INTRODUCTION TO THE COLLEGE

INTRODUCTION

VOCATIONAL COLLEGE OF MACHINERY AND IRRIGATION (VCMI)

Name of the college: Vocational College of Machinery and Irrigation
Abbreviation: VCMI
Main Campus: Thanh Hoa Quarter, Ho Nai Ward, Trang Bom District, Dong Nai Province, Vietnam.

Training Campus: Ong Huong Quarter, Trang Dai Ward, Dong Nai Province
Phone/Fax: 0251.3968206 / 061.3968.203
Email: cogioivathuyloi@gmail.com
Website: https://en.vcmi.edu.vn/
Date of first establishment: August 28, 1976
Date of establishment as a Vocational College: June 20, 2017
Type: Public educational institution under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

History of Formation and Development

After the liberation of the South and national reunification, the Mechanized Worker School No. 3 was established on the basis of taking over the Go Cong Mechanical Technical Worker School, under Decision No. 1206/QĐ-TC dated August 28, 1976 of the Ministry of Water Resources (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development).
The School’s mission was to train technical workers to contribute to the agricultural mechanization movement and post-war reconstruction. Its first campus was located at 91 Trung Nu Vuong Street, Go Cong Dong Town, Tien Giang Province.

In 1979, to meet the growing demand for skilled labor in the agricultural sector in southern provinces, the School opened Branch No. 2 in Duong Minh Chau Town, Tay Ninh Province, to train workers for the construction of Dau Tieng Reservoir. Two years later, this branch became an independent institution – the Vocational School of Water Resources Construction Enterprises No. 4, under Decision No. 507/QĐ-TCCB dated July 30, 1981 of the Minister of Water Resources.

On September 13, 1986, the Minister of Water Resources issued Decision No. 434 to merge the two schools into Vocational School of Mechanization No. 3, responsible for training skilled workers in mechanics, mechanization, industrial and civil electricity, and electric pump operation to meet the manpower needs for water resources, hydropower, and local economic development projects.
The school relocated to its current address in Thanh Hoa Hamlet, Ho Nai 3 Commune, Trang Bom District, Dong Nai Province.

From this location, the school trained and supplied technical labor for major projects such as Tri An Hydropower Plant – the first hydropower project built in southern Vietnam after national reunification – and later for Da Teh Reservoir (Lam Dong), Thach Nham Reservoir (Quang Ngai), Dong Xoai Reservoir, Dong Nai 3 Hydropower Plant (Dak Nong), Song Than Container Port, and the Mekong Delta irrigation canal systems.
These projects have made significant contributions to Vietnam’s socio-economic development in the post-war era.

In 2006, responding to the rapid expansion of industrial zones in Dong Nai and southeastern provinces, the Intermediate School of Electromechanics and Water Resources of the Southeast Region was established under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development by upgrading the former Vocational School of Mechanization No. 3.

On October 17, 2008, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) issued Decision No. 1387/QĐ-BLĐTBXH to upgrade it to the Vocational College of Machinery and Irrigation.

Under the 2017 Law on Vocational Education, on June 20, 2017, MOLISA issued Decision No. 922/QĐ-LĐTBXH to rename the school Vocational College of Machinery and Irrigation (VCMI).

With a new name and a new vision, VCMI has continued its mission to become a High-Quality Green Vocational Training Center meeting international standards.

Outstanding Achievements

Over more than 40 years of development, the College has trained over 100,000 skilled workers for the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and for society, contributing to numerous national infrastructure projects.

February 28, 2008: Awarded the Third-Class Labor Medal by the President of Vietnam.
December 24, 2011: Awarded the Second-Class Labor Medal.
June 15, 2017: Awarded the First-Class Labor Medal for outstanding achievements in vocational education.

In addition, VCMI has received many commendations and emulation flags from the Prime Minister, central ministries, and Dong Nai Provincial People’s Committee for its excellence in training and national development movements.
Its Party Committee has been continuously recognized as an “Exemplary Clean and Strong Party Organization.”
The School’s Trade Union and Youth Union have also received numerous certificates of merit and commendations.

Training Activities

In 2014, VCMI was selected by the Prime Minister as one of 45 public vocational colleges to receive focused investment for becoming a High-Quality Vocational College by 2020 (Decision No. 761/QĐ-TTg, dated May 23, 2014).

The College currently offers multi-disciplinary technical training in fields such as:

Metal Cutting
Automotive Technology
Industrial Electricity
Mechatronics
Industrial Electronics
Business Accounting
Small and Medium Enterprise Management
Computer Network Administration
Data Processing
Machine Tool Maintenance
Fashion Garment Technology
Mechanized Cargo Handling
Construction Machinery Operation
Crane Operation
Automobile Driving

Training is provided at three levels: college, intermediate, and elementary, supplying technical manpower for southern Vietnam and international labor markets.

VCMI continuously updates its curricula, integrating modern scientific and technological advances and aligning with business needs.
It adopts flexible learning modes and places strong emphasis on “learning by doing” and enterprise satisfaction as key indicators of training quality.

Cooperation with Enterprises

With the motto “Learning goes hand in hand with practice”, VCMI maintains close partnerships with numerous enterprises.
Every year, it implements enterprise internships for both students and instructors, allowing them to gain direct experience in real production and service environments.

Key partner companies include:
Texma Vina Co., Ltd.; Hiep Anh Nhat Trading–Service–Engineering Co., Ltd.; Bac Quang Auto Co., Ltd. (Mitsubishi); Anh Nghia ANCL Co., Ltd.; Kaifa Vietnam Co., Ltd.; Duy Hiep Phuoc Construction Co., Ltd.; Hanh Phu Private Enterprise; BH Hot-Dip Galvanizing Co., Ltd.; Van Nghia Auto Co., Ltd.; Kim Cang Co., Ltd.; Hao Huan Technology Equipment Co., Ltd.; Kenda Rubber Co., Ltd.; Thai Hung Thinh Mechanical and Construction Co., Ltd.; Lam Tan Transport Trading Co., Ltd.; Binh Quang Consulting Construction Co., Ltd.; Teakwang Vina Co., Ltd.; Do Hung Anh Co., Ltd., and others.

International Cooperation

Amidst globalization and Industry 4.0, VCMI has expanded its international partnerships for infrastructure, technology transfer, and professional training.

With GIZ and KfW (Germany): Supported the establishment of VCMI as a High-Quality Green Vocational Training Center for Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar, providing modern facilities, green buildings, and advanced training equipment.
With JICA (Japan): Participated in the project “Strengthening Vocational Education in Vietnam”, receiving advanced electrical and mechanical training equipment meeting Japanese standards.
With Aus4Skills (Australia): Developed four APEC-standard occupations – Logistics Administration Officer, Warehouse Supervisor, Forklift Operator, and Warehouse Operator.
With Spain: Implemented social service projects offering sewing training courses for disadvantaged groups in Dong Nai Province.
With the U.S. Embassy: Implemented the Access Scholarship Program providing English training for disadvantaged students with strong academic performance.
With EVBB (European Association of Institutes for Vocational Training): Became an official member to access European training technologies and international skill standards.

Thanks to these collaborations, VCMI now meets the conditions to join international training programs and to deliver globally competent human resources.

Future Goals

By 2020 and beyond, VCMI aims to:

Become a High-Quality Vocational College per Decision No. 761/QĐ-TTg (May 23, 2014).
Become a High-Quality Green Vocational Training Center aligned with German standards.
Train high-level technical personnel in Mechanization, Mechanics, Automotive Technology, Electricity–Electronics, Refrigeration, and Information Technology.

Conclusion

For over four decades, the Vocational College of Machinery and Irrigation (VCMI) has achieved remarkable success in vocational training for technical workers serving national and regional development.
The College has built a strong reputation among enterprises and international organizations.
With its outstanding achievements and the trust of the Government and ministries, VCMI continues to participate in major national projects in vocational education.
In the coming years, the College will persist in its mission to become a Center of Excellence in Green Vocational Training, contributing to the development of a Green Economy in Vietnam and beyond.

Source: VCMI