Dow Vietnam LLC and the Chemical Society of Viet Nam have launched a Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) education programme for chemistry students to improve the chemical industry’s future workforce.

The STEM programme is Dow’s hands-on education model aimed at empowering an innovation-driven workforce in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. It has been one of the reasons behind Dow’s success in many countries.

“We recognise that a highly responsible and well-qualified workforce is a crucial part of a sustainable economy. This belief leads us to bring Dow’s global STEM programme from the US to Viet Nam,” said Tomoyuki Sasama, general director, Dow Vietnam LLC. “We are devoted to a successful STEM programme here as evidence of our commitment to become Viet Nam’s sustainable partner.”

In Viet Nam, the initiative is specifically focused on chemistry with two key aims: educating chemistry students through field trips to rouse their passion for an occupation in chemistry, and offering them an opportunity to enter the chemical sector.

The programme includes seven field trips for 400 of the country’s best chemistry students; a specialised workshop to provide a common forum for chemistry lecturers, chemical manufacturers and managers to share their experience on industry workforce training; nurturing green chemistry and sustainable development of Viet Nam’s chemical industry.

“The STEM programme will help reduce the gap between theory and practicals in workforce training. Its foremost goal is to create a sustainable industry and a new workforce that is focused on responsible care and on green chemistry,” said Le Quoc Khanh, chairman of Chemical Society of Viet Nam.

It is one of Dow Vietnam’s many social programmes working towards community sustainability since the past two decades. Amcham has recognised the company’s contribution by giving it the prestigious CSR recognition award for two consecutive years, 2015 and 2016.

Dow, through its representative office of Dow Chemical International Limited in HCM City, has had a presence in Viet Nam since 1995 to promote trade, market research and technical exchanges between the company and local enterprises in the manufacturing industry.

Dow’s products are used by local manufacturers to make cleaning solutions, for construction and infrastructure, and in appliances, electronics, car manufacturing, footwear, leather and the packaging industries. — VNS