FPT Education inaugurated its online university FUNiX on 13 October, being the first of its kind in Vietnam offering undergraduate degrees and certificates.

The full training programme is designed to spread over eight semesters, aiming to prepare students with skills to pursue the career of a Digital citizen, in Mobile application programming, Entrepreneur application programming, IT working environment familiarisation, Basic software engineering, Business environment familiarisation, Information system specialist, and Software engineering.

Students will receive a certificate after each semester and are able to start joining the world of work in the relevant area at any time rather than having to wait until graduating. On completion the full training programme, students will receive a university degree recognised by the Ministry of Education and Training.

FUNiX will also incorporate IT lessons taken from the US Universities of Standford, Harvard, RMassachusets and Institute of Technology in their curriculum and have the participation of experts from well-known companies as mentors.

Source: FPT University (Only available in Vietnamese)

Analysis by Nga Bui, Education Services Manager:

FPT Education is a member of the privatised IT services FPT Corporation, offering higher, further and pre-university education, ad English training.

Online training remains unpopular in Vietnam despite the high rate of internet users in Vietnam.  Most of the current on-line courses offered are English and short-term skills-based programmes.  FPT online model if successful will signal a new playground for online course providers.   However, recruitment and on-going support during the course should be done in partnership with a local partner institution.