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

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INTRODUCTION 
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 


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and tasks of officers and military officers. Therefore, the study clarifies the 
rationale and the approach in management of internship activities of cadets 
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.


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3. Subject, object, scope and scientific hypothesis 
* Object  of the research:  Management of  training activities  at 
military   officers­training   colleges   in   the   direction   of   competence 
development.
* Subject of the research: Management of practicing activities of 
cadets   at   military   officers­training   colleges   in   the   direction   of 

competence development.
* Scope of the research
In terms of content:  The thesis researches on the practical and 
theoretical   issues   on  management   of   practicing   activities,   mainly   on 
management   of   practicing   activities   of   graduation   of   officers­training 
cadets,   tertiary   level   at   military   officers­training   colleges.   The   thesis 
proposes measures to manage practicing activities of cadets accessing to 
management function.
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 
in Military Zone 3.
In terms of time: Data and surveys are collected from 2013 to the 
present.
* Scientific hypothesis
In   the   recent   years,   management   of   practising   activities   of 
cadets   at   military   officers­training   colleges   has   obtained   certain 
achievements.   However,   the   current   management   of   practising 
activities   is   inadequate,   not   in   accordance   with   the   theoretical 
development of education management and the reality. If the measures 
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

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4.1. Methodology: The thesis is based on the thorough understanding 
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.
4.2. Research method: The thesis uses different methods: 
* Theoretical methods: Analysing, generalizing, and systemizing 
the related documents. 
*   Practical   methods:  Summing   up   experience,   observation, 
survey questionnaire, and interview and experts constancy.
* Supportive methods: Method of using statistical mathematics, 
Microsoft Xcel software and testing.
5. New contributions of the research
The dissertation builds up the theory on  practising activities and 
management of practising activities of cadets at military officers­training 
colleges in the orientation of competence development.
  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 


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competence development, contributing to improve the quality of education 
and training at military officers­training colleges.
6.2. Practical significance
The thesis provides scientific arguments for leaders, commanders, 
especially the managing officials, teachers and cadets at military officers­
training 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 1
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH SITUATION

RELATED TO THESIS TOPIC
1.1. 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 


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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 
“Competence­based Assessment Techniques”, Shirley Fletcher (1995) 
has   analysed   the   differences   in  competency­based   training   between 
Britain   and   America.   Roger   Harris,   Hugh   Guthrie,   Bary   Hobart,   and 
David   Lundberg   (1995)   published   the   book:  “Competency­based 
Education   and   Training:   Between   a   Rock   and   a   Whirlpool.   South  
Melbourne”; Thomas Deissinger and Slilke Hellwig (2011) published the 
book:  “Structures and functions of competency­ based education and  
training (CBET): a comparative perspective”.
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 


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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 
of the schools.  
Secondly, studying issues related to capacity­based training is 
currently a trend to attract the attention of countries in the world and 

in   our   country.  The   research   works  have   provided   important 
theoretical   and   practical   issues   as   a   basis   for   determining   the 
objectives,   methods   and   competence   development   of   learners   in 
management   of   internship   activities   of   students   in   the   direction   of 
competence development.
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.


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1.2.2. Issues for the thesis to deal with
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 officers­
training   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 with practicality and high feasibility.
Fifthly,  organize  tests,   testing   measures  to  manage   internship 
activities of cadets at military officers­training colleges in the direction 
of competence development to prove the theory of the thesis.
Conclusion of Chapter 1
Overview of research projects related to internship activities and 
management   of   internship   activities   has   affirmed   the   very   important 
position and role of this issue for the training of skills and competence 
development for cadets and trainees. However, until now, there has not 
been   any   works   intensively   studying   the   management   of   internship 


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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 officers­
training   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 2
RATIONALE OF MANAGEMENT OF INTERNSHIP 
ACTIVITIES OF CADETS AT MILITARY OFFICERS­
TRAINING COLLEGES IN THE DIRECTION OF 
COMPETENCE DEVELOPMENT
2.1.   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  


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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  


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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  

12
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 officers­
training 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.
Subject of management: including many forces, in particular, 
the school's Board of Directors headed the Principals that are subjects 
to lead and direct all internship activities of cadets.
Object of management: cadets and activities of cadets taking 
place during the internship. They are  both objects  and  subjects  that 
directly determine the effectiveness of their internship activities in the 
direction of competence development.


