Summary of Doctoral thesis: Management of internship activities of cadets at military officers-training colleges in the direction of competence development

Based on the practical and theoretical basis on management of practicing activities of cadets at military officers-training colleges in the direction of competence development. Accordingly, the thesis proposes measures to manage practicing activities of cadets at military officers-training colleges in the direction of competence development, improving the effectiveness of management of practicing activities so as to improve the quality of education and training at military officers-training colleges.

1. Reasons to choose the topic of the thesis

Internship is a basic form of teaching with a very important position and role, contributing to the implementation of the educational principle   "Learning   coupled   with   practice,   education   combined   with working   and   production,   theory   attached   with   practice”   [49,   p.1]. Internship activities help cadets reinforce supplement and develop their knowledge,   professional   skills;   political   qualities,   ethics,   lifestyles, motivation, love of career according to objectives and requirements of training. Management of cadet’s internship activities is a basic content of educational management, helping the military officers­training colleges 

to self­check and evaluate their training outcomes, thereby adjusting the training programs and contents to meet the requirements of building military in each revolutionary period. 

At   present,  management   of   internship   activities   of   cadets   in general and of cadets at military officers­training colleges in particular according to the orientation of competence development  has become a basic   and   urgent   requirement   to   successfully   implement   the   Party’s viewpoint   and   policies   in   educational   reforms   and   requirements   and tasks of building the Army and protecting the Fatherland in the new situation. However, until now, research on management of internship activities of cadets at military officers­training colleges in the direction 

of competence development is still a gap of theory and practice. 

       In   theory,  although   there   have   been   many   researches   on 

internship activities, management of internship activities of cadets, they are mainly based on the traditional approach. In recent years, there have been  some   approaches  according  to  modern  teaching  and  management theories such as: managing by objectives, by content; by functions, by synchronized quality approach  Some works following the above research directions have pointed out the output standards, professional standards and how  to  organize   and   manage  internship   activities   to   form   cadets   with standards of knowledge, techniques, motives, attitudes to meet  training objectives   and   requirements   But   no   work   has   studied   intensively   and systematically   on   management   of   internship   activities   of   cadets   in   the direction of competence development. In particular, there is no work on management of internship activities of cadets at military officers­training colleges in the direction of competence development to perform the duties 

at   military   officers­training   colleges   in   the   direction   of   competence development is really an issue that needs to be clarified. 

In practice, though, there have been innovations, but the quality 

of management of internship activities of cadets at military officers­training colleges still has limitations and inadequacies such as: inadequate awareness; unrealistic determination of objectives and contents of the Curriculum; short practice   time;   simple   check   and   evaluation,   low   reliability,   favouring encouragement As a result, when graduating from the university, there are still   cadets   who   are   currently   not   performing  their   tasks   and   duties effectively. The above situation raises the requirement of management 

of internship activities of cadets at military officers­training colleges in the direction of competence development. 

From   the   above   reasons,   the   study   "Management   of   internship  activities  of cadets at  military  officers­training  colleges in  the  direction  of   competence development" is a matter of practical and theoretical significance.

2. Purposes and tasks of the research 

* Purposes of the research

Based on the practical and theoretical basis on management of practicing activities of cadets at military officers­training colleges in the direction   of   competence   development   Accordingly,   the   thesis   proposes measures to manage practicing activities of cadets at military officers­training colleges   in   the   direction   of   competence   development,   improving   the effectiveness of management of practicing activities so as to improve the quality of education and training at military officers­training colleges

* Tasks of the research

The dissertation gives an overview of the research related to the dissertation topic and identifies issues need addressing in the thesis

The dissertation clarifies basic theoretical issues on management of practicing activities of cadets at military officers­training colleges in the direction of competence development

The   dissertation   clarifies   practical   issues   on   management   of practicing activities of cadets at military officers­training colleges

The   dissertation   proposes   some   basic   solutions   to  manage practicing activities of cadets at military officers­training colleges in the direction of competence development

The dissertation tests the necessity and feasibility of the proposed solutions and experiments one of them

