The renowned philosopher Plato once said: “Practice without theory is like a sailor boarding a ship without a rudder and compass, not knowing where he will drift. However, learning without practice is like a farmer who keeps plowing but never sows seeds.” Recognizing the importance of balancing theory and practice, on June 29, the Faculty of Life Sciences organized a factory visit to Bong Sen – a Nestlé Vietnam facility for more than 30 Food Technology students, aiming to provide USTHers with greater exposure to real-world industry practices.
Upon arrival at Bong Sen, the students were warmly welcomed by Mr. Urs Kloeti, Factory Director, along with department heads. In addition to expressing their pleasure and appreciation in hosting the students, the factory’s leadership also hoped to provide valuable practical knowledge, while demonstrating their intention to establish long-term collaboration with the University. Following the welcome session, students were introduced to the modern technologies applied at the factory, as well as its operational and maintenance processes, before observing the production lines firsthand.
During the one-hour site tour, students had the opportunity to observe the operation of machinery and equipment at Bong Sen, gaining deeper insights into the scale and system of one of Vietnam’s leading food manufacturing plants. Throughout the visit, as they explored different departments, many of the students’ questions were thoroughly answered by operational engineers and department leaders. Beyond that, students also received valuable advice and insights on career orientation, learned about the skills and preparation needed for the future, and were inspired by success stories shared by Nestlé employees.
With the principle of “learning by doing,” field trips and practical visits are regularly organized as part of USTH’s training program, helping students gain hands-on experience and better orientation for their studies and future careers. The memorable experiences from the visit to Bong Sen – Nestlé factory concluded with great enthusiasm from the students, further enriching their journey toward achieving their dreams as Food Technology students of the Faculty of Life Sciences.
Some photos from the visit to Bong Sen Factory:
