A Study on Developing a Practice-Oriented Curriculum Using Backward Design and Design Thinking: Focusing on the Case of Cosmetics Engineering Major in Vietnam

This study aimed to develop a practice-oriented curriculum based on industry demands for students majoring in Cosmetic Engineering at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology in Vietnam, by integrating backward design and design thinking.The curriculum was structured following the three stages of backward design-identifying desired results, determining acceptable evidence, and planning learning experiences-and applied the five phases of design thinking as instructional strategies to guide learners through structured, creative problem-solving experiences.This study holds academic significance in that it presents a practical case of systematically applying backward design, a representative model of outcomes-based curriculum design, and design thinking, a method for fostering creative problem-solving, within the context of higher vocational education.Furthermore, from a practical perspective, the curriculum was designed to enable learners to develop competencies aligned with industry needs through project-based learning.Learning outcomes and assessment criteria were jointly developed with local university faculty and industry professionals, thereby enhancing field relevance and the reliability of evaluation.By presenting detailed procedures and application possibilities for designing a practice-oriented curriculum in higher vocational education, this study offers meaningful implications for future curriculum development and policy formulation.However, the lack of empirical research on classroom implementation remains a limitation, and future studies should verify the effectiveness of the model and explore its applicability across various industry sectors.