PART I: GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE TRAINING PROGRAM

1. Some information about the training program

- Name of the training specialization:

+ Vietnamese name: Information Science - Library Science

+ English name: Library and Information Science

- Name of the training program:

+ Vietnamese name: Information Science

+ English name: Information Science

- Training program code: 9320202

- Language of instruction: Vietnamese

- Standard training duration: 3 years for those with a master's degree, 4 years for those with a bachelor's degree.

- Name of the graduation certificate:

+ Vietnamese name: Doctor of Information Science

+ English title: Doctor of Philosophy in Information Science

2. Objectives of the training program

2.1. General Objectives

The doctoral program in Information and Library Science aims to train researchers capable of leading academic endeavors and creating new knowledge at the highest level in the field. Students are equipped with a comprehensive knowledge base, a solid theoretical foundation, modern research methods, and the ability to independently and creatively analyze and evaluate scientific findings. This fosters independent research capabilities, the creation of new knowledge, and the solving of practical problems. The program aims to cultivate scholars capable of addressing complex issues in the information and library sector within the context of digital transformation; possessing the capacity to organize and manage research; lead academic activities; publish internationally; and make effective contributions to the development of information and library systems, education, and society.

2.2 Specific Objectives

- Specific Objective 1 (O01): The training program helps learners master the advanced and in-depth knowledge system of the Information Science - Library Science major, combining foundational theory, modern research methods, and legal and ethical issues to serve theoretical and practical research. Learners will be able to analyze and evaluate scientific works, identify knowledge gaps, and develop new research directions in the field.

- Specific Objective 2 (O02): The training program helps learners develop independent and creative research capabilities, mastering modern research methods and tools to design, implement, and evaluate complex scientific projects in the field of information and library science. Learners will be able to build new models and solutions; publish research results in reputable journals; and effectively participate in academic exchange and critique activities domestically and internationally.

- Specific Objective 3 (O03): The training program helps learners develop academic autonomy, the ability to propose and lead high-level research, lead research groups, and organize academic activities. At the same time, learners demonstrate professional ethics, adhere to scientific standards, have a sense of social responsibility, and are committed to lifelong learning in order to contribute to the development of the Information and Library Science field.

3. Admission Information

3.1. Admission method: Selection based on evaluation of professional profiles according to the regulations of Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU-Hanoi);

3.2. Eligibility Criteria:

3.2.1. Requirements regarding diplomas, fields of study, and graduation classification

- Must have graduated with a Master's degree or a Bachelor's degree with a GPA of Excellent or higher in a relevant field, or have graduated with an equivalent qualification at level 7 according to the Vietnamese National Qualifications Framework in certain specialized fields relevant to Information Science. If the candidate requires supplementary courses, these must be completed before the decision to recognize them as a doctoral candidate is made.

- Diplomas issued by foreign educational institutions must undergo recognition procedures in accordance with current regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training and Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

3.2.2. Requirements regarding research competence and experience

Meet the entry requirements according to the training program standards issued by the Ministry of Education and Training and of the doctoral training program for which you are applying.

Candidates must demonstrate research experience through a master's thesis from a research-oriented training program. Specifically, candidates with an applied master's degree or a master's degree in a related field must complete supplementary courses, and candidates applying from a bachelor's program must be the author or co-author of at least one scientific publication. Scientific publications can be articles in specialized scientific journals or scientific reports published in the proceedings of national or international peer-reviewed scientific conferences or seminars, with relevant ISSN and ISBN related to the research field or topic, and recognized by the professorship/associate professorship council of the field/interdisciplinary area.

A research proposal should clearly state the proposed research topic, the research field; the reasons for choosing the field and topic; a brief overview of the research situation in that field domestically and internationally; research objectives; main research contents; research methods and expected results; reasons for choosing the training institution; implementation plan during the training period; the candidate's experience, knowledge, understanding, and preparation for undertaking the doctoral dissertation. The proposal may also suggest a supervisor.

