Advanced Knowledge Management Training Course in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

This advanced training course was organized by the Center for Development Research (ZEF) and the Southern Institute of Sustainable Development (SISD), formerly the Southern Institute of Social Sciences. The workshop took place from January 5-7 2009 at SISD premises in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

This advanced training course was organized by the Center for Development Research (ZEF) and the Southern Institute of Sustainable Development (SISD), formerly the Southern Institute of Social Sciences. The workshop took place from January 5-7 2009 at SISD premises in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. 20 Vietnamese participants attended the advanced knowledge management training course as representatives of the WISDOM partners, namely the Southern Region Hydro-Meteorological Center, the University of Information Technology, the Can Tho University, the Southern Institute of Sustainable Development, and the Southern Institute of Water Resources Research.

In June 2008 the first knowledge management training course had been taken place successfully. The 5-days module this time comprised a “Training of Trainers” workshop (2 days) with selected staff from the Can Tho University and the Southern Institute of Sustainable Development who learned how to structure and organize a knowledge management training course in Vietnam, and an advanced-level knowledge management training course (3 days). After having imparted the comprehensive theoretical background on knowledge as a critical factor for development in June 2008, this workshop aimed at further respective capacity building within the WISDOM project and was led again by Prof. Dr. Hans-Dieter Evers.

Figure 1: Prof. Dr. Evers helds knowledge management training course.

The first day of the workshop focused on the importance of the creation and usage of information systems as a knowledge management tool to enhance knowledge sharing among organizations. In the afternoon, Dr. Steffen Gebhardt from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) was invited to demonstrate the WISDOM information system and discussed the role and future functioning of this information system with the participants.

On the second day Prof. Dr. Thomas Menkhoff from the Singapore Management University (SMU) joined the training course as a guest lecturer and expert of knowledge management in Southeast Asia. During an interactive exercise, the participants of each organization identified key problems and risks for the Vietnamese research community in terms of knowledge sharing. Under the supervision of two knowledge management experts, Prof. Dr. Hans-Dieter Evers and Prof. Dr. Thomans Menkhoff, they had the chance to elaborate knowledge management strategies for their organizations and finally came up with innovative solutions to enhance knowledge sharing within their organizations in order to conduct research more efficiently and therefore to contribute to the development of the Vietnamese knowledge society.

Figure 2 - left side: Dr. Gebhardt from DLR demonstrating the information system, right side: Dr. Menkhoff from Singapore Management University teaching.

After two and a half days of lecturing and active sharing of knowledge, the training course closed with a field visit to the German company Mercedes Benz Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City. The director of the technology division welcomed the group and gave an insight into the strategic planning of his company which highly values knowledge transfer as the main factor for the company’s success. The participants had the opportunity to visit the assemble plants of Mercedes Benz and see the manufacturing of a product representing the implementation of an innovative knowledge culture performed by a German company.

Figure 3: Field visit at the German company Mercedes Benz Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City.

The training course was well received by all Vietnamese participants. They acknowledged the need of exchanging information, experiences and skills as well as the integration of knowledge management in their respective organization in order to ensure Vietnam’s growth and development. Closing with the words of Prof. Dr. Hans-Dieter Evers: “This course was not only a training course but also a course of knowledge sharing in which, thanks to all contributions, the participants as well as the trainers learned a lot from each other”.

Figure 4: Group picture from the Advanced Knowledge Management Training Course in Ho Chi Minh City.