In terms of object:  Managers, teachers, officials and cadets with 

practicing activities of graduation at military officers­training colleges

In   terms   of   survey   area:  Some    military   officers­training 

colleges   and   units   in   the   North:   Political   Military   Officers­Training College,   Army   Number   1   Officers­Training   College,   Commando Military Officers­Training College; some units where cadets practicing 

of management with functional assessing combined with management assessing   in   managing   practicing   activities   in   the   direction   of competence   development  are   proposed,   then   it   will   contribute   to improve the quality of education, meeting the army’s demands and tasks 

in the new situation

4. Methodology and research method

of the materialist dialectics of Marxist­Leninist philosophy and Ho Chi Minh’s thoughts and the  Communist  Party  of  Vietnam’s view  on education and training.  At   the   same   time,   it   bases   on   research   method   of   education management and different ways of accessing, typically: the system­structure, history ­ logics; approach to functions and approach to the standard outcome

  The   dissertation   evaluates   and   analyses   the   actual   situation, identifying the causes of achievements and limitations if the reality of practising activities and management of practising activities of cadets at military   officers­training   colleges   in   the   orientation   of   competence development today

The dissertation combines different ways to clarify the theoretical frame of the thesis. On management of practising activities of cadets in the   orientation   of   competence   development,   the   thesis   combines   the access of management function (mainly) with management access.The   dissertation   proposes   5   solutions   to   manage   practising activities of cadets at military officers­training colleges in the orientation 

of   competence   development  The   experimental   results  show  that   the proposed measures are necessary and highly feasible

6. Theoretical and practical significance of the research

6.1. Theoretical significance

The findings of the dissertation contribute to the development of research on education management, practising activities and management 

of practising activities of cadets at military officers­training colleges in the orientation of competence development; proposing a system of practical and feasible solutions to improve the effectiveness of practising activities 

of  cadets   at   military   officers­training   colleges   in   the   orientation   of 

6.2. Practical significance

The thesis provides scientific arguments for leaders, commanders, especially the managing officials, teachers and cadets at military officers­training colleges to apply into managing practising activities of cadets in the direction of competence development. Accordingly, it contributes to improve the quality of training army officers and it can be used as references for officials, teachers and cadets at military officers­training colleges in teaching, researching and organizing management of practising activities

7. Structure of the thesis 

The   thesis   includes:   Introduction,   4   chapters   (14   periods), conclusions,   list   of   scientific   works   of   the   author   related   to   the dissertation, list of references and Appendices

Chapter 1OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH SITUATION

RELATED TO THESIS TOPIC1.1. The works related to the thesis topic

  1.1.1. The works related to practising activates

There are some scientific works on the content and program of practising activities, skills of practising for students before their apprentice 

in   Soviet   Union   and   some   West   European   countries,   typical   authors: Gutsev,   Ivanov,   Socolov,   O.A.Abdoullina (Soviet   Union); N.M.Iacovalev,   Iu.K.Babansky (Democratic   Republic   of   Germany); C.Denhec, F.Januskiewiez  (Poland)

In America and Western countries, there are a number of works training­program   transformation,  from   theory   preparation   to   practice, 

typical model:  “Professional Development School”;  the works of the 

fund Carnegie, Annenberg and Ford in America (2001) conclude “The programs of pedagogical practice need to focus on practice, apprentice and model”. Students of California University ­ Davis in America along with secondary school teachers conduct practising activities before the school year: “Learning how to organize the class, preparing the teaching plan and meeting students on the very first day of the school year”. 

Typical works in Vietnam: “Pedagogical practice” by Nguyen  Dinh Chinh (1991);  “Pedagogical visiting and practice”  by   Nguyen 

Dinh Chinh and Pham Trung Thanh (1998);:  “Nurturing capacity of  practising party work, political work of political officials­training cadets 

at section level at Military Political Academy in the current period” by  Nguyen Chinh Ly (2006); “Solutions to improve the quality of practising  

at   local   units   for   political   instructors­training   cadets   at   Military   Officers­Training College”   ̣ by  Trinh Xuan Loc (2010);  “Training the  skill of teaching for pedagogic students in the flexible assess in teaching   practice’’  by Nguyen Thi Nhan (2015);  “Developing career adapting  skill   through   practice   for   students   of   technical   college”  by   Nguyen 

Thanh Long (2017)

