In day-to-day workplace operations—whether from a technical perspective like construction management, materials engineering, and IT, or management and operations—engineers are often caught up in deadlines, costs, and optimization spreadsheets. However, the line between “Right” and “Wrong” in every decision remains incredibly thin. When caught at the crossroads of conflicting interests, which frame of reference will engineers choose?
To decode this “old yet ever-green” question, the Business Ethics & Corporate Social Responsibility course (offered by the School of Industrial Management for postgraduate students across all disciplines, including Engineering and MBA) featured a series of engaging panel discussions on the topic of “Professional Ethics”. The sessions were led by a seasoned industry expert: Mr. Le Phuoc Khoi – Deputy Director of the Gas Project Management Company, a subsidiary of Petrovietnam Gas Joint Stock Corporation (PV GAS).
📌 PROFESSIONAL ETHICS IS NEITHER THEORY NOR IMPRACTICAL!
Through the realistic lens of gritty projects, bidding wars, and complex construction phases, Mr. Le Phuoc Khoi distilled core takeaways for the students:
- Professional ethics is not far-fetched; it manifests daily through our smallest actions and attitudes.
- Professional ethics reflects personal value: How you practice your profession defines who you are. There is an unbreakable link between your professional conduct and your inner core values.
⚙️ THE DRIVERS SHAPING PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
When faced with a tough decision, our behavior does not exist in a vacuum but is strictly governed by a system of “filters”:
- State laws and industry regulations;
- Professional standards;
- Personal morals;
- Professional competence;
- Socio-cultural knowledge;
- Corporate ethics.
(Source: Trang et al., 2014)
💼 LEARNING FROM THE EXPERT
Moving far beyond pure textbook lectures, real-life case studies and costly lessons from major energy projects were brought directly into the classroom. The intersection of an Engineering Mindset, a Management Vision, and Integrity serves as the ultimate compass, guiding future managers to create sustainable value and build ironclad trust throughout their careers.
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Meet Our Industry Lecturer – Mr. Le Phuoc Khoi
With 7 years in engineering and medical equipment import-export, combined with over 23 years of project management expertise, Mr. Le Phuoc Khoi has directly participated in, directed, and managed numerous key projects in the gas industry. He has served as the Deputy Director of the Gas Project Management Company and acted as Project Director for various critical high-stake developments. Additionally, he is a talented event organizer and serves as the Standing Vice Chairman of the Trade Union at PV GAS.
Alongside his corporate leadership role, Mr. Khoi has been a seasoned guest lecturer, dedicated to generations of undergraduate and postgraduate students at Bach Khoa University (HCMUT) for over 17 years. With the motto of helping learners “learn from reality for career growth,” his sessions focus on bridging project management, technical procurement, and medical import-export with professional ethics, leadership capacity, and engineering responsibility in the era of integration and digital transformation.