A letter of recommendation from at least one scientist holding the title of professor, associate professor, or a doctorate in science or a PhD, who has worked professionally with the applicant and is knowledgeable in the field the applicant intends to research, is required. The letter of recommendation must include comments and assessments of the applicant regarding:

- The moral character, abilities and scientific research attitude, and professional qualifications of the applicant;

- For scientists who meet the criteria for supervising doctoral students and agree to act as thesis supervisors, additional comments should be included regarding the urgency and feasibility of the research topic and content; and clearly state the ability to mobilize doctoral students for research topics and projects, as well as the available funding for the doctoral students' research activities.

- Other comments and levels of support and recommendations for the candidate to pursue doctoral studies.

3.2.3. Foreign language requirements

Applicants who are Vietnamese citizens must meet the foreign language proficiency requirements in accordance with the foreign language output standards (one of the following languages: English, Russian, Chinese, French, German) of the training program, as evidenced by one of the following diplomas or certificates:

- A university degree or higher awarded by a foreign educational institution, a branch of a foreign educational institution in Vietnam, or a Vietnamese educational institution to a full-time student in a foreign language;

- A university degree in a foreign language or foreign language pedagogy awarded by a Vietnamese educational institution;

- Possess a foreign language certificate equivalent to level 4 according to the 6-level Foreign Language Proficiency Framework for Vietnam, valid for 2 years from the date of the exam to the date of application, issued by institutions accepted by the Ministry of Education and Training and Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

Foreign applicants applying for a doctoral program taught in Vietnamese must possess a Vietnamese language certificate at least at level 4 or higher according to the Vietnamese Language Proficiency Framework for Foreigners, or have graduated from a university (or equivalent level or higher) in a program taught in Vietnamese, and must meet the requirements for a second foreign language as stipulated by the program (if any), except in the case of native speakers of the language used in the doctoral program.

3.2.4 Other requirements

- A clean personal record, not currently serving a criminal sentence or subject to disciplinary action at the level of a warning or higher.

- I am healthy enough to study.

- I commit to fulfilling my financial obligations during the training period as stipulated by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

3.3. List of suitable industries

- This field is in the same group as Information Science.

- The field of study is defined in the training program standards issued by the Ministry of Education and Training.

- For cases where there are no established training program standards for the corresponding field or group of disciplines, the specialized unit must have a scientific and practical basis, determined by the Scientific and Training Council of the specialized unit and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, to identify the discipline with the closest professional foundation to the training program and determine the corresponding supplementary courses (if needed); report to VNU before enrollment and be responsible for this professional evaluation.

3.4. Projected enrollment size

- According to the quotas granted annually by Vietnam National University, Hanoi (expected to be 5-10 doctoral candidates per year)

- The admission plan follows the regulations and guidelines for postgraduate admissions of VNU Hanoi each year, and the admission scheme of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities approved by VNU Hanoi (if any).

PART II: LEARNING OUTCOMES OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM

1. Requirements regarding thesis quality

- A doctoral dissertation must be the result of the doctoral candidate's scientific research, containing new theoretical and practical contributions in the specialized field, valuable in developing and increasing scientific knowledge, and comprehensively addressing the problem posed in the dissertation; the work must solve a significant scientific or practical problem, placed within a clear theoretical and experimental context, based on an appropriate research methodology, and implemented on a foundation of strict scientific ethics. The dissertation must demonstrate the doctoral candidate's ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate existing knowledge; proving new discoveries, models, methods, or solutions that are creative and have practical value.

- Doctoral candidates must present their research content and plan to the relevant department no later than three months after receiving their dissertation topic and report on their research results every six months during the dissertation period. The evaluation results of these reports are a condition for considering whether the doctoral candidate is eligible to defend their dissertation.

- The dissertation content must be certified and signed by the doctoral student.

- The structure of a doctoral dissertation must include at least the following sections:

+ Introduction: Briefly introduce the research project, the reasons for choosing the topic, the purpose, the subject, the scope of the research, the research methods, and the scientific or practical significance of the topic;

+ Overview of the research problem: Analyze and evaluate research works directly related to the dissertation topic that have been published domestically and internationally, identify the issues that the dissertation will focus on solving, determine the objectives of the topic, content and research methods;

+ Theoretical basis, scientific reasoning and hypotheses; research methods; research results and analytical evaluation;

+ Conclusion and recommendations: Present new findings and conclusions drawn from the research results; make recommendations for further research;

+ List of references cited and used in the thesis;

+ A list of published works/articles related to the doctoral dissertation topic, along with written consent from co-authors (if any);

+ Appendix (if any).

