From 19-21 May 2022, Faculty of Economics organized an internship for 27 students of the 18th high-quality Economics and Public Management class in Phu Quoc. The internship had the participation of MA. Dinh Hoang Tuong Vi, the Academic Advisor for the K18403C group.
Following a three-day immersion on Phu Quoc Pearl Island in Kien Giang province, the group proceeded to visit and engage in practical activities at Ngoc Hien Pearl Company Limited, which holds the distinction of being the pioneer in pearl cultivation on the island. Ngoc Hien Pearl Company Limited has been involved in development for over 20 years. It is reputed to be the company with the largest pearl farming operation on Phu Quoc island, encompassing an area of nearly 500 hectares of sea surface. The company harvests an average of about 500,000 mussels per year. The group had the chance to learn about Ngoc Hien's entire product line, from pearl production to the chain of culture that the company is processing.
The group went to the Hong Duc 1 fish sauce barrel house of Hong Duc fish sauce manufacturing company.
The students learned about the traditional steps involved in making fish sauce, such as selecting the wood for the barrels, fixing the barrel with rattan, choosing the anchovies after they are caught and preserving the delicious, low-impurity salt produced in Ba Ria - Vung Tau for more than two months before using it to make fish sauce. The students also shared the fact that the Hong Duc fish sauce brand has been awarded a geographical origin protection certificate by the European Commission. This certificate designates it as a protected product within the markets of EU countries.
The contents of the exchange bring a lot of practical knowledge to students for their start-up intentions.
The group had the chance to visit and learn about the cultural history of Phu Quoc at places including Truc Lam Ho Quoc Zen Monastery, Dinh Cau, Phu Quoc prison, learn about resorts in Phu Quoc: Bai Sao, Grand World, Hon Thom Aquatopia Water Park.
The internship program not only improves the level of collaboration between business and university. The internship program offers several benefits to students, including the chance to learn how a firm operates, present a report summarizing the events, and build soft skills such as communication, skills in coordination, management, organization, and communication.
Some images of the trip:
