The Faculty of Information Technology (IT), established in September 1990, is one of the founding faculties of Ho Chi Minh City Open University. Over nearly 35 years of development, the Faculty has assembled a dedicated and experienced team of permanent lecturers, including PhDs and Masters who have graduated from prestigious universities both domestically and internationally. Additionally, adjunct lecturers from reputable universities, enterprises, and research institutes in Ho Chi Minh City contribute to the faculty. The Faculty has trained and supplied approximately 5,500 graduates in IT-related disciplines (Computer Science, Informatics, and Management Information Systems) and thousands of non-regular Informatics graduates.

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In 2021 and 2022, the Management Information Systems program achieved accreditation from the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET), and the Computer Science program received accreditation from the ASEAN University Network (AUN).

The Faculty trains IT professionals with strong ethics, theoretical knowledge, and proficient practical skills, capable of addressing new issues in the field, thus contributing to the industrialization and modernization of the country through the informatization of economic management, production management, social management, education management, and more.

It is a point of pride that alumni from the Faculty have become proficient IT staff, programmers, and researchers at companies both domestically and in developed countries, or have become lecturers at colleges and universities, or have taken on executive and managerial positions at companies, enterprises, and research institutes. Many alumni have pursued higher education (Master’s and PhD) at prestigious institutions both in Vietnam and abroad after completing their undergraduate programs.

I. INTRODUCTION TO THE 4-YEAR UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS

The Faculty currently offers 6 career-oriented undergraduate programs: Computer Science, Information Technology, Enhanced Information Technology with Japanese Language, Management Information Systems, Artificial Intelligence (standard program), and Computer Science (high-quality program).

1. Computer Science (Program Code: 7480101)

The Computer Science program educates graduates with in-depth knowledge of computer science, meeting the demands of research, development, and implementation of IT applications. Graduates can work as programmers, software developers, intelligent application developers, business analysts for software projects, software testers, researchers and developers of intelligent solutions, data analysts, network application developers, network designers and administrators, trainers, and researchers. There are four specialized tracks with specific focuses:

2. Information Technology (Program Code: 7480201)

The Information Technology program trains graduates with comprehensive expertise and the ability to operate, manage, and develop IT applications, meeting the workforce needs in various specialized fields.

Specialized tracks include: Computer Networks, Information Systems, Software Engineering, Computer Graphics – Computer Vision, and Databases – Data Mining.

After completing the program, graduates in Information Technology can work in the following positions:

• Software development, production, and project management programmers.
• Data analysis and mining specialists.
• Information systems, web, and e-commerce management and operation specialists.
• Network design, deployment, and administration specialists.
• Information security and safety specialists.
• Consultants, advisors, trainers, and researchers in the IT field.

Information Technology Enhanced with Japanese Language (Program Code: 7480201)

The Enhanced Information Technology with Japanese Language program trains graduates with political qualities, social responsibility, health, knowledge, and professional skills in the IT field, capable of working in environments using both English and Japanese, thus fostering career and personal development in the context of national integration and development.

After completing the program, graduates in this field can work as:

• Software developers and application programmers in their trained fields.
• Information systems, database systems, and web system management and operation specialists.
• Data analysis and mining specialists.
• Network design, deployment, and administration specialists.
• Information security and safety specialists.
• Trainers, researchers in the IT field.

3. Management Information Systems (Program Code: 7340405)

The Management Information Systems program educates graduates with in-depth knowledge in management information systems; capable of applying fundamental IT knowledge, economics, and management to manage information systems in enterprises.

Graduates in this field can work in various positions, such as:

4. Artificial Intelligence (Program Code: 7480107) – New

The Bachelor’s program in Artificial Intelligence is designed with an application-oriented approach. The goal is to create a workforce with solid foundational knowledge in AI and the ability to intelligently solve practical problems. Graduates will possess good political qualities and ethics, understand and apply AI achievements, and independently research and propose new methods in AI.

5. High-Quality Computer Science (Program Code: 7480101C)

The High-Quality Computer Science (CS) program is designed to train students to higher standards than the regular program, gradually approaching the quality of training at advanced universities worldwide. Key areas in CS such as AI, machine learning, and data science are intensively taught by experienced lecturers. Graduates will possess good ethics, discipline, responsibility, strong professional knowledge, proficient practical skills, high research capabilities, creativity, and the ability to apply research results in practice, analyze and solve practical problems, and confidently communicate in their specialized foreign language.

II. INTRODUCTION TO THE 2-YEAR UNIVERSITY BRIDGE PROGRAM

For college graduates The program duration is 1.5 to 2 years, following the university curriculum in Computer Science (with course exemption considerations).

III. INTRODUCTION TO THE MASTER'S PROGRAM IN COMPUTER SCIENCE

Details are available in the Master's Admission Notice in Computer Science.

