The history of Dong A University, Danang City can be traced to its beginnings as Dong A Vocational School established on January 28, 2002 according to Decision No. 12/2002/QĐ-UB of Da Nang City. In that same year, a sister school, Cao Thang - Quang Nam Industrial & Technical School was established according to Decision No. 36/2002/QĐ-UB of Quang Nam Province. On May 1, 2005, Cao Thang - Quang Nam Industrial & Technical School was renamed to be Dong A - Quang Nam Industrial & Technical School according to Decision No. 05/QĐ-UB of Quang Nam Province.
Dong A Vocational School in Da Nang City was then promoted to be Dong A College according to Decision No. 5844/QĐ-BGDĐT of the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam in October 2006. In June 2007, Dong A - Quang Nam Industrial & Technical School was promoted to be Dong A - Quang Nam College according to Decision No. 7228/QĐ-BGDĐT of the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam. This decision clearly established the link between the two institutions and reflected the fact that the president of both was Mrs. Nguyen Thi Anh Dao, M.Ed.
The next milestone in the growth of the University occurred on May 21, 2009 when Dong A College was promoted to be Dong A University according to Decision No. 644/QĐ-TTg of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.
Dong A University is one of the three private universities in Da Nang City. The existing campus in Da Nang City has the following facilities: 60 classrooms, 3 lecture halls, 1 conference hall, 1 library, 4 engineering labs, 1 computer lab with 400 computers, a hospitality training center as well as a canteen and is equipped with full wireless access. The Quang Nam campus has 32 classrooms, 2 computer labs, 5 engineering labs and 1 library.
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UDA (University of Dong A) offers bachelor degree programs in Electro-Electrical Engineering, Business Administration and Accounting. Associated degree programs (3 years) are also offered in Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Applied Information Technology, Information System for Management as well as four other areas in business related fields. Moreover, two-year diploma programs in Civil and Industrial Construction Works, Civil and Industrial Electrical Works, Accounting, Applied Information Technology, Office Secretary, Tourism and Hospitality are available to students. Through articulation agreements with the University of Da Nang and the University of Hue, students have the opportunity to complete their degrees through collaborative programs with the University of Danang and the University of Hue.
There are approximately 7000 students at the Da Nang campus by day and more than 2000 students studying at night. At the Quang Nam campus, there are more than 1800 students. The total enrollment is more than 10000 students.
Dong A University is committed to offering relevant degrees to its students at an affordable cost. Besides developing well-trained workers, Dong A is also responsible for instilling in its students a strong working ethic and a highly developed sense of social responsibility. Dong A University is dedicated to the success of its students and committed to provide the domestic industry qualified and highly trained employees. Dong A University also assists its student to seek for employment after graduation by creating the network and minimize the gap between the prospect employers and the future graduates.
The prevailing philosophy at Dong A University is that the student comes first. We are committed to preparing the next generation of leaders in Vietnam. To this end, the administration and faculty at Dong A University are constantly striving to improve their teaching methodology, engage in many development activities and employ the latest in technology in the classrooms. The initiative beginning in January 2011 to provide training opportunities for all faculty and staff to learn English and then provide intensive training for students illustrates the fore sight of the administration in trying to equip their students with skills that are necessary for success in an international environment.
Beside this initiative, other notable activities involve developing collaborative programs with universities outside as well as inside Vietnam.
Dong A University has signed agreements for cooperation with many foreign entities including: California State University, San Bernardino, Humboldt State University and East Los Angeles College in the United States. The Human Resource Institution from Japan offers a Japan Management Course at the Danang Campus. CWG Consulting Pte.Ltd. from Singapore is actively involved in conducting training programs with Dong A University. Kelkel Global Education and Training from Australia is also involved with UDA in offering training courses. Recently, the university has signed Memorandums of Understanding with Can Tho University of Vietnam, University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis, France, Kempten University of Applied Sciences, Germany and Pannasastra University of Cambodia. Activities that will be carried out through these agreements range from joint degree programs, faculty and student exchange to joint research projects. These agreements are all action oriented and designed to offer Dong A University students and faculty opportunities to expand their educational and professional experiences. As Dong A University grows and matures, the administration is committed to seeking out and providing opportunities for the students to benefit from interaction with a wider range of professionals.
Dong A University promotes educational cooperation with ELAC
Dong A University has also introduced a novel approach to provide students with the opportunity to put their classroom learning to use by establishing the USE model (University-Enterprise-Students). The University has set up independent companies which will in turn be sites for students to engage in applying what they have learned in practical, real-life situations while earning income to support their study expenses. These sites can also be served as laboratories for faculty to do their research and development activities. A side benefit is providing a quality service to the community. The following are the companies attached to the USE model:
- UNIFA Co., Ltd. operates in the field of manufacturing.
- UNICON Co., Ltd. operates in the field of construction.
- UNISOFT Co., Ltd. operates in the field of software, IT solutions.
- UNILAW Co., Ltd. operates in the field of law services.
- UNITRAVEL Co., Ltd. operates in field of tourism and hospitality.
In an effort to systematically improve the quality of teaching and Learning at Dong A University, the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) was established in September, 2010. The center’s purposes include: organizing weekly workshops on teaching and learning methods for Dong A University faculty, establishing educational programs that meet international standards, helping to develop English proficiency across the campus community, developing language laboratories and English speaking clubs, upgrading the skill sets of local kindergarten teachers, developing research projects with the Office of Scientific Research with a focus on Moral Development of students in Danang.
The University is in the process of developing an Advanced Education Program in the disciplines of Accounting, Business Administration, Engineering and Technology, Computer Systems and Information Management, Public Relations. The purposes of this program are: the revision of curriculum modeled after principles established by universities in the United states of America, use of English as a medium of instruction including text books and supplemental materials, employ active learning strategies, integrate local and overseas faculty in the teaching programs, develop meaningful and systematic assessment for program evaluation and develop matrices and course articulation to enable transfer programs with oversea institutions for students.
ONTRACK International Vietnam Joint Stock Company is a joint collaborative venture between Dong A University and CWG Consulting of Singapore. Its purpose is to work in partnership with both public and private organizations to meet their training, organizational development and performance management requirements. ONTRACK will conduct public seminars, in-company workshops and across a wide range of issues including supervisory management, leadership, team building and leading, finance customer service and office, communication and interpersonal skills. ONTRACK will also provide assistance and training to Dong A University community. Examples of such activities include participating in recruiting activities, collecting sweaters for poor people, conducting contests for Best Team Leader, Public Speaking, Future Employees and related activities. Dong A University are known for their public service projects such as raising money for flood relief, donating blood, cleaning the beaches, visiting orphanages and helping blind people. These activities build a sense of self pride and moral responsibility in Dong A University students. It is also very important that these activities are operated, managed and developed by the students with supports and encouragement from the school administration.
In the short time that Dong A has made a tremendous progress. However, the leadership at Dong A University never looks back and feels satisfied but rather looks ahead and asks how and what can we do to ensure that the future graduates of Dong A are ready to assume leadership roles. The following activities are indications of its vision: the building of a state of the art campus equipped to handle 15000 students will begin in early 2011 with completing expected before summer 2012, the continued establishment of collaborative programs both internationally and regionally, the opening of a an international school (primary and secondary), the development of an international university program taught in English and designed to meet international standards.
Dong A University celebrates its past but looks to its future where it will be recognized for addressing vital needs in Vietnam, developing the future leaders of Vietnam and creating innovative educational programs.