These   works   emphasize   the   role   of   practising   activities   in consolidating knowledge, forming skills for students and cadets. However, there   have   been   no   works   thoroughly   research   on   forming   necessary competence   for   cadets,   students   in   organizing   practising   activities. Notably, in military officers­training colleges, there have been no works 

on practising activities and management of practising activities in the direction of competence development

1.1.2   The   works   related   to   training   and   management   of   practising activities in competence access 

Competency­based training has been applied in America in the field of career training since the 1970s ­ 1980s and has become a popular model in education and then spread to Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Germany, etc. In the end of the 20th century, competency­based training   has   become   a   popular   trend   in   the   world   In   the   book 

In   our   country,   researches   on   training   in   the   direction   of competence development first appeared in the field of career training, 

typical:  “Teaching in the direction of competence access in technical  pedagogic   universities”  (2012)   by  Cao   Danh   Chinh,  “Management   of  competence   training   for   construction   technical   careers   in   construction  colleges” (2014) by Dao Viet Ha; “Developing the teaching staff of technical  pedagogic universities the direction of competence access” (2016) by Nguyen 

The Dan;  “Organizing seminars in teaching pedagogics in universities in  competence access” (2014) by Nguyen Thi Bich Lien.

There are some typical works on management of practising activities   in   the   direction   of   competence   access:   My   Giang   Son, 

“Management of pedagogical practice in training secondary school   teachers   in   the   orientation   of   career   standard   of   secondary   school   teachers”  (2014);  Do  Thi   Thu   Hang  “Management   of   practising  activities of students of education management in accordance with the   standard outcome”  (2017); Do Van Hieu,  “Management of students’  graduation  practising  activities  at People’s Security  Academy  in  the   assess of CIPO” (2017).

1.2  Brief overview of research findings of published works   and issues for the thesis to deal with. 

1.2.1 Brief overview of research findings of published works Firstly, many authors in the world and in the country have been 

interested in studying issues related to internship activities with many different approaches. The works all emphasize the position and role of the internship activities in strengthening and supplementing knowledge for students and trainees, contributing to improving the training quality 

Thirdly,  in our country, regarding to study on management of 

internship   activities   of   students   in   the   direction   of   competence development, there are a number of works and dissertations in different directions   They   are   works   that   are   directly   related,   contributing   to providing theoretical and practical basis for the process of deployment and research of the thesis

Fourthly,  there   is   no   research   on  management   of   internship 

activities of cadets at military officers­training colleges in the direction 

of competence development to perform the responsibilities and duties of officers, leaders and commanders in the Military units after graduation

Firstly,  clarify   the   objective   requirements   and   practical 

significance   of   the   need   to   transfer   the   management   of   internship activities of cadets at military officers­training colleges from the old form and content with too general targets, monotonous contents, general inspection   and   evaluation     to   manage   internship   activities   in   the direction of competence development. 

Secondly,  continue  researching  to  supplement   and clarify   the 

concepts of tools related to internship and management of internship activities of cadets at military officers­training colleges; determine the content and specify the factors that affect the management of internship activities of cadets at military officers­training colleges in the direction 

of competence development

Thirdly, be based on the objectives and training requirements 

of  military officers­training colleges; provisions of the Ordinance on management   of   the   army;   practical   implementation   of   the responsibilities and tasks assigned after graduation to determine the standard   of   output   capacity   and   contents   of   the   orientation   of competence development of cadets at military officers­training colleges 

as a  basis for  managing and  evaluating  the    internship activities of cadets   at   military   officers­training   colleges   in   the   direction   of competence development. 

Fourthly, in order to improve the quality of internship activities 

and management of internship activities of cadets at military officers­training   colleges   in   the   direction   of   competence   development,   the dissertation must propose, analyse and clarify the system of measures for management   of   internship   activities   and   management   of   internship activities of cadets at military officers­training colleges in the direction 

of competence development

In the current trend of educational innovation today, it requires the management of internship activities of cadets at military officers­training   colleges   to   be   renewed   according   to   modern   approaches. Therefore, the  study clarifies the theoretical and practical basis and proposes measures to manage internship activities of cadets at military officers­training colleges in the direction of competence development as 

an urgent issue both in theory and practice.  From  the successes of relevant   research   projects   and   scientific   issues   that   have   not   been resolved   thoroughly,   the   author   receives   and   determines   new directions in the thesis development process. 