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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


14
2.3.5. Qualifications and experience in organizing internship  
activities of managers and lecturers 
2.3.6. Knowledge, skills and attitudes of cadets
Conclusion of Chapter 2
              In order to gain high efficiency in organizing and management 
of   internship   activities   of   cadets   in   the   direction   of   competence 
development,  the   one   hand,   it   is   required   to   inherit   good   ways   or 

experiences   in   tradition.   On  the   other   hand,   it   must   be   based   on  the 
output capacity standard of cadets according to training objectives and 
requirements in the direction of competence development and practical 
tasks and responsibilities assigned to cadets after graduation to identify 
the content of competence development orientation in a comprehensive 
way including: professional capacity, method capacity, social capacity 
and   individual   capacity.   On   that   basis,   determine   the   objectives   and 
contents   of   internship   activities;   formulate   and   organize   the 
implementation   of   the   plan   of   internship   activities   of   cadets   in   the 
direction   of   competence   development;   check   and   evaluate   internship 
activities of cadets in the direction of competence development; ensure 
the conditions of scientific implementation and high feasibility. 
Management   of   internship   activities   of   cadets   at   military 
officers­training colleges in the direction of competence development is 
a   new   issue   and   affected   by   many   objective   and   subjective   factors. 
Therefore, management entities must understand to make management 
measures suitable for each object to achieve the highest quality.
Chapter 3
PRACTICAL BASIS OF MANAGING CADET’S INTERNSHIP 
ACTIVITIES AT MILITARY OFFICERS­TRAINING 
COLLEGES IN THE DIRECTION OF COMPETENCE 
DEVELOPMENT
3.1.  Overview  of the  situation of  education and training  at 
military officers­training colleges
3.1.1. Introduction of military officers­training colleges
The military officers­training colleges are a part of the system 
of military academies and schools, which are part of the state's higher 
education system, playing an important role in the cause of military 
education,   training   and   research   and   humanities   social   science   etc. 
Currently, in the army, there are 11 military officers­training colleges of 

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graduate and postgraduate levels at section level with majors in politics 
and advisory commanders.
*   Organizational   structure:  including  Board   of   Management, 
functional   agencies   (departments,   committees),   and   faculties,   student 
management   units   (system,   battalion,   class,   company,   and   platoon). 
Party committees of military officers­training colleges are higher­level 
party   organizations   than     Party   committees   at   grassroots   units,   Party 
grassroots   organizations   are   established   at   agencies,   faculties   and 
systems, battalions of cadets; mass organizations and military councils; 
being   always   concerned,   meeting   the   requirements   of   education   and 
training tasks, scientific researches and other tasks.
Functions   and   duties:  an   organization   with   legal   status, 
performing   the   tasks   of   education   and   training,   scientific   research, 
building   a   regular   military   school,   issuing   diplomas   and   certificates 
according to regulations of the State and the Ministry of Defense.
Models   and   objectives:  Training   cadres   with   strong   political 
bravery,   absolute   loyalty   to   the   Communist   Party   of   Vietnam,   the 
Fatherland, and the people; determination to follow the socialist path, 
sticking to the army's combat and construction career, being ready to 
receive   and complete  the  assigned   tasks;  creative  thinking,   university 
level   knowledge   and   military   skills   as   required   by   the   positions; 
collective   democracy,   formal   and  solidarity   style;   morality,   a   healthy 
lifestyle, modesty, needing to save integrity, being social with people, 
attached to the masses; suitable health for the position of work.
3.1.2. Characteristics of training cadets at military officers' schools
* Cadets at military officers­training colleges: more outstanding 

in age psychology, educational qualification, political quality, morality 
compared to those of students at universities outside the army.
* Programs and contents of education and training:  built in 
the direction of comprehensive development of qualities and capabilities 
of military officers; there is a balance of both the theoretical content and 
the   professional   practice;   attaching   academic   training   to   the   title   and 
positions after graduation. 
*Training organization: In the form of concentration, 100% of 
cadets study and practice in the camp of the school; under 24/24 hour 
supervision in accordance with the regimes of living, studying, training, 
combat readiness according to the command of the army management; 


