The 10th Job Fair and Education Event 2024 at Sokpaluang Campus, Faculty of Engineering (FEN), National University of Laos (NUOL) was a great success!

JICA HUGETECH Project has supported the Job Fair & Education Event based on the FEN's Long-Term/Mid-Term Plan on Industry-University Collaboration with the aim of increasing employment opportunities for engineering students to contribute to the industrial development of Lao PDR, obtaining opportunities of R&D with companies, and increasing the enrollments with the strong science and math backgrounds by making FEN's education and research widely known to companies and high school students.

The 10^th Job Fair & Educational Event 2024 was successfully held on 24 May. More than 1,000 participants joined the event at the Sok Paluang Campus, FEN. They toured company booths and educational exhibitions of each department from FEN. In this event, 41 companies exhibited their booths, and more than 200 position vacancies opened for the FEN students, graduates, and general participants to apply. 40 companies kindly contributed to support the event and FEN on its education and research activity, such as the renovation of the classroom buildings, maintenance of experimental equipment, etc. As a result of the announcement through the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Lao PDR, among the companies, 5 Japanese companies (TOYO Industry Lao Factory Solo Co. Ltd, Epoch Toys (Lao) Co. Ltd, Lao Midori Safety Shoes Co. Ltd, Hitachi Elevator Laos Co. Ltd, AEON Leasing Service (Lao) Co. Ltd) participated in the event. Hopefully, this will strengthen the relationship between FEN, its graduates, and Japanese companies in the future.

Besides, approximately 300 high school students from seven schools in Vientiane also participated in the event. They visited the booths of each department and enjoyed the exhibits and posters. By communicating the attractiveness of FEN to high school students at this event, it is expected to increase the number of prospective students interested in entering FEN.

The feedback from the participants indicated that: many participants, including high school students and teachers, were pleased to explore the FEN, view academic exhibitions, and talk to FEN students and professors about their future majors. Companies reported that they could meet and interview the prospective engineers and showcase their business profile, which raised brand awareness in this industrial area, also, future partnerships with FEN will be advantageous. FEN students gladly attended all the activities, showing their enthusiasm in job hunting and this event.

The Job Fair & Education Event will be held again next year. The JICA HUGETECH Project will continue to support FEN students in finding employment and Industry-University Collaboration.

Source: The Project for Strengthening Human Resource Development of Engineering and Technology for Industry Development in Lao P.D.R. and Media Team of the Faculty of Engineering, National University of Laos