Current context and solutions enhancing scientific research competencies of students in the Faculty of Biotechnology, Chemical and Food Technologies, Can Tho University of Technology

Abstract

The study was conducted to reflect the advantages and disadvantages of students in reseach activities at the Faculty of Biotechnology, Chemical and Food Technologies, Can Tho University of Technology. The samples were 291 students, in the fields of Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering and Food Technology. Survey results showed that 64.6% of students had been informed of student's scientific research activities but had yet to acquire this skill; 100% of students believed that the research was simply conducting studies on given topics; the two most popular benefits when doing scientific research were added points to the graduation thesis and the faculty would provide facilities and technical equipment to do scientific research; 59.8% of students thought that scientific research was not important; 65.8% of students believed that lectucrers and academic advisers were the most reliable information sources for scientific research activities. In addition, the results indicated some difficulties of students when doing scientific research, including limitations in foreign languages ​​and the ability to search for and access scientific articles and specialized scientific journals; limited in time to carry out the topic due to exam and class schedules; limited in terms of funding. Based on the studying, several solutions to improve scientific research capacity for students of the Faculty are proposed.