On June 18, 2025, Vinh University of Technology Education (VUTED) held its second Capacity Building Workshop for lecturers and student support staff, as part of a series of activities under the MentalHigh project – “Building Mental Health Capacity at Higher Education Institutes in Southeast Asia”, implemented by VUTED and funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ Programme.
Group photo of all participants at the Capacity Building Workshop held at VUTED
The workshop brought together 10 lecturers and support staff from various departments. The event was organized by the MentalHigh research team at VUTED and facilitated by Ms. Pham Thi Ngoc Lan, Head of the research team. It provided an open and sincere space where participants could share their concerns and practical experiences in supporting students’ well-being.
Overview of the workshop – open discussions and attentive listening
During the workshop, participants reflected on common signs of student stress such as anxiety, fatigue, lack of motivation, poor academic performance, and uncertainty about career paths. Many students, they observed, struggle to adjust to new learning environments, the credit-based system, and external pressures such as financial hardship, part-time jobs, and overexposure to social media.
It was also noted that students often lack safe spaces and trusted people to turn to when facing difficulties. The role of academic advisors has yet to reach its full potential, and student connections with faculty and peers remain limited. These factors contribute to a sense of isolation and prolonged stress.
Lecturers and support staff sharing their experiences and perspectives at the workshop
The workshop concluded with practical proposals, including offering training on stress management for both staff and students, establishing an on-campus mental health counseling center, and providing accessible support channels. Enhancing the role and capacity of academic advisors, promoting extracurricular and peer-support activities such as clubs, talk shows, and learning groups were also emphasized. Some participants suggested adjusting course content to better align with students’ abilities and the specific context of technical education.
This workshop not only marked another technical activity within the MentalHigh project at VUTED, but also served as an important step toward building the capacity of educators and support staff in understanding and accompanying students in mental health matters, contributing to a more empathetic and student-centered university environment.
Written by:
Cao Thi Huong – Department of Science and International Cooperation