 Chapter 2RATIONALE OF MANAGEMENT OF INTERNSHIP ACTIVITIES OF CADETS AT MILITARY OFFICERS­TRAINING COLLEGES IN THE DIRECTION OF 

COMPETENCE DEVELOPMENT2.1. Theoretical issues of internship activities of cadets at military   officers­training   colleges   in   the   direction   of   competence development

2.1.1. Internship and internship activities of cadets in military  officers­training schools

*   Internship   is   content,   an   important   stage   of   the   training   program,   helping   learners   manipulates   the   knowledge,   skills   and   attitudes that have been accumulated in the learning process to solve the   situation according to their authority and tasks to be assigned after   graduation   to   strengthen,   supplement,   and   improve   the   quality   and   professional capacity according to training objectives and requirements.

Internship is content, a stage in the training program ranked after the lectures. It is a planned activity with defined content, program and   time   With   internship   activities,   learners   conduct   activities according   to   responsibilities   and   tasks   they   will   undertake   after graduation, under the direction and of faculty and instructors

* Internship activities of cadets at military officers­training colleges Internship   activities   of   cadets   at   military   officers­training   colleges  are a positive and purposeful process of learners in order to  

apply the knowledge, skills, attitudes and personality qualities that are   formed during the training process in solving tasks according to their   responsibilities and tasks assigned in the grassroots units, under the   guidance and help of teachers and managers at schools and grassroots   units   to   develop   the   qualities   and  capabilities   according   to   training   objectives and requirement.  

The   content   of  internship   activities   of   cadets   at   military officers­training colleges  is the work of the platoon leader, political officers of company in the grassroots units to perform according to the assigned responsibilities and tasks stipulated in Article 14. 15, 16, 

17 "Soldier Management Ordinance". In particular, focus on a number of main contents such as: organize military education and training activities (technical, tactical activities); conduct Party and political activities in the units (education, youth union and youth activities, emulation activities, forums, seminars   );  manage  and maintain strict military discipline; organize units to improve life of soldiers; build good relationships in the units;   coordinate   with   party   committees,   local   authorities   where   the troops are stationed, etc

2.1.2. Capacity and orientation for competence development at   military officers­training colleges

*   Capacity   and   orientation   for   competence   development   in   education and training

Capacity   is   the   combination   of   the   knowledge,   skills   and   attitudes of individual responding to requirement of an activity, ensuring   that the activity achieves results according to the defined purposes.

Capacity   is   a   combined   quality   of   knowledge,   skills   and attitudes   of   individuals   associated   with   a   certain   type   of   activity. Capacity   formation   and   development   are   based   on   the   integrated development of mind, physiological factors, ensuring that individuals have profound knowledge about the field of activity that they participate in; have the skills to practice actions in accordance with the nature, characteristics, requirements and circumstances of the operation. At the same time, there is a passionate attitude, hard work, high responsibility for the operation. The organic combination of knowledge, skills and attitudes   towards   operations   will   constitute   a   capacity   to   ensure individuals quickly find ways and measures to carry out activities and ensure activities to have results consistent with the defined purpose

Competence development orientation in education and training  

is a system of purposeful and organized impacts of schools and training  

institutions to determine training objectives, programs and methods to   promote the activeness of learners in training activities to step by step   formulate and  develop themselves with capabilities corresponding to   training objectives and requirements of schools and society. 

2.1.3. Output capacity standard and competence development   orientation   in   internship   activities   of   cadets   at   military   officers­ training colleges 

*  Output   capacity   standards   of   cadets   at   military   officers­ training colleges in the direction of competence development

Based on the  charter of schools in Vietnamese People's Army;  Resolutions of the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of Defense   and the responsibilities and duties of the commanders, political commissars  and politicians stipulated in Articles 14,15,16,17, the dissertation defines 

output   capacity   standard   of   cadets   at   military   officers­training   colleges including 7 criteria: 1. Political quality, moral lifestyle; 2. Knowledge level; 

3   Capacity   to   make   plans   for   training,   educating,   commanding   and managing   soldiers   ;   4   Capacity   to   implement   training,   education   and commanding   and   management   plans;   5   Capacity   to  build   and   solve relationships during the internship; 6. Capacity to inspect and evaluate; 

7. Professional development capacity and self­evaluation

* Competence development orientation in internship activities  

of cadets at military officers­training colleges.