- Comply with intellectual property protection regulations as stipulated in the Intellectual Property Law: The research results in the dissertation must be the result of the doctoral candidate's own work, primarily obtained during their training period. If using the results or materials of others, the author's consent must be obtained and clearly cited. If the dissertation is a scientific work or part of a scientific work of a group in which the doctoral candidate made the main contribution, documents showing the consensus of the members of that group agreeing to allow the doctoral candidate to use the group's collective results in writing the dissertation must be presented.

- Dissertations and all scientific research papers must be checked for plagiarism and duplication before being submitted for publication, presentation, or defense.

- The dissertation must be written in Vietnamese, using Unicode encoding, Times New Roman font, size 13, and no more than 200 A4 pages for natural sciences, engineering, and technology fields, and no more than 300 pages for other fields, excluding appendices. It must include a declaration by the doctoral candidate regarding the content of the dissertation, with at least 50% of the pages dedicated to the candidate's own research results and arguments.

- The dissertation abstract must accurately reflect the structure, layout, and content of the dissertation, and must include the full text of the dissertation's conclusion. The dissertation information sheet should be approximately 3 to 5 pages (300 to 500 words) in both Vietnamese and English, summarizing the basic content, new content, and the most important research results and contributions of the dissertation.

- Encourage doctoral students to write and defend their dissertations in English or other foreign languages.

2. Research competency requirements

- Doctoral students must demonstrate in-depth, comprehensive, and independent research capabilities throughout their training. They need to master the theoretical foundations of their field, become proficient in modern research methods and tools, and be able to identify and implement research directions appropriate to the scientific problem at hand.

- Doctoral candidates must be able to accurately collect, process, analyze, and interpret scientific data; and evaluate and synthesize knowledge from domestic and international research to build a solid theoretical foundation for their thesis. In addition, students need to be able to identify research gaps, propose hypotheses, design research models, and implement them using transparent and systematic scientific methods.

- Research competence also includes the ability to write academically, publish results in specialized journals; participate in academic exchanges, critiques, and discussions domestically and internationally; and strictly adhere to research ethics standards.

- The research results of the dissertation must be published in a specialized scientific journal as the main author (first name/corresponding author), with a total score of 2.0 points or more, calculated according to the maximum score stipulated by the State Council of Professors for each type of work (no point division when there are co-authors). International publications must be written in a foreign language; articles published in domestic specialized scientific journals included in the list stipulated by the State Council of Professors must have a minimum evaluation score of 0.75 points and must meet one of the following criteria:

+ Have at least one article published in a scientific journal listed in the Web of Science or Scopus database (hereinafter referred to as WoS/Scopus database);

+ Possess one granted patent/utility model and at least one international article/report in one of the following publications: (i) a reference book chapter published by a reputable international publisher, or (ii) a monograph published by a reputable international publisher, or (iii) a report in the proceedings of a peer-reviewed international conference with an ISBN, or (iv) an article published in a peer-reviewed, reputable foreign scientific journal with an ISSN;

+ Two international articles/reports in one of the following publications: (i) reference book chapters published by reputable international publishers, or (ii) monographs published by reputable international publishers, or (iii) reports in peer-reviewed international conference proceedings with ISBN, or (iv) articles published in peer-reviewed foreign professional scientific journals with ISSN.

3. Knowledge Output Standards

PLO 01. To critically and systematically evaluate the advanced knowledge base of the Information and Library Science discipline by examining leading theories and representative research works domestically and internationally, thereby identifying knowledge gaps and orienting research issues with scientific significance in the context of digital transformation.

PLO 02. Develop new theoretical frameworks, academic models, or research approaches based on the integration of interdisciplinary knowledge, thereby expanding, deepening, and enhancing the scientific foundation of the field of information and library science.