16
The training period of the whole courses in commanding officer schools 
of   combined   armies   and   armies   is.   Particularly,   training   period   in 
Political Officer School is 5 years. 
3.2. Organization and method of studying the situation
3.2.1. General overview of organization and methods of research
* Purpose of the survey: Collect practical and objective data on 
the actual situation of internship activities and management of internship 
activities of cadets at military officers­training colleges.
*  Contents  of the survey:  Situation of  awareness of internship 
activities of cadets at military officers­training colleges; actual situation of 
internship  activities   and management  of  internship  activities  and  factors 
affecting   the   management   of   internship   activities   of   cadets   at   military 
officers­training colleges in the direction of competence development.
*   Subjects,   time   and  scope   of   survey:  Surveying   786   subjects 
including: 170 managers, teachers of military officers­training colleges, 
516 cadets under their internship; 100 cadres where cadets have their 

internship. Trial survey was from September to December 2016; Official 
survey was from March 2017 to July 2018 in some military officers­
training colleges and units in the north. 
3.2.2 Researching the situation
The   actual   research   process   was   divided   into   3   phases:   trial 
survey; official survey and data processing.
3.2.3. Methods of research
Using   a   combination   of   practical   research   methods   including: 
Expert method; pedagogical observation method; Method of soliciting 
opinions by questionnaires; Method of talking and discussing; Studying 
summary reports; Methods of analysing product activities; Methods of 
processing data by mathematical statistics
3.2.4. The way of processing data
               In order to accurately assess the survey results, the thesis divided 
evaluation results according to the criteria into 3 levels with the following 
convention points: Good is 3 points (M1); The average is 2 points (M2); 
Weakness is 1 point (M3) and using mathematical formulas including point 
interval calculation (L); average score calculation ( ); Spearman correlation 
coefficients (rs) to process and propose evaluation and observation. 
3.3.   Actual   situation   of   internship   activities   of   cadets   at 
military   officers­training   colleges  in   the   direction   of   competence 
development


17

              3.3.1. Awareness about the role of internship
              Survey results show that the respondents highly appreciated the 
position and role of the internship activities. There are still disparities in 
the   evaluation   results,   but   the   average   score   of   the   two   groups   of 

managers,   teachers   and   officers   is   2.29   points;   the   group   of   cadets 
achieved 2.31 points in fair good level. 
              3.3.2. Executing objectives of internship activities
Survey   results   show   that:   evaluation   of   managers   and 
teachers; officers on  achievement in targets of internship activities in 
the direction of competence development is relatively similar, including 
general and specific objectives. However, the results are not high, only 
at the weak average level.
3.3.3. The level of expression of cadet’s capacity according to  
the content of competence development orientation
The   survey   results   show   that   all   four   capabilities   were 
understood and evaluated by managers and teachers; officers and cadets 
quite relatively uniformly. This proves that the internship contents in in 
the direction of competence development that  the  thesis surveyed are 
appropriate, close to the responsibilities and tasks of the cadet’s position.
3.3.4. Methods of organizing internships
              In order to determine the optimal and effective practice method, 
the thesis offered 3 basic internship methods and surveyed respondents. 
The results show that the internship method was divided into 2 phases: 
Phase 1 at the beginning of the third school year, the second phase at the 
end of the fourth school year (for Political Officer Schools in the 4th and 
5th school years) to be the most effective practice method 
3.3.5 Check and evaluate the results of internship activities
               The   survey   results   show   that   the   evaluation   of   respondents   is 
relatively uniform; the average gap between the surveyed respondents is not 
too far from each other. However, it only reached the weak average level. 
3.4. Actual situation of management of internship activities 
of   cadets   at   military   officers­training   colleges  in   the   direction   of 
competence development
3.4.1. Basic advantages and limitations 

              Basic advantages 


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Firstly,  the   construction   of   internship   activities   is   relatively 
detailed, creating favourable conditions for cadets to perform their duties 
and tasks assigned according to training objectives and requirements.
               Secondly,  the organization of internship activities of cadets is 
done relatively strictly, seriously at all stages, steps from preparing for 
cadets before internship; organizing internship activities according to the 
defined plan and achieving the set objectives and requirements; learning 
experience after finishing internship, act.
               Thirdly,  instruction   to   internship   activities   of   cadets   is 
conducted regularly through the leadership and commanding systems at 
all   levels,   promptly   discovering   advantages,   limitations   and   problems 
arising to take measures closely and accurately. 
              Fourthly, the check and evaluation of cadet’s internship activities are 
in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry and the regulations on 
education and training of military officers­training colleges. 
               Fifth,  the   military  officers­training   colleges  invest   and  equip 
basic facilities to meet the requirements of internship activities, creating 
conditions for cadets to perform their assigned duties and tasks at the 
grassroots units. 
              Limitations and shortcomings 
Firstly, awareness of a part of managers and teachers; officers 
and  cadets  about  internship  activities   and  management   of  internship 
activities are incomplete and uneven; some officials are still not close  
in understanding and guiding cadets in their activities. 
              Secondly, some schools develop plans and organize internship 
activities not strictly; not providing enough training to cadets before 

