

Conclusion

PBL

Thank you very much for your attention!