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• 2021
• • 14 Octobre
  • Par Pascal Dembélé
  • 
  • Bureau Mali MLI/026
  • Agriculture et Sécurité alimentaire
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  MALI - Première rencontre pour la mise en œuvre de l’apprentissage rénové à Sikasso

  L’apprentissage rénové est un mode de formation par alternance destiné aux jeunes de 15 à 35 ans scolarisés et non scolarisés. Ce dispositif est appuyé par la Coopération luxembourgeoise au Mali depuis les années 2010 et vise à corriger les tares constatées dans l’apprentissage informel, en vue de favoriser la professionnalisation et l’emploi des jeunes. Son pilotage est assuré par le Conseil régional avec l’implication des autres acteurs.

  La démarche de mise en œuvre de l’apprentissage rénové prévoit :

  • des concertations ;
  • la sélection des maîtres d’apprentissage et des apprentis ;
  • l’élaboration et la signature des conventions de l’apprentissage ;
  • la formation des maîtres d’apprentissage en pédagogie ;
  • l’apprentissage des jeunes suivant les programmes, ;
  • le suivi ; et
  • la certification.

  C’est dans ce contexte, que le conseil régional de Sikasso, de concert avec les chambres consulaires et les faitières des filières retenues par la Direction régionale de la formation professionnelle, a organisé la première rencontre trimestrielle sur la mise en œuvre du dispositif de l’apprentissage rénové dans la région de Sikasso.

  Cette rencontre, organisée dans le cadre du Programme d’appui aux filières agropastorales - Phase II, MLI/026, porte sur la professionnalisation et l’inclusion des maillons des filières agropastorales et vise à renouveler les compétences des différents acteurs. Elle représente la première étape d’un processus itératif, inclusif et dynamique qui englobe l’ensemble des parties prenantes.

  Ladite rencontre s’est tenue le 30 septembre 2021 dans la salle de conférence du conseil régional de Sikasso. Elle a permis, au regard des objectifs assignés, de fixer les critères de sélection des maîtres d’apprentissage et des apprentis mais également et de faire la répartition des effectifs par pôle économique de la région, par filière, par métiers et par cohorte de formation.

  

  L’identification des besoins en formation a été réalisé préalablement, au cours d’un atelier organisé en avril 2021 par le conseil régional. Cet atelier avait retenu le ciblage de l’apprentissage de 300 jeunes sur 5 métiers porteurs ( producteur de lait, producteur de fourrage, producteur de pomme de terre de consommation, bouvier et collecteur de lait) et sur les maillions des filières pomme de terre et lait local.

  Les débats de la première rencontre trimestrielle ont pris en compte des facteurs tels que l’existence des bassins de producteurs de lait et de pomme de terre, les potentialités de chaque pôle économique et le genre.

  

  Nous notons comme résultat de cette rencontre que la cible retenue est constituée de personnes de15 à 35 ans, avec un focus particulier sur les jeunes de 15-24 ans qui ont, de manière génrale, des difficultés d’accès à la formation.

  Concernant la répartition par filière, le programme envisage de former 180 apprentis dans la filière pomme de terre et 120 apprentis sur les métiers dans la filière lait local. Ces effectifs sont repartis sur deux cohortes de formation (2022, 140 apprentis et 2023, 160 apprentis).

  A l’issue de la rencontre un plan d’action a été proposé et constitue la prochaine étape du processus.

   

  Le Programme d’appui aux filières agropastorales - Phase II, MLI/026 est financé par le Grand-Duché de Luxembourg et mis en œuvre par LuxDev, l’agence luxembourgeoise pour la Coopération au développement

  ↑ Haut de la page
• • 1 Octobre
  • Par Laura Heftrich
  • 
  • Bureau Cabo Verde CVE/083 CVE/082
  • Énergies renouvelables Eau et Assainissement
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  CABO VERDE - Quand l'énergie verte se met au service du secteur de l'eau et de l'assainissementLe Luxembourg soutient la réduction des coûts de l'électricité dans le secteur de l'eau et de l'assainissement en appuyant l'introduction des énergies renouvelables

  Les coûts de l’énergie représentent entre 50 et 60 % des dépenses des coûts entreprises des services d'eau et d'assainissement, ce qui limite les nouveaux investissements et la rentabilité des entreprises. Ces contraintes affectent le prix de l’eau et la qualité des services d’eau fournis au consommateur final.

