National Workshop on “Creativity in Applied Fine Arts Education” at Nguyen Tat Thanh University

NTTU – On November 10, 2023, at the Nguyen Tat Thanh University’s campus located at 300A Nguyen Tat Thanh, Ward 13, District 4, the university collaborated with the Club of Applied Fine Arts Training Institutions, part of the Association of Vietnamese Universities and Colleges, to organize the National Workshop on “Creativity in Applied Fine Arts Education”. This marks the first time the workshop is held at Nguyen Tat Thanh University and the 6th workshop organized by the Applied Fine Arts Training Institutions Club.

The workshop serves as a forum for experts, artists, and fine arts educators from universities and colleges across Vietnam to discuss academic matters, scientific research, and issues related to artistic creativity and applied fine arts education. The workshop acts as an information source for the Association of Vietnamese Universities and Colleges to report to the National Assembly, Government, Ministries, and Sectors, contributing to the formulation of specific mechanisms and policies for the field of Applied Fine Arts. Additionally, the workshop contributes to the general discourse on improving quality in the management, training, scientific research, and innovative creativity.

The organizing committee cuts the ribbon to inaugurate the exhibition of outstanding graduation projects displayed at Nguyen Tat Thanh University.

The workshop was attended by Mr. Pham Ngoc Lan, Head of the Member Affairs Committee, Association of Vietnamese Universities and Colleges; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Mai Anh, Head of the Club of Applied Fine Arts Training Institutions; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Lenh Hung Tu, President of the Vietnamese Film Association; Mr. Ho Tan Duong, President of the Ho Chi Minh City Design Association – VDAS, along with leaders and lecturers from 26 universities and colleges nationwide as members of the Club of Applied Fine Arts Training Institutions, part of the Association of Vietnamese Universities and Colleges.

Nguyen Tat Thanh University was represented by Dr. Tran Ai Cam, President; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hanh Nguyen, Head of the Creative Design Department and Head of the organizing committee; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bach Long Giang, Head of the Science and Technology Department, along with leaders and representatives from various departments, lecturers, and students in the fields of arts, architecture, and creative design.

Overview of the National Workshop on “Creativity in Applied Fine Arts Education”

In her speech at the workshop, Dr. Tran Ai Cam, the President of Nguyen Tat Thanh University, stated that “The workshop and the exhibition are of significant importance because in the current context, the development of artificial intelligence, globalization, and the blurring of cultural boundaries are having an increasing impact on the core values and traditions.” Dr. Tran Ai Cam also shared the achievements of the university when it was recently ranked by Quacquarelli Symonds Education Organization, United Kingdom, in the QS Asia University Rankings 2024. Nguyen Tat Thanh University, for the first time, was ranked in the QS Asia Rankings with an impressive position ranging from 291-300 in Asia, 60th in the Southeast Asian region, and top 5 in Vietnam.

Dr. Tran Ai Cam, President of Nguyen Tat Thanh University, speaking at the workshop

During the workshop, participants discussed key topics, including training issues in the field of applied fine arts at universities and colleges in the current context (regarding mechanisms, specific policies for the specialized field, issues of quality in enrollment for the applied fine arts sector, etc.); improving quality in the areas of management, training, scientific research, and innovation of the field; training collaboration and entrepreneurship in the field of Applied Fine Arts.

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Mai Anh, Head of the Club of Applied Fine Arts Training Institutions, this was the 7th time the club had organized a workshop, marking another successful professional activity of the club. Prof. Dr. Dang Mai Anh hoped that in the coming years, the club will have more extensive activities in professional training to promote the training of applied fine arts nationwide.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Mai Anh, Head of the Club of Applied Fine Arts Training Institutions, giving the opening speech

During the opening session of the workshop, participants heard presentations from invited speakers. Nguyen Tri Phuong Dong, a fashion designer, talked about “Design Awareness – Solutions to Overcome 8 Weaknesses of Vietnamese Art Design Students”, while Architect cum Designer Do Cao Nguyen presented “Can you see it? Can you feel it?”. Sharing his perspective during the workshop, Nguyen Tri Phuong Dong pointed out that the current weaknesses of Vietnamese Applied Fine Arts students often lie in the lack of new ideas and problem-solving abilities. They struggle to approach challenges in design, lack readiness to research and explore, have poor self-learning capabilities, and fear change and testing new ideas. According to this designer, the inefficient learning and design methods of Applied Fine Arts students are due to a lack of fundamental design principles, lack of freshness or diversity in ideas, lack of intent in design organization, excessive focus on form, neglect of function, and a lack of receptiveness to feedback from others.

Presentation of the invited guest speakers

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hanh Nguyen, Head of the Creative Design Department, Head of the organizing committee

Following the presentation sessions, participants engaged in lively discussions at the workshop venue. In the afternoon, the workshop divided into subcommittees to report on presentations and discuss topics by each field or specialty group which are Interior Design, Graphic Design, Fashion Design, Industrial Form Design, and Traditional Fine Arts Design on the current situation and solutions to improve quality in the management and training of applied fine arts disciplines.

Participants discussing at the workshop

The workshop received 71 dedicating articles of 26 units from applied fine arts training institutions, along with an exhibition of outstanding students’ graduation projects from 13 member universities. These projects spanned various disciplines, including graphic design, interior design, fashion design, industrial form design, sculpture, ceramics, lacquerware, and decorative carpet toys. The organizing committee established an Editorial Board, a Review Council, and selected 71 papers by 81 authors for publication in the workshop proceedings.

The organizing committee presenting certificates to club members

Within the framework of this workshop, an exhibition of outstanding graduation projects in the field of Applied Fine Arts from students of 26 universities and colleges in the club took place. 36 outstanding graduation projects brought a diverse and enriching aspect to the workshop. The best graduation projects for each category were selected and awarded at the workshop.

Participants visit the exhibition booths showcasing outstanding graduation projects

Phuong Nguyen 
Photos: Media