their internship; the management and organization of implementation 
of internship activities has not been directed regularly and strictly.
               Thirdly,  determination of target of  internship activities  is still 
general and not comprehensive;  the  innovation in building  content of 
internship   activities   in   the   direction   of   competence   development   is 
slow;   methods   of   organizing  internship   activities   are  still   rigid,   the 
internship time is still short, not enough for cadets to observe learn and 
experience to meet the requirements of competence development.
Fourthly,  the system of documents directing the organization 
of  internship  activities  of  the  Ministry  is old;  many contents  are  no 
longer suitable with current requirements.
               Fifthly,  check and evaluation of results of internship activities 
is subjective, simple, qualitative, there are no standards to evaluate each 
content; forms of evaluation are not flexible.


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3.4.2. Causes of advantages and limitations
* Causes of advantages
               The military officers­training colleges have many measures to 
raise the awareness and responsibilities of related forces in the process of 
management of internship activities of cadets.
Managers have paid close attention to and coordinated in the 
process   of   developing   plans,   organizing   and   directing   internship 
activities.
               The   military   officers­training   colleges   and   units   have   been 
invested   in   facilities   and   equipment   to   meet   the   requirements   of 
internship activities. 
* Cause of the limitations, weaknesses

              The formulation of regulations and rules for internship activities 
are   still   incomplete,   failing   to   meet   the   requirements   of   organizing 
internship activities in the direction of competence development.
              Organization, direction and establishment of goals and content 
of internship activities are still general; determination of the mode of 
internship activities; inspection and assessment of internship activities 
are still slow to innovate and lack of comprehensiveness.
               A   part   of   cadets   is   not   self­aware,   active   in   their   internship 
activities. The training for cadets before internship at some schools has 
not been respected and practical. 
              Some military officers­training colleges have not contacted and 
coordinated   closely   with   the   grassroots   units   in   management   of 
internship activities of cadets. 
              Facilities, equipment, model of learning tools, practice ground, 
funding for internship activities are limited and not uniform.
3.5.  Current situation  of factors affecting the management 
of internship activities of cadets at military officers­training colleges 
in the direction of competence development
The   results   showed   that,   groups   of   surveyed   respondents   all 
stated   that   the   impacts   of   6   elements   determined   by   the   thesis   to 
management   of   internship   activities   of   cadets   at   military   officers­
training colleges  re relatively strong. In particular, the impact from 
"qualification   and   experience   of   teachers   and   managers   in  
organizing  internship   activities"  and   from   "qualifications,  


20
knowledge,   skills   and  attitudes   of   cadets"  are   considered   to   be  the 
two   most   influential   factors,   followed by the elements of  "Program 
and content of training in the direction of competence development";  

"Regulations, rules on internship activities" and "Internship places and  
unit". Factor   of   fewer   impacts   is  "Requirement   for   innovation   of  
education and training in the direction of competence development".
Conclusion of Chapter 3 
                      Although   many   advantages   have   been   achieved,   the 
management of cadet internship activities still has many shortcomings, 
not keeping up with the development of theory and practice, failing to 
meet   the   requirements   of   training   with   output   capacity   standards. 
Management   of   internship   activities   of   cadets   at   military   officers­
training colleges in the direction of competence development  is a new 
issue   that   needs   to   be   fully   recognized   and   carefully   resolved.   The 
results   of   surveying   actual   situation   of   internship   activities   and 
management of internship activities of cadets at military officers­training 
colleges   in   the   direction   of   competence   development  together   with 
advantages, limitations and causes of the situation are an important basis 
for   proposing   measures   to   manage   internship   activities   of   cadets   at 
military   officers­training   colleges   in   the   direction   of   competence 
development with efficiency and feasibility.


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Chapter 4
MEASURES AND TESTING OF MEASURES FOR 
MANAGEMENT OF INTERNSHIP ACTIVITIES OF CADETS 
AT MILITARY OFFICERS­TRAINING COLLEGES IN THE 
DIRECTION OF COMPETENCE DEVELOPMENT 
4.1. The system of measures for management of internship 
activities   of   cadets   at   military   officers­training   colleges   in   the 
direction of competence development