  Le Luxembourg à travers son programme d’Appui au secteur de l’eau et assainissement (PASEA) a appuyé fortement les îles de Santiago, Fogo e Maio dans l’implémentation des énergies renouvelables. Ceci permettra aux entreprises des services d'eau et d'assainissement comme Aguabrava, Águas e Energia de Maio et Águas de Santiago de faire des gains significatifs en termes d'économies d'énergie et en devenant plus efficientes.

  Installation photovoltaique dans la station de Pompage Alvito 48 kWp, épargne: 15 814 EUR/an

  Dans le cadre de l’appui de la Coopération luxembourgeoise a l’île de Fogo à travers l’opérateur de service, Agua Brava, le programme PASEA a appuyé depuis 2016 l’installation de sept parcs photovoltaïques dans les plus grandes stations de pompage et les forages d’eau pour consommation humaine. Il est prévu que ces installations garantissent 42% d'économie d'énergie pour Agua Brava. Pendant l’année 2020, Agua Brava a pu économiser 84 000 EUR et pour l’année 2021, les économies pour Agua Brava sont estimées à 110 000 EUR.

  Installation photovoltaique dans la station de pompage Benecha 40 kWp, épargne: 8 680 EUR/an

  Les entreprises intermunicipales sont maintenant convaincues que l’efficience énergétique est primordiale pour ce secteur et elles ont prévu, avec des fonds propres et avec le soutien technique du PASEA, de continuer les initiatives qui visent à améliorer l’efficience énergétique et la réduction des coûts d’énergie pour la production et distribution d’eau.

  Les programmes Eau et assainissement, CVE/082 et Énergies renouvelables, CVE/083 sont financés par le Grand-Duché de Luxembourg et mis en œuvre par LuxDev, l’agence luxembourgeoise pour la Coopération au développement.

   

  ↑ Haut de la page
• • 30 Septembre
  • Par Daniele Passalacqua and Renea Bula
  • 
  • Bureau Kosovo KSV/020
  • Éducation - Formation et Insertion professionnelles
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  KOSOVO – Enhancing the cooperation between vocational education and training institutions and the private sector

  Creating relationships between schools and the various actors of the communities in which they operate in is essential in enhancing student learning. These partnerships provide varied benefits which increase school capacities and make the overall educational experiences more interactive for students. In June 2021, the Support to vocational education and training reform in Kosovo project, KSV/020, formalised five memoranda of understandings between Meister training tenter and five vocational education and training institutions from the municipalities of Prizren, Vushtrri, Ferizaj, Suahreka and Gjilan - an initiative that will lead to the transformation of the vocational education and training system to a dual one, one of the firsts in Kosovo.

  The goal of these partnerships is to establish cooperation between the company and the vocational education and training institutions to advance the practical learning skills of students by offering them professional practice within the company. The partnership will facilitate the proper implementation of the qualification set for the profile of “electronic technician” developed in cooperation with European international partners from the private sector. The parties involved will have different responsibilities which include the transfer of skills between the teachers and school staff towards professional development activities, co-organisation of symposiums, conferences and short courses, proposals on adjusting the occupational standard, curricula and teaching and learning materials to match the latest industry trends and practices.

  

  In general, the public vocational education and training schools in Kosovo face obstacles in the implementation of the theoretical, and especially the practical part of the profile. This challenge arises due the lack of equipment within schools and lack of expertise in using and maintaining the needed machineries.  Therefore, an important component of this partnership is that students will use the equipment located within the company’s premises which will facilitate students’ professional practice. Ultimately, this will allow students to conduct their practice in the presence of industry professionals and acquire the necessary skills in the workplace.

  To commemorate such an important milestone, an event formalising the signing of the memoranda of understandings was organised. Part of this event were representatives from the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Agency for vocational education and training and adult education, the Project, Meister training centre as well as representatives from the municipalities and vocational education and training school directors. The attendees praised the initiative and pointed out the relevance of engaging with businesses to enhance and enrich the delivery of education. They firmly believed that more companies and schools will follow through the same path, especially once the benefits of such partnerships start becoming tangible.

  All in all, these public-private partnerships are of immense importance as they optimise the vocational education and training offer whilst building the world of work into education. Furthermore, they lead to work experience opportunities that improve the prospects of young students when seeking employment.

