Special Em’s Education Group (SEEG) has officially signed an agreement with the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) to co-deliver a professional training programme to improve the quality of special education specialists in Vietnam.
As part of this collaboration, special education specialists and teachers from institutions across Vietnam will complete the “Understanding Autism” programme, accessible through SUSS’ UniLEARN e-learning platform.
About the Course “Understanding Autism”
The “Understanding Autism” online course draws on the collective expertise in autism and e-learning from SUSS and its close partner, Autism Resource Centre (ARC), a reputable institution in Singapore dedicated to advancing awareness, advocacy and empowerment for individuals with autism.
The partnership with ARC commenced in 2017, laying the groundwork for the development of the Understanding Autism online course. Launched in August 2019, this online course seeks to cultivate empathy for individuals with autism and their families and prompts a fundamental shift in attitudes by delving into real-world scenarios, such as a child experiencing distress in a shopping mall. Rather than reacting with annoyance, participants are encouraged to embrace understanding and compassion, thus fostering a more empathetic and inclusive society.
This online course has been conducted with several established companies, including Singapore Airlines, who sought to equip cabin crew with better skills and knowledge to serve passengers with autism. In addition, the course has also been conducted with educators, specifically SUSS alumni and current students involved in the early childhood education sector.
On behalf of SUSS UniLEARN, Associate Professor Gabriel Gervais, Director of Online Learning at SUSS, shared: “We are excited that the UniLEARN team at SUSS is collaborating with Embassy Education, our trusted partner in Vietnam, to introduce the “Understanding Autism” course to the Vietnamese community. Besides extending SUSS’ reach to the region, this collaboration leverages Singapore’s robust expertise and leadership in autism awareness to provide enhanced support and improved life opportunities for individuals with autism and their families throughout Southeast Asia.”
The “Understanding Autism” online course was designed by experts from ARC, namely Dr Sim Zi Lin, Psychologist and Autism Therapist, and Dr Lam Chee Meng, Principal Autism Consultant and Psychologist.
Graduated with a PhD in Psychology from the University of Auckland, Dr Lam Chee Meng has been trained in various assessment methods and intervention techniques, and is a practicing psychologist since 1985. He provides specialist autism training and coaching to professionals, educators, parents and caregivers.
Graduated with a Summa Cum Laude distinction from the University of California (UC), Berkeley, with a BA in Psychology, Dr. Sim Zi Lin is a Psychologist and Autism Therapist at the Autism Resource Centre (Singapore) responsible for training and coaching staff in designing autism-friendly learning environments.
About SUSS UniLEARN
SUSS UniLEARN is an e-learning initiative by the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) focused on making a positive social impact in our community. We envision creating a more inclusive society through engagement and empathy. Through our online platform, we raise social awareness to foster social change and cohesion.
Consistent with SUSS’ mission to provide lifelong education that equips learners to serve society, UniLEARN helps individuals develop personal skills and competencies to improve their lives and the lives of others around them.
For more information about SUSS UniLEARN, please visit https://www.suss.edu.sg/partnerships/unilearn.
About Singapore University of Social Sciences
At SUSS, we have a singular vision to be a university that inspires learning for life and impacts lives, regardless of age, background or life path. Our university is a vibrant tapestry of ages and experiences. From recent JC and polytechnic graduates to seasoned professionals, parents seeking new horizons and individuals redefining their careers in their golden years—our diverse community comes together for one common goal: to empower themselves with an education that impacts lives and society.
We offer more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programmes, available in full- and part-time study modes which are flexible, modular and interdisciplinary, catering to both fresh school leavers and adult learners. SUSS also offers a broad range of continuing education and training modular courses for the professional skills upgrading of Singapore’s workforce.
To date, over 47,000 graduates have experienced our unique brand of education. More than 21,000 students are currently pursuing their full- and part-time studies with us.
The Institute for Adult Learning (IAL), as part of SUSS, leads in the field of research on adult and workplace learning and training of adult educators to build capabilities of the training and adult education sector in Singapore and beyond.
For more information about SUSS, please visit www.suss.edu.sg.
About Special Em’s Education Group
Established in 2023, as a member of the Embassy Education ecosystem, Special Em’s Education Group provides services and programs for special children (children with autism, developmental delays, speech delays, etc. ).
“Not only does Special Em’s Education Group (SEEG), through our two organizations: Vietnamese Internation Clinic for Autism (VICA) and Special Em’s Education Center (SEEC), offer professional early intervention, it also creates a powerful and compassionate community where special rights children are listened to, understood and given opportunities to grow in their own ways. I hope that our children, who will be future global citizens and ambassadors will have lives with meaning, purpose, and dignity” – SEEG Founder Thanh Bui shared.