             4.1.1. Educate to awareness and responsibility for managers  
management   of   internship   activities  in   the   direction   of   competence  
development
               This is a measure to create the basis and premise for the next 
measures. In order to well implement this measure, it requires managers 
to have documents clearly defining the responsibilities and powers of the 
concerned   forces;   regularly   direct   the   work   of   education,   thoroughly 
grasp the position, role and the need to manage  internship activities  in 
the direction of competence development; Actively coordinate with each 
other to improve the effectiveness of management of internship activities 
in the direction of competence development.
              4.1.2. Develop plans of internship activities in the direction of  
competence development
This is a measure of great significance, which is the basis for 
unifying action and coordination of forces and means in the organization 
of internship activities. In order to implement this measure, the Board of 
Directors of each military officers­training college should closely guide 
the   relevant   departments   in   the   process   of   developing   the   plan;   the 
implementation of the plan must ensure consistency; the plan must be 
consistent with the conditions and capabilities of each school and the 
units where cadets are doing their internship. 
4.1.3. Direct the renewal of the mode of organizing internship  
activities   according   to   an   appropriate   and   scientific   process   with  
orientations for competence development
              This is a significant measure, directly related to other measures. 
The   basic   content   of   the   measure   is   to   increase   the   number   of 
internships,   the   internship   time   at   the   grassroots   units   from   1 
time/session   to   2   times/session,   the   internship   time   is   3   to   4   weeks 

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higher   than   the   previous   one   and   organize   internship   according   to   a 
scientific   process   suitable   to  competence   development   orientation.   In 
order to implement this measure, the military officers­training colleges 
need   to:   Adjust   training   programs   and   content   in   the   direction   of 
reducing the theory of increasing practice time; In the course of training, 
it is necessary to clearly determine the output capability standards of the 
subjects,   the   semesters   and   the   school   years   in   conformity   with   the 
output capability standards; Clearly define the work to be done in the 
stages and steps of the organization of internship activities; Organizing, 
directing, inspecting, evaluating and summarizing internship activities in 
accordance with competence development orientation.
              4.1.4. Ensure the conditions to improve the quality of internship 
              This measure aims to ensure conditions on regulations, training 
programs, relevant documents, facilities; practice grounds and practice 
units   to   support   internship   activities   effectively.   In   order   for   the 
implementation   of   this   measure   military   officers­training   colleges 
should: Recommend and coordinate with the competent authorities of 
the Ministry of Defense to add and complete regulation on organizing 
internship   activities   of   cadets   in   the   direction   of   competence 
development; Direct the renovation of training contents and programs 
according to  competence development orientation; Plan to find sources 
of   investment,   upgrading   facilities   to   serve   teaching   and   internship 
activities of cadets in the direction of competence development; Closely 
coordinate   with   grassroots   units   to   ensure   facilities,   equipment   and 
policies for cadets. 
4.1.5.  Direct   the   renewal   of   methods   in   inspecting   and  
evaluating results of internship activities of cadets in the direction of  
competence development
               This   is   an   indispensable   and   important   measure   for 

management   of   internship   activities   of   cadets  in   the   direction   of 
competence development. In order to well implement this measure, the 
management subjects need: To direct the determination of principles and 
the process of inspection and evaluation; Direct the functional agencies 
and faculty members to develop criteria and standards for inspection and 
evaluation;   determine   criteria   for   inspection   and   evaluation;   Well 
organize   inspection   and   evaluation   activities   to   ensure   the   nature, 
objectivity, reliability and comprehensiveness. 


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4.2. Surveying  the necessity and feasibility of the proposed 
measures
            4.2.1. General problems of surveying
* Purpose of surveying: To confirm the necessity and feasibility 
of   measures   in   management   of   internship   activities   of   cadets  in   the 
direction of competence development. Thereby completing the measures 
to suit the reality 
* Contents and methods of surveying: find out the necessity and 
feasibility of measures in management of internship activities of cadets 
in   the   direction   of   competence   development  according   to   proposed 
measures. Through surveys by questionnaires, the opinions are ranked as 
follows: Very necessary, very feasible: 3 points; necessary: feasible: 2 
points; Less necessary, less feasible: 1 point.
              4.2.2. Respondents 
               Include   225   scientists,   education   management   experts, 
managers, teachers and internship officers. 
               4.2.3.   Survey   results   on   the   necessity  and   feasibility   of  the 
proposed measures