  The KSV/020 project is co-funded by the Government of Kosovo and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and implemented by the Kosovo Ministry of Education and Science and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.  

  ↑ Haut de la page
• • 30 Septembre
  • Par Daniele Passalacqua and Renea Bula
  • 
  • KSV/020
  • Éducation - Formation et Insertion professionnelles
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  KOSOVO – Development and implementation of qualification sets for technical profiles

  One of the main goals of the Support to vocational education and training reform in Kosovo project, KSV/020, is to improve the vocational education and training quality through the development of qualifications sets corresponding to the latest trends in the labour market. With the support of the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, the project has developed qualifications sets for four technical profiles:

  • the occupational standards, curricula;
  • teaching and learning material; 
  • didactic guidelines, and supporting material for teachers.  

  

  The selection of these profiles was based on labour market analysis and the identification of priority occupations which the project did in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation.

  In the curricula development process, experts from the industry and private sector made sure to create a model of integrated curricula (theoretical and practical).

  Furthermore, the teaching and learning material , the guidelines and the supporting material are the first of their kind to be developed for these profiles.

  The teaching and learning material encompasses extensive information, both descriptive and visual, reforming teaching and learning methods, and ultimately optimising the vocational education and training offer. 

  On August 31, 2021, the chief technical advisor of the KSV/020 project met with the representatives of the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation and vocational education and training school directors to officially hand over the qualification sets for four technical profiles.

  All participants praised this initiative. Herein, the vocational education and training school directors expressed their appreciation for the support the KSV/020 project has provided to them in developing new qualification sets based on the contemporary advances to meet new labour market demand.

  The representative of the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation  also praised the continuous support that the project has provided to the Ministry during these years, especially in reforming the vocational education and training quality.

  All this work would not have been possible without the contribution of all the relevant stakeholders; therefore, the chief technical advisor of the KSV/020 project expressed his appreciation to the MESTI and the schools for their close cooperation throughout this process. He further stated that:

  “Even though we are submitting qualification sets for four profiles, the support of the project will continue through tailor-made capacity development activities for teachers and training with international and local experts. All of this will be finalized with the provision of laboratory equipment to vocational education and training schools as part of the overall plan to improve the  quality”.

  Finally, as a result of this teamwork, the developed qualification sets for the technical profiles will be available for all vocational education and training schools nationwide starting from the new academic year 2021/2022.

  The KSV/020 project is co-funded by the Government of Kosovo and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and implemented by the Kosovo Ministry of Education and Science and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.  

  ↑ Haut de la page
• • 30 Septembre
  • Par Daniele Passalacqua and Hana Bacaj
  • 
  • Bureau Kosovo KSV/801
  • Formation et Insertion professionnelles
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  KOSOVO - Operationalise recognition of prior learning as active labour market measure

  The European Union project, Support to vocational education and training, professional requalification and occupation, ESVET PRO has been supporting the employment agency of the Republic of Kosovo with technical and financial support, in establishing a legal framework and operational arrangements to include recognition of prior learning as a complementary active labour market measure. Kosovo’s active labour market measures promote labour market integration by reducing job-finding barriers and increasing employment probability.

  More specifically, ESVET PRO has provided technical support to the employment agency of the Republic of Kosovo to revise the regulation on active labour market measures (No. 01/2018). This regulation implements the following active labour market measures:

  • vocational training (through vocational training centres );
  • on-the-job training;
  • wage subsidies;
  • internship scheme;
  • self-employment and promoting entrepreneurship; and
  • public works.

  Consequently, the goal was to include recognition of prior learning as part of the active labour market measures mentioned above and operationalise it through the two related manuals:

  • the operational manual for training and re-training; and  
  • the operational manual for employment services provision.

  For this process, ESVET PRO provided specialised expertise for the revision of the two manuals and the provision of training to the directors of VTCs on the implementation and operationalisation of these manuals.

  In June, project ESVET PRO, EU representatives, the employment agency of the Republic of Kosovo, vocational training centres directors and other important stakeholders met to celebrate an important milestone : the revision and the update of two manuals that make recognition of prior learning fully operational as active labour market measure.

