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06/12/2017

From left to right: Hannelore De Greve (Lecturer, KdG, Antwerp), Bart De Waele (General Director, VVOB, Brussels), Ngô Thị Tuyết Nhung (Teacher, Ba Dinh preschool, Ba To District, Quang Ngai), Herman Coene (Lecturer, KdG, Antwerp), Bùi Thị Nhuận (Principal, Ba Dinh preschool, Ba To District, Quang Ngai province)

* KdG = Karel de Grote University College

Karel de Grote University College (KdG), long term structural partner of VVOB, came for the 5th time over 4 years to VVOB Vietnam in October. KdG contributes to strengthening the capacities of the Departments of Education and Training in Kon Tum, Quang Nam and Quang Ngai by providing expertise on process-oriented child monitoring system, the heart of the 2017-2021 programme.

This week (21-28 October 2017), VVOB and KdG exchanged ideas on how to guide teachers to a reflective practice. After observing classes in preschools of Ba To and Tra Bong districts (Quang Ngai province), they discussed with the teachers about the difficulties they face in their daily work and how using child observation can help them. This trip was also an opportunity to reflect upon their partnership so far.

When did the collaboration between KdG and VVOB start?

Hannelore De Greve (KdG): The first contacts between VVOB and KdG were in 2004, when KdG was looking for partners to organize internships for their students. The structural partnership really started in 2013 when a VVOB delegation (VVOB Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe) came to KdG to learn about active and experiential learning and child observation.

Filip Lenaerts (VVOB): KdG then came to Vietnam to get to know the context and the system. From then, VVOB started to introduce the Child Monitoring system in Vietnam… the start of a long-term collaboration!

What contributions does the partnership bring to each of you?

Filip Lenaerts (VVOB): KdG is a very interesting partner for us because they come with their specific expertise and a fresh pair of eyes. It really helps to come up with concrete solutions to the challenges that we meet with our partners.

Hannelore De Greve (KdG): Our expertise grows thanks to our experience in a context that is so different from Flanders. We are happy to have this opportunity and to take part to an international learning community. That is very important to us.

Both: This is inspirational for both of us.

What do you appreciate most in your work together in Vietnam?

Hannelore De Greve (KdG): We appreciate the open and direct communication and the mutual trust in each other’s expertise. We also really enjoy the enthusiasm of the Vietnamese partners involved… It is heartening to see that we aim towards the same goal: make a difference for Vietnamese children.

Filip Lenaerts (VVOB): Yes, with the support of KdG, building up from the existing preschool system in Vietnam, we are establishing communities that inspire each other. We can see that the system is ready to take it up… And later on, it will become inspirational for other countries of the Asia Pacific region! Additionally, our work in Vietnam has a major added value to feed the reflections on equity matters that are discussed in eNSPIRED the North programme of VVOB.