               *   Assessing   the   necessity:  the   proposed   measures   have   the 
evaluation   necessity   with   a   general   average   score   of   2.39   and   relatively 
uniformly.
*   Assessing   the   feasibility:  the   measures   have   proposed   the 
evaluation is highly feasible, with a general average score = 2.38 levels, 
variation between measures from 2.29 to 2, 41 is relatively uniform.
* Assessing correlation between the necessity and feasibility of  
measures:  Through verification by Specrman formula,   rs = 0,9 shows 
the necessity and feasibility have tight and positive correlation, meaning 
that the measures are both necessary and highly feasible.
4.3. Experiment
4.3.1. Organizing experiment
* The purpose of experiment: to verify the scientific hypothesis 
and   at   the   same   time   evaluate   the   effectiveness   of   management   of 
internship   activities   of   cadets  in   the   direction   of   competence 
development. Due to legal conditions, the author only experimented the 
method   of  "Direct   the   renewal   of  the   mode   of   organizing   internship  
activities   according   to   an   appropriate   and   scientific   process   with  


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orientations for competence development" in order to improve quality of 
management of internship activities of cadets.
* Experimental hypothesis: It is possible to improve the ability 
of cadets to perform their assigned responsibilities and tasks at military 
officers­training   colleges   via   internship   activities   if   applying   the 
following   measures:  "Direct   the   renewal   of  the   mode   of   organizing  
internship activities according to an appropriate and scientific process  
with orientations for competence development”. 
* Subjects and institution: Internship activities of cadets of 3rd 

Battalion, School of Political Officers.
* Experiment method: Experiment with control.
* Experiment procedure: Step 1, prepare for experiment; Step 2, 
conduct experiment; Step 3, finish experiment
* Experiment period: from 2/2018 to 7/2018. 
4.3.2. Process and analyze experiment results
From   the   results,   between  test   class   and   control   class, 
mathematic statistics were used to test the mean value of the two classes 
with results obtained in Table 4.1. 
Table 4.1. Compare the mean value of expression capacity of  
the test and control classes after testing
The mean value ( 
) 
Test class
Control class
capacity expression level 
after testing
1 Pretty good
40.4
33.4
2 Normal
52.0
50.3
3 Weak 
7.6
16.3
Compared to the results of the pre­test survey, it is shown that 
the level of expression of cadet’s capacity in test class and control class 
has increased. However, in test class: The rate of "Pretty good" increased 
higher   than   before   testing;   the   "average"   rate   increased   not   much, 

especially the "weak" rate significantly reduced. As for the control class, 
the   "Pretty"   rate   also   increased   but   not   high,   the   "Average"   rate 
increased insignificantly, the "Weak" rate also decreased but not much. 
To test if the increase in test class is statistically significant or 
not? Reliable or not? The thesis has used inspection quantity (t) to test. 
The results show that:
No.


25

Test   mean   value   of   Pretty   good   (40,3   and   33,4)   of   the   two 
classes, then t> t α (because 9,408> 2,110)
Test mean value of Normal (52.0 and 50.3) results obtained t> t 
 (because 2,420> 2,110)
α
Test mean value of Weak (7.6 and 16.3) results obtained t (because ­ 12,572 <2,110)
The   results   of   the   above   test   confirm   the   proven   hypothesis. 
Then,   draw   out   the   proposed   measures   that   positively   affect   the 
effectiveness of management of internship activities of cadets at military 
officers­training colleges in the direction of competence development.
Conclusion of Chapter 4
The proposed measures to manage internship activities of cadets 
at   military   officers­training   colleges  in   the   direction   of   competence 
development have a dialectical and close relationship. Test results show 
that   the   proposed   measures   are   highly   appreciated   both   in   terms   of 
necessity   and   feasibility.   Test   results   have   proven   management 
measures:  "Direct   the   renewal   of  the   mode   of   organizing   internship  
activities   according   to   an   appropriate   and   scientific   process   with  

orientations for competence development",  in accordance with reality, 
contributing to improving the quality and effectiveness of  competence 
development   in   performing  responsibilities   and   duties   of   cadets   at 
military   officers­training   colleges   with   their   internship   activities   at 
grassroots units. That allows affirming the application of measures to 
manage   internship   activities   of   cadets   at   military   officers­training 
colleges in the direction of competence development.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 
              1. Conclusions 
               1.1. From an overview of the researches related to the thesis 
topic and identifying the issues that need further solutions, the author has 
supplemented   and   developed   the   theoretical   basis   of   the   internship 
activities,   management   of   internship   activities   of   cadets   at   military 
officers­training colleges in the direction of competence development. 
              1.2. The thesis conducted surveys and assessment of the current 
situation of internship activities, management of internship activities; the 
impact level of factors affecting the management of internship activities 
of   cadets   at   military   officers­training   colleges  in   the   direction   of 
competence development. From there , specify advantages, limitations