  The chief technical advisor of the project ESVET PRO, Daniele Cristian Passalacqua, highlighted that “this ceremony constitutes only one of the agreed activities as part of the memorandum of understandings, co-signed between the project ESVET PRO and the employment agency of the Republic of Kosovo. Our cooperation aims to support the employment agency of the Republic of Kosovo and vocational training centres to fully operationalise recognition of prior learning as an active labour arket measure at national level”.

  
  Daniele Cristian Passalacqua (chief technical advisor of ESVET PRO) and Stergios Tragoudas (programme manager-EU policies-education) discussing regarding the importance of fully operationalizing recognition of prior learning as an active labour market measure.

  The European Union representative, Stergios Tragoudas, expressed his gratitude to the employment agency of the Republic of Kosovo for their commitment and professionalism in collaborating with ESVET PRO, a project funded by the European Union and implemented by LuxDev. Mr Tragoudas stated that this event marks an important milestone for Kosovo’s vocational education and training system. He hopes that the ESVET PRO project and the employment agency of the Republic of Kosovo will continue to bring greater outcomes to promote quality education and lifelong learning for all in Kosovo.

  The director of the employment agency of the Republic of Kosovo, Mr Drin Haraqia and the head of the vocational education and training department, Ms Jehona Rexha, thanked the ESVET PRO project for the support and assured that the employment agency of the Republic of Kosovo  would continue its commitment to the organisation of future joint activities.

  The event was followed by a training delivered to all directors of vocational training centres on the implementation of the manuals. The project ESVET PRO will continue to support the employment agency of the Republic of Kosovo and vocational training centres in successfully implementing the recognition of prior learning component throughout Kosovo.

   

  This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of LuxDev and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.  

   

  ↑ Haut de la page
• • 30 Septembre
  • Par Blerta Avdiu
  • 
  • KSV/017
  • Santé
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  KOSOVO - General hospitals of Gjilan and Prizren perform the evaluation of their strategic plans 2017-2021

  For the first time since the establishment of the general hospitals of Gjilan and Prizren, several decades ago, these were equipped with the necessary technical and financial assistance by the Health sector support programme in Kosovo (Phase II) project, KSV/017, for the drafting of Gjilan and Prizren general hospitals' strategic plans 2017-2021 and the implementation of the activities foreseen in the respective plans.

  During this period, the strategic plans provided a framework for the management and staff to align their programme initiaves in the service planning process. In addition, the drafting process itself and the skills acquired over the years were very useful in guiding and preparing the hospitals’ staff in managing the pandemic more strategically, which subsequently led to the provision of better services and treatment of Covid-19 patients.

  As the end of the 2021 approaches, the project in close collaboration with the staff of the hospitals, will perform an evaluation of the implementation of the strategy with a twofold purpose:

  • to assess the extent to which the strategic objectives have been achieved; and  
  • to increase capacities for proper monitoring and evaluation of the strategic documents.

  The outcomes of the evaluation and the lessons learnt will pave the way for the design of the new institutional development plans for the upcoming period 2022-2026.

  The project KSV/017 was co-funded by the Government of Kosovo and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and implemented by the Kosovo Ministry of Health and LuxDev.

   

  

  ↑ Haut de la page
• • 29 Septembre
  • Par Prasong Jantakad and Souphavady Xaysana
  • 
  • Bureau régional de Vientiane LAO/030
  • Développement local
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  LAOS - Healthy food for a better life A story of Ms. Khamkone: The empower women

  "I grew up in a low-income family that subsisted solely on rice. I had to drop out of school when I was fourteen to help my parents earn money. I moved to Nahad after marrying my husband and I had three children", says Khamkone, a 56-year-old woman, a model farmer for organic vegetable growers. 

  "Fortunately, I was able to complete fifth grade as there are only a few people in my neighbourhood who can read and write. With the added responsibilities of leading and serving as a role model for others, my life as the head of the village was challenging. I didn't have much money to begin with, so I had to work very hard to be a mother, a wife, and the leader of this community all at the same time”, Khamkone recounts.

