M Minh Le.

Interdisciplinary MinorsResearch, Framework, and Advisory

01

Project Overview

Van Lang University is developing 25 interdisciplinary minors across 5 clusters, designed to recombine existing faculty and departments without requiring new institutional infrastructure. The initiative represents a significant strategic opportunity to strengthen the university's competitive position, respond to evolving employer demand, and align curriculum with the future of work.

This engagement will provide the research foundation, validated methodology, and practical recommendations Van Lang needs to move the project forward with confidence. The work will be grounded in labor market evidence and benchmarked against how leading universities worldwide have approached interdisciplinary programming, and will result in a board-ready deliverable.

02

Objectives

  1. Validate the interdisciplinary minors methodology through independent research and Columbia TC faculty review.
  2. Build a rigorous, evidence-based rationale that responds to labor market signals and future of work trends.
  3. Review and revise the proposed minors, recommend new combinations where appropriate, and identify programs to exclude or merge.
  4. Develop a prioritization framework and Year 1 pilot recommendation the board can act on.
  5. Produce a board-ready deliverable that ties together the research, framework, and recommendations.
03

Scope of Work

Phase 1 Research
  • Labor market scan: Vietnam employer demand and future of work signals (e.g., WEF Future of Jobs Report).
  • University benchmarking: how leading universities worldwide have approached interdisciplinary programs, what worked and what failed.
  • Competitive landscape: existing interdisciplinary offerings at peer Vietnamese universities to identify white space for Van Lang.
Phase 2 Framework Development
  • Develop a methodology and criteria for combining disciplines into coherent, market-responsive minors.
  • Consult and validate the framework with Columbia TC faculty to ensure academic rigor and credibility.
Phase 3 Recommendations & Deliverable
  • Apply the framework to review proposed minors, revise combinations, and recommend new ones where appropriate.
  • Develop a prioritization and execution plan for the Year 1 pilot cohort.
  • Final deliverable: a board-ready playbook covering the research, faculty-validated framework, evidence-based rationale, and recommended minor list.
04

Deliverables

  • Board-ready playbook (primary deliverable): research findings, validated framework, revised and prioritized minor recommendations, and Year 1 execution plan.
  • Labor market and benchmarking research summary.
  • Competitive landscape analysis of peer Vietnamese universities.
  • Columbia TC faculty review and sign-off on methodology.
05

Timeline and
Project Team

Project Timeline
2 to 3 weeks Completion by May 31, 2026
Lead Advisor
Minh Le Educational Strategist and Researcher, Teachers College, Columbia University
TC Faculty Review
Selected faculty from Teachers College, Columbia University Will review and validate the final framework

Dr. Joey Lee

Associate Professor of Teaching; Director, Games Research Lab; Coordinator, MA in Design and Development of Digital Games and MA in Communication and Education
Relevant cluster(s)Technology · Digital Innovation · Instructional Design

Dr. Lee's work sits at the intersection of game design, educational technology, and learning science. He runs TC's Games Research Lab and has led NSF-funded research on games for climate change education. His expertise spans VR/AR, gamification, instructional design, and EdTech ethics.

Dr. Richard Jochum

Associate Professor of Art and Education; Director of Creative Technologies, Macy Gallery
Relevant cluster(s)Arts · Humanities · Creative Technology · Design

Dr. Jochum developed TC's Creative Technologies curriculum concentration with a Provost's Investment Grant. He has a philosophy PhD and an MFA in sculpture and media art, and has published on creative technologies in art education (Springer, 2022). His work bridges art education, digital innovation, and international curriculum development.

Dr. Debra Noumair

Professor of Psychology and Education; Founder and Director, Executive Master's Program in Change Leadership (XMA)
Relevant cluster(s)Psychology · Business · Organization and Leadership

Dr. Noumair is an organizational psychologist who founded TC's Executive Master's in Change Leadership, a program with a strong presence in Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the US. She serves on faculty at Oxford Saïd Business School and HEC-Paris. Her expertise covers social-organizational psychology, systems change, and leadership development. She won TC's Teaching Award in both 2020 and 2022.

Dr. Jin Kuwata

Associate Professor of Teaching; Coordinator, Instructional Technology & Media Program and Learning with Technology (Online) Program; Director, COGMOS Design Lab
Relevant cluster(s)Technology · Instructional Design · Learning Sciences · AI in Education

Dr. Kuwata works at the intersection of learning design, cognitive science, and educational technology. He coordinates TC's Instructional Technology & Media program and directs the COGMOS Design Lab, where he mentors students on projects spanning learning analytics, interaction design, and AI-enhanced learning environments. His scholarly lens is rooted in constructivism, metacognition, computational thinking, and epistemic practices, with a strong emphasis on human-centered, ethics-aware design.

06

Investment

Description
Fee (USD)
Research, Framework Development, and Recommendations Phases 1–3 · Estimated 50–60 hours · Flat project fee
$9,100
Total Project Fee
$9,100

Payment terms 50% upon project commencement, 50% upon delivery of the final deliverable.

07

Terms and Conditions

  • This proposal is valid for 30 days from the date of issue.
  • Scope changes requested after project commencement may be subject to additional fees; any changes will be agreed upon in writing before work proceeds.
  • All research, frameworks, and deliverables produced under this engagement are for Van Lang University's internal use. Minh Le retains the right to reference the engagement in a general professional capacity.
  • Either party may terminate the engagement with 7 days written notice; work completed to that point will be billed at the agreed rate.