4. Skill Output Standards

PLO 03. Designing high-level scientific research by selecting and applying advanced research methods to develop and test hypotheses in the complex contexts of the Information and Library Science field.

PLO 04. Conduct in-depth analysis of data, phenomena, and scientific problems to build rigorous arguments and evidence with high academic value and the ability to contribute to the development of knowledge in the field.

PLO 05. Publish new research results with theoretical or practical significance through scientific publications and academic exchange activities domestically and internationally, demonstrating independent scientific thinking and in-depth academic communication skills.

5. Output standards regarding the level of autonomy and responsibility

PLO 06. Initiating new programs, topics, or research directions with scientific and practical value in the field of information and library science, demonstrating the ability to define problems, select approaches, and take academic responsibility for research decisions in complex and unprecedented contexts.

PLO 07. To preside over and be responsible for research and academic activities through organizing and coordinating research groups, ensuring compliance with scientific and professional ethical standards, and maintaining and spreading a commitment to continuous professional development and lifelong learning within the academic community.

6. Job positions that students can take on after graduation.

After graduation, doctoral graduates can take on teaching and research positions at universities and research institutes; senior specialist positions at libraries, information centers, government agencies, or businesses; consultant positions in digital transformation projects, knowledge management, intellectual property, and open data; or hold academic leadership and professional management roles in information and library organizations. These positions require independent research capabilities, the ability to analyze and create new knowledge, strategic thinking, academic leadership skills, and adherence to professional standards.

7. Opportunities for further learning and professional development after graduation.

After graduation, students can further develop their research capabilities through postdoctoral research positions domestically and internationally, participate in or lead interdisciplinary scientific projects, expand their international academic network, increase the publication of high-quality scientific papers, and mentor doctoral and master's students. Simultaneously, students can continue lifelong learning to enhance their professional expertise, scientific leadership skills, and make sustainable contributions to the development of the information and library science field and related interdisciplinary fields.

PART III: TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT METHODS

1. Teaching methods

- Lectures: The lecturer gives a lecture on a given topic, and the students listen, take notes, and discuss as required by the lecturer.

- Group learning: The instructor divides the class into learning groups and assigns learning tasks. The groups complete the assigned tasks on time.

- Problem-based learning: instructors provide problems related to the learning content, and learners are assigned to solve these problems individually or in groups.

- Teaching through discussion: The instructor prepares discussion topics, learners present their personal views and discuss with group or class members, participating in analysis and contributing to other opinions. The instructor summarizes and concludes the issue.

- Students independently read materials, attend lectures, and search for and research relevant documents related to the course content.

- Students participate in classroom activities organized and guided by the instructor, engaging in group/individual activities.

- Students conduct doctoral research projects under the guidance of their supervisors, with the content of the projects serving as the basis for their doctoral dissertation in Information and Library Science.

2. Evaluation methods

- Regular assessment: Attitude towards participating in theoretical classes + Discussion and group work.

- Midterm assessment: Individual or group assignments, in the form of a presentation or essay.

- Final exam/assessment: Essay (individual or group).

- For review essays and specialized papers: These will be evaluated by a subcommittee, in accordance with the requirements of the current doctoral training regulations.

- For dissertations: Evaluation will be conducted by a committee, based on the requirements regarding the form, content, and quality of the dissertation, in accordance with current doctoral training regulations.

PART IV: TRAINING PROGRAM CONTENT

1. Summary of training program requirements

1.1. For PhD candidates with a master's degree

Total number of credits to be accumulated: 92 credits, including:

1.2 For PhD candidates who do not yet have a master's degree
Total number of credits to be accumulated: 123 credits, including:

2. Training program framework

2.1. For PhD candidates with a master's degree

2.2. For PhD candidates who do not yet have a master's degree.

Note: One credit is equivalent to 50 hours of student-standard learning, including time spent observing lectures, guided learning, self-study, research, experiences, and participating in tests and assessments; for classroom teaching activities, one credit requires a minimum of 15 hours of lectures or 30 hours of practical work, experiments, and discussions, with one classroom hour counted as 50 minutes.

(1): Theory

(2): Practice, Experiment, Discussion

(3): Internship, Research, Self-study with assessment