  

  Ms Khamphone a model farmer at Nahad village Khamkurd district, Bolikhamxay province, © LuxDev

  Nahad is one of the LAO/030 programme’s target villages in Khamkeud district. The village is located in a remote area close to the Vietnam border, 22 km away from the district’s main town. Currently Nahad has a population of 699, made up of 121 households who mainly belong to the Lao-Tai ethnic group. The Local Development Programme LAO/030 aims to improve living standards in its target villages. Often this support builds on the existing knowledge and resources in the villages, and further develops villagers’ skills, allowing them to improve their living conditions in a sustainable way. In the case of Nahad, its villagers considered healthy food a key priority and set the vision of being declared an organic vegetable producing village by the end of 2021. There is a long way to go before being certified, and they must go through many steps and meet numerous administrative and technical requirements. Still, through the LAO/030 programme’s village development fund, Nahad now has the opportunity to transform itself into a model village for organic agricultural production. To do so, representatives from the production group and the agricultural extension office went on a study tour to Xiengkhuang province in June 2020 to learn from other organic vegetable production groups. It was a positive visit, which not only gave them the opportunity to learn and to ask questions, but also more confidence to continue their organic planting when they returned home. 

  

  Khamphone enjoys taking care of her vegetables, © LuxDev

  "It was my first visit to Xiengkhuang province. I was overjoyed. We visited several villages to learn about organic planting processes, composting, chemical-free production methods and how to use local resources for pest control and bio-fertilizers, which completely changed my perspective on planting and farming." 

  Upon her return, Khamkone began to make bio-fertilizers and compost. She immediately noticed a difference as she was able to save on fertilizer and sell more vegetables that are now chemical-free.

  

  In February 2021, 29 members of the Nahad production group participated in a five-day training course on organic vegetable growing techniques and practices, with the help of a resource person who they met in Xiengkhouang in June 2020. 

  "After learning about the dangers of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, as well as the benefits of using natural waste, I have never grown in the same way again. In terms of health and finances, my life has considerably improved. The best thing is that our food is completely safe. I can really see my family living healthily and happily", Khamkone says. 

  

  Khamphone is showing to her villagers how to make bio-fertilizers,  © LuxDev

  Nowadays, the many villagers have adopted organic farming methods and local resources for creating compost fertilizer and bio-pesticides for insect control. Furthermore, with the assistance of the Clean Agriculture Standard Center (CASC), three selected farmers, including Khamkone, were recently trained to be members of Internal Control System (ICS) to control and monitor the usage of chemical fertilizers. 

  Through the three model farmers, the CASC can monitor local compliance with ICS standards. The CASC regularly consults with them to help them in achieving their goal. Moreover, the district agricultural office is attempting to create market areas where organic veggies can be sold. 

  I will continue to push for organic products. The challenge is that some farmers are still reluctant to grow organic vegetables over fears of losing produce. This motivated me to become a successful example and to prove that what we were aiming to do can be done..

                                Ms Khamphone a model farmer-Nahad village, Khamkurd district, Bolikhamxay province

  

  Nahad village is currently an important production area, creating jobs for local middlemen to deliver vegetables to the three main markets and neighbouring areas, improving food security in the district. The goal of becoming a model organic community is not far away if the district and village maintain their intention and the serious effort it requires.

  To raise peoples’ standard of living, the programme will strive to upscale good practices such as these and will continue to support farmers. 

  Organic vegetable production has become increasingly popular in the Lao PDR in recent years. As the standard of living and education has improved, people have become more aware of the importance of consuming better and healthier foods, including vegetables free from chemical fertilizers and pesticides. At policy level, the 9th National Social and Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) 2021-2025 has highlighted the need for a sustainable management and use of natural resources, and a national green growth strategy entailing environmentally friendly practices in agricultural production. Consequently, the Lao government is currently working to reduce the use of chemicals fertilizers in agriculture and to support organic farming practices by transitioning away from chemically fertilized vegetables to cleaner vegetables (grown with a minimum use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, meeting safety standards for consumers) and finally to purely organic vegetables. 

  The Local Development Programme for Bokeo, Bolikhamxay, Khammouane and Vientiane Province, LAO/030, is co-funded by the Government of Laos and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and is implemented by the Ministry of Planning and Investment and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.

   

  ↑ Haut de la page
• • 7 Septembre
  • Par Cam Do Hoang Le
  • 
  • Bureau régional de Vientiane VIE/032
  • Microfinance et Secteurs financiers
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  VIETNAM - Online training benefits during the Coronavirus pandemic

  Even though most of social and commercial activities in Vietnam are frozen during continuous lockdowns lasted by the turbulence of COVID-19’s Delta variant since late July this year, the Capacity Building in the Financial Sector – VIE/032 project managed to keep its activities go on with regular catching-ups with its counterparts and stakeholders. 