IV. DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM

The training program is designed according to the credit-based system, drawing from advanced IT training programs from universities worldwide (referencing ACM standards). Courses emphasize application capabilities, practical skills, self-study, and independent research for students. A rich collection of teaching materials and reference books in both Vietnamese and English.

V. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Admissions are conducted within the university's general admission system, in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training. The Faculty admits students to all five programs (Computer Science, High-Quality Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence) through the following methods:

• Based on high school graduation exam results in subject groups A, A1, D1, and D7 (for Computer Science, High-Quality Computer Science, and Information Technology, Math scores are weighted double).
• Admission based on the academic records of 3 years of high school (grades 10, 11, and the first semester of grade 12).
• Direct admission and prioritized admission according to MOET regulations.
• Prioritized admission for students with excellent academic records for 3 years of high school.
• Prioritized admission for candidates with international baccalaureate (IB) results, Cambridge International A-level certificates, or SAT scores meeting standards.
• Direct admission for students with foreign language certificates meeting standards.

VI. GRADUATE OUTCOMES / CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

The IT sector has been, is, and will continue to be a key area to drive the country's economic development, receiving special attention from the Party and the State. In developed countries, the IT sector plays a crucial role in economic and social development. Therefore, graduates in IT fields (Computer Science, High-Quality Computer Science, Information Technology, Management Information Systems, etc.) are promised abundant career opportunities and stable jobs in domestic and international enterprises with attractive income.

Graduates have opportunities to work in companies and enterprises directly or indirectly involved in IT in Vietnam and in some developed countries (e.g., Japan, etc.). Graduates can engage in scientific research as researchers or teach at vocational schools, colleges, and universities in IT. Graduates from the Faculty of IT at Ho Chi Minh City Open University are present across the country in various fields, holding positions from programmers, software developers, IT staff, system administrators, specialists in economic, production, management agencies, and business sectors to leadership and teaching positions in colleges and universities. Most graduates secure employment after graduation. Statistics over many years show that the employment rate of graduates from the Faculty of IT – Ho Chi Minh City Open University is over 90%, with more than 50% securing jobs in their field of study before graduation. After working for 1-5 years, graduates can earn from USD 700 to USD 1500 per month. Exceptional cases can earn significantly higher, up to several thousand USD per month. In the future, the demand for IT workforce (Computer Science, High-Quality Computer Science, Information Technology, Management Information Systems, etc.) will remain high both domestically and internationally, especially in the era of Industry 4.0.

VII. DEGREE AWARDED

Upon completion of the program requirements, students are awarded a full-time regular university degree (with an academic performance classification, accompanied by a transcript appendix). Since the 2009 credit-based system, students no longer need to take a graduation exam but must complete the prescribed courses in the program.

VIII. HIGHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

College graduates can bridge to undergraduate programs. University graduates can pursue higher education such as Master's and PhD programs in Computer Science, Computer Networks, Information Technology, and Information Systems.

IX. PROGRAM CONTENT

The undergraduate programs comprise approximately 130 credits with a training duration of 4 years. Students may graduate earlier or later depending on their study plan and capabilities.

The curriculum includes two main blocks of knowledge:

• General education, including fundamental IT courses (basic programming, introduction to IT, etc.), instrumental courses such as mathematics, informatics, foreign languages, physical education, and national defense.
• Professional education, including foundational and specialized courses. At the specialized stage, students choose a major that suits their abilities and aspirations. For each orientation, students select appropriate courses to quickly adapt to the working environment after graduation.

Before graduating, students undergo an internship at companies and agencies involved in the IT field to practice applying theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios. Students can choose an internship unit that aligns with their career orientation.

X. STUDENT ACTIVITIES

The Faculty collaborates with enterprises in the IT field, applying theory to practice, providing scholarships, organizing company tours, holding annual career orientation and consultancy programs with the participation of alumni and enterprise representatives.

XI. STUDENT ACTIVITIES IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

To foster a passion for research and provide opportunities for knowledge application, the Faculty organizes annual student research and academic competitions such as the ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest (ACM/ICPC), IT Olympiad, Students’ Scientific Research Conferences, and weekly science and technology seminars.

XII. ACTIVITIES OF STUDENT ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS

To support students’ overall development, the Faculty organizes activities, movements, and social engagement such as: Green Summer Campaign, Voluntary Spring Campaign, weekly activities of the IT Club (e.g., student study and research support, supplementary training in essential skills, professional exchange with companies, enterprise visits, technical skill competitions), strengthening the solidarity and support among students, and contributing to the societal well-being.

OFFICE OF FACULTY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
6th Floor, Room 604, No. 35 - 37 Hồ Hảo Hớn, Cô Giang Ward, District 1, Hồ Chí Minh City, Việt Nam
Phone: (028) 3838.6603 - Website: it.ou.edu.vn - Email: fcs@ou.edu.vn