Based on the capacity output standard and theoretical models of comprehensive competence development; the opinions of experts and results of surveys with officials and lecturers of military officers­training colleges and key commanders in some regiments, divisions, the thesis determines that contents of internship activities of cadets in the direction 

of   competence   development   should   focus   on   comprehensive development, professional capacity; method capacity;  social  capacity, individual   capacity   and   indicate   specific   capacities   among   those capacities (total 18), meeting the assigned tasks of each type of learner according to training objectives and requirements

2.1.4   Internship   activities   of   cadets   at   military   officers­ training colleges in the direction of competence development

Internship   activities   of   cadets   at   military   officers­training   colleges in the direction of competence development are the purposeful  and organized process  of learners in order to  comprehensively apply 

knowledge,   skills   and   attitudes   collected   in   the   training   process   in   solving tasks according to their responsibilities and duties assigned in   the grassroots units, under the guidance and assistance of teachers and   managers   at   schools   and   grassroots   units   to   develop   qualities   and   capabilities according to training objectives and requirements.

To determine the basis for the process of management of internship activities of cadets in the direction of competence development, the thesis deeply analyzed and clarified purposes, subjects, objects, contents, forms, procedures,   programs,   timing,   organizational   methods   and  test   and evaluation activities in grassroots unit of learners at military officers­training colleges in the direction of competence development

2.2   Theoretical   issues   of   management   of   internship activities   of   cadets   at   military   officers­training   colleges   in   the direction of competence development

2.2.1.  The concept of  management of internship activities of  cadets   at   military   officers­training   colleges   in   the   direction   of   competence development

*   Management   of   internship   activities   of   cadets   at   military   officers­training   colleges   are   the   purposeful,   planned   and   lawful   impacts of management subjects on planning, organizing, directing and   controlling internship activities to effectively use the school's existing   resources to achieve the goal of internship activities.

*   Management   of   internship   activities   of   cadets   at   military   officers­training colleges in the direction of competence development   are   the   purposeful,   planned   and   lawful   impacts   of   the   management   subjects in order to create favorable conditions for cadets to consolidate   and   supplement   their   capacity   to   perform   assigned   tasks   and   responsibilities according to city development orientation.

Management   objective:  to   create   a   coordinated   cooperation 

between   management   subjects   and   cadets   to   create   favorable conditions   for   cadets   to   comprehensively   develop   their   capacity according to the content of capacity orientation

Management   contents:  Develop   plans   and   issue   guiding 

documents;   organize   the   implementation   of   the   plans;   direct   the participating   forces;   manage   conditions   to   ensure   that   internship activities of cadets are in the direction of competence development. 

Managing   methods:  a   combination   of   management   methods 

including:   administrative   management;   education   and   retraining; psychological preparation; motivation, encouragement and stimulation to learners

Management   conditions,   means   and   tools:  documents   of 

military   commands   and   orders;   school   regulations;   regulations   and process of organizing internship activities; the preparation for cadets and the   assurance   of   facilities   for   the   cadets'   internship   activities;   the coordination of the schools with the units of the cadets during internship

2.2.2   Contents   of   management   of   internship   activities  of  cadets   at   military   officers­training   colleges   in   the   direction   of   competence development

* Develop plans and promulgate documents to guide cadet’s   internship activities in the direction of competence development

* Organize the implementation of  internship activities in the  direction of competence development

*   Direct   the   participating   forces   to   implement   the   plan   of   cadet’s internship activities in the direction of competence development

*   Ensure   conditions   for  cadet’s  internship   activities   to   take  place in the direction of competence development. 

*  Check   and   evaluate  cadet’s  internship   activities   in   the  direction of competence development

2.3   Factors   affecting   the   management   of   internship activities   of   cadets   at   military   officers­training   colleges   in   the direction of competence development 

2.3.1. Requirement for innovating  education and training in  the direction of competence development

2.3.2. Rules and regulations on internship activities

       2.3.3. Places of internship, units of internship

2.3.4. Program and content  of training in the direction of   competence development