  

  Members of Group 1. The class was divided into 4 groups

  The last days of August, 2021 were marked by the first ever “Online Training-of-the-Trainers” course which aimed to consolidating online teaching skills for trainers of Securities Research and Training Center (SRTC) being under the management of the State Securities Commission (SSC) and having responsibilities to organize and implement researches, training and incentive training about securities, securities market, capital market, providing training services for organizations and individuals in securities fields.

  

  Participants work on slido.com as an example for virtual training practice

  This specific course came into reality despite face-to-face classes were impossible during the last few months whilst real need on online securities-relevant subjects from market learners soars (when people stay at home, more money is invested in stocks!), hence the needs for improving skills for trainers who deliver virtual courses fortifies. Not only SRTC trainers attended in the event, the target participants were extended also to visiting trainers from other market institutions such as Vietnam Securities Depository, Hanoi Stock Exchange, SSC, Securities Magazine and securities firm. This actually goes in line with the project document and plans of reaching out to wider groups of trainers in the entire capital market, who would be spreading their knowledge to employees within their organisations and other market players.

  

  Ice Breaking

  Sitting at their home offices across the currently quiet city of Hanoi, the trainees were introduced to and guided through various functions of the MS Teams itself and other training supporting platforms like Kahoot, Slido, Quizzi, Mentimeter and particularly MS Whiteboard for finance and securities contents. While some at the beginning showed their lack of confidence working with new software and sites, the training was confirmed informative and helpful with lot of interaction and practice. “Very interesting! We now know quite a bit of tips and I am happy there are still lots to be explored and applied. The trainer has been super supportive”, Mr. Minh Vu from Vietnam Securities Depository expressed. He was not the only one who appreciated such a course as Ms. Huong Nguyen, SRTC’s Deputy General Director and also a participant said when closing the course: “It is absolutely on-time for us and I could see clearly how it would help us: saving time and costs, reaching for more learners, making screen-to-screen classes much more lively.” “We have received remarkable funding from Luxembourg for many of our activities during the last two years and been so thankful for LuxDev and VIE/032’s meaningful supports”, she said her center would be more efficient and more market oriented in the coming time with “SRTC fully operational with digitalized resources and systems thanks to those great supports”.

  

  Participants attending Online Training-of-the-Trainers course, 25-26 August 2021

  Final evaluation of the course received very positive feedbacks and the demand for an advanced follow-up course was raised. Financial market has never been an easy playfield, even for those who are behind the podiums or with the whiteboards delivering lessons.

  The Capacity Building in the Financial Sector – VIE/032 project is co-financed by the Government of Vietnam and the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg and is implemented by the Vietnamese State Securities Commission and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.

  ↑ Haut de la page
• • 1 Septembre
  • Par Ben WANDIVINIT
  • 
  • Bureau régional de Vientiane LAO/029
  • Éducation - Formation et Insertion professionnelles
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  LAOS - Tourism and hospitality teachers build their English and online teaching skills

  A recent collaboration between the Luxembourg Development Cooperation, the Swiss Development Cooperation and Irish Aid celebrated the successful completion of English language training. The programme was developed and implemented by Vientiane College and Celtic School of English (Ireland) for 28 tourism and hospitality technical and vocational education training teachers coming to Vientiane from 15 public vocational institutions across the country. The programme adapted to many difficulties, with all parties working together to overcome the difficulties presented by the global pandemic in order to facilitate a new training programme that offered much more than originally intended.

  

  Ms Khamla Phetsythone from Luang Prabang Technical College brandishing her new English language programme certificate. Photo credit to Matthew Dakin

  The training programme was first envisaged as a four-work week language and cultural immersion programme where the Lao teachers would live with host families in Tralee, Ireland, study at the Celtic School of English and take part in work placements in early 2020. This was initially deferred to 2021, however the ongoing pandemic and travel restrictions made this impossible.

  In a new setting a new methodology was decided which would feature a blended approach. Therefore, the teachers took part of a mix of face-to-face classes in Vientiane College, combined with online learning facilitated by the Celtic School of English. This new model not only featured online platforms such as Zoom, Google Classroom and Kahoot, but also educated the teachers in how these technologies can be used in their own classrooms. 

  Students waving goodbye to Anne O'Keefe, Director of the Celtic School of English in Ireland, who joined the graduation ceremony via Zoom to wish the participants well. Photo credit to Matthew Dakin 

  “To us, it was clear that we wanted to find a way in spite of COVID to accompany the teachers on their English language journey” said Catherine Woods, Director of Administration at Vientiane College. “The goal was also to introduce teachers to ways in which they could potentially teach their own classes through an online approach which is becoming increasingly necessary as a way to adapt to COVID-19.’’

  This format was new to many of the Lao teachers, however they were guided through the process by the English teachers from both schools. The Lao teachers were provided with a tablet computer to access the online platforms and were mentored in how to use the devices. Classes had a strong emphasis on interactivity and engagement, with Saturday sessions focusing on engaging with Irish culture through interactive activities facilitated through online platforms. 

  This method proved to be a big hit with the teachers.

  It’s been great not just to upgrade my English skills, but also to learn how to teach English in a fun and effective way in my own classroom or even online – for instance, through songs, imitating real-life scenarios or even quizzes, which is also how we were taught about Irish culture, which has been one of my favourite parts of the entire programme.

                                  Ms Khamla Phetsythone, Luang Prabang Technical College

  Training participants seized the opportunity to capture photos with their English teachers who acocmpanied them on their English Language journey over the past five weeks. Photo credit to Matthew Dakin

  By all reports the course has been a great success. The new skills that the teachers have gained go well beyond the language and cultural immersion originally envisaged by the programme. Due to the successful collaboration between all parties, the trainee teachers have also finished the programme with a new appreciation and understanding of exciting new ways of teaching. These online platforms will no doubt be key to further enhancing the quality of learning TVET tourism and hospitality students will receive on their way towards shaping the future of Lao tourism.

  The English language training programme was supported by Irish Aid and the Skills for tourism project (LAO/029), which is co-funded by the governments of Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Switzerland, and implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency. 

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• • 31 Août
  • Par Ben WANDIVINIT
  • 
  • Bureau régional de Vientiane LAO/029
  • Éducation - Formation et Insertion professionnelles
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  LAOS - Lao Thiao Lao launches its own ‘What’s Up Laos’ App

  Following the successful implementation of the Lao Thiao Lao national tourism marketing campaign led by the private sector over the past year, the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) is now pushing the campaign to greater heights by launching its own app called What’s Up Laos. 

  The app was launched by Mr Inthy Deuansavanh, who has also been spearheading the successfull Lao Thiao Lao campaign on behalf of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Photo credit to the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry

  According to the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Lao Thiao Lao campaign has had an undeniable impact on the tourism and hospitality sector, both for customers and businesses. More than 5 million unique users have been reached since September 2020, and private sector businesses have contributed over LAK 400 million of services which were used to support popular online influencers to visit and promote destinations, and to run bi-monthly online competitions. To date, the Lao Thiao Lao page has accumulated over 75,000 followers and with the assistance of paid promotions has had an average reach of 1.7 million people per month since its launch.

  Based on a President of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the campaign reached people from regional markets such as Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and China, even though international tourism was not the main target. This was unexpected, but it is shown that the campaign has a lot of potential to grow. The What’s Up Laos App is therefore not just an important step towards keeping up the momentum of Lao Thiao Lao, but also towards paving the way to a campaign of greater regional scope.

  

  The logo of the newly designed app. 

  The app comes with two possible user accounts: one for ‘guest’ users which is targeted towards consumers who want to find out about the latest events and hotel deals in specific locations, and one for ‘business’ owners who would like to showcase their services, special promotions and packages. Business users can upload logos, photos, location, special offers, events and contact details, while guests will have the possibility to research and connect with more than 200 businesses that are already registered on the app. 

  The What’s Up Laos App is available on the Google Play Store, can be directly downloaded by visiting  ‘whatsuplaos.la’ or by QR code.  

  

  For those interested, the app can be downloaded with this QR code.

  Both the Lao Thiao Lao campaign as well as the development of the What’s Up Laos app were supported by the Skills for Tourism Project (LA0/029) which is co-financed by the governments of Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Switzerland, and implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.

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