TTLV: Applying specific mechanisms in implementing policies to attract highly qualified scientific staff in higher education institutions (case study of Hanoi National University)

INFORMATION ABOUT THE MASTER'S THESIS

1. Student's full name:Nguyen Thi Thanh Van2. Gender:Female

3. Date of birth: 20/08/1997

4. Place of birth:Hai Duong

5. Decision on student admission number:Decision No. 5626/QD-XHNV dated December 29, 2023, of the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

6. Changes in the training process:Are not

7. Thesis title:Applying specific mechanisms in implementing policies to attract highly qualified scientific staff to higher education institutions (case study of Hanoi National University)

8. Major:Public Policy; Code: 8340402

9. Scientific supervisor:Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, Faculty of Management Science, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi

10. Summary of the thesis results:

This thesis focuses on analyzing the application of special mechanisms in policy implementation to attract highly qualified scientific staff at Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) during the period 2021-2024. Through document research, interviews, and questionnaire surveys, the thesis describes and evaluates the current state of application of special mechanisms in policy implementation to attract highly qualified scientific staff at VNU. Practical results indicate that although VNU has issued many special mechanisms in policy implementation to attract highly qualified scientific staff, the effectiveness of attraction has not met expectations. Based on the theory of policy mechanisms, the author identifies one of the main causes of this situation as limitations in institutional and information mechanisms. A survey of the opinions of officials directly implementing special mechanisms to attract highly qualified scientific staff at VNU reveals an urgent need for the application of more flexible special mechanisms. This thesis proposes a new, specific mechanism model based on increasing autonomy for member higher education institutions in recruitment, finance, and career development, while also improving implementation processes and information systems. The proposed solutions are expected to enhance the attractiveness of VNU in attracting highly qualified researchers, thereby contributing to building VNU into a leading research university.

11. Practical applications:

This thesis has high practical applicability; the proposed solutions are directly developed from the governance context and resource conditions of Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU), and are consistent with the current legal framework. The specific mechanisms for flexible recruitment, decentralization of autonomy to member higher education institutions, and improvement of the information system can be implemented immediately, helping to overcome current limitations in attracting highly qualified scientific staff and potentially impacting VNU's human resource competitiveness. The solutions are also highly feasible due to their reliance on VNU's three-tiered governance model and leveraging the granted level of autonomy. Furthermore, the thesis proposes measures to control risks, ensure transparency, and evaluate outcomes, making them easy to implement and sustainable in practice. Therefore, the research results can be used as a basis for advising on the development of policy mechanisms for VNU, and also as a reference model for other public universities in the context of increasing competition for scientific personnel.

12. Future research directions:

The thesis could be further expanded in two prominent research directions. Firstly, in-depth research into the effectiveness of implementing specific mechanisms at the level of member higher education institutions, through impact assessment based on input-process-output-impact factors, thereby accurately measuring the contribution of each proposed specific mechanism to the ability to attract highly qualified scientific staff. This approach helps identify mediating variables, implementation risks, and differences between field groups, while providing empirical evidence for policy mechanism development. Secondly, the thesis could be developed in a comparative direction between Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) and other autonomous public universities or between Vietnam and some research universities in the region, thereby identifying the optimal model of specific mechanisms and the necessary institutional conditions for successful operation. Both approaches have significant theoretical and practical implications, contributing to the refinement of the policy framework for attracting high-quality scientific personnel in the current competitive labor market.

13. Published works related to the thesis:Do not have

INFORMATION ON MASTER'S THESIS

1. Full name:Nguyen Thi Thanh Van2. Sex:Female

3. Date of birth: 20/08/1997                    4. Place of birth:Hai Duong

5. Admission decision number:Decision No. 5626/QD-XHNV Dated 29/12/2023

6. Changes in academic process:None

7. Official thesis title:Applying specific mechanisms to implement policies to attract highly qualified scientists in higher education institutions (a case study of Vietnam National University, Hanoi)

8. Major:Public Policy9. Code: 8340402

10. Supervisors:Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, Faculty of Management Science, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

11. Summary of the findings of the thesis:

The thesis focuses on analyzing the application of special mechanisms in the implementation of policies aimed at attracting highly qualified scientists at Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) during the period 2021–2024. Through document analysis, interviews, and survey methods, the study describes and evaluates the current implementation of these special mechanisms at VNU. Empirical findings indicate that although VNU has introduced multiple special mechanisms to attract highly qualified scientists, the effectiveness of these efforts has not met expectations. Drawing on policy mechanism theory, the author argues that one of the main reasons for this situation lies in the limitations of institutional mechanisms and information mechanisms. Survey results from practitioners directly involved in implementing these mechanisms further reveal an urgent need for more flexible special mechanisms. The thesis proposes a new model of special mechanisms based on enhanced autonomy for member institutions in recruitment, finance, and career development, while also improving implementation processes and information systems. These solutions are expected to strengthen VNU's competitiveness in attracting highly qualified scientists, thereby contributing to its development toward an international research university model.

12. Practical applicability:

The thesis demonstrates high practical applicability, as the proposed solutions are directly grounded in the governance context and resource conditions of VNU, and are aligned with the current legal framework. The special mechanisms related to flexible recruitment, delegated autonomy for member higher education institutions, and improvements in the information system can be implemented immediately, helping to address existing limitations in attracting highly qualified scientists and potentially enhancing VNU's competitiveness in scientific human resources. The considerations of these solutions are strengthened by their compatibility with VNU's three-tier governance model and the level of institutional autonomy already granted. In addition, the thesis proposes risk-mitigation measures that ensure transparency and output-based evaluation, thereby supporting ease of implementation and long-term sustainability. Hence, the research findings can serve as a foundation for policy formulation within VNU and as a reference model for other public universities in the context of increasing competition for scientific talent.

13. Further research directions:

The thesis can be further expanded along two prominent research directions. First, it may conduct an in-depth investigation into the effectiveness of special mechanisms at the level of VNU's member universities by evaluating their impacts across the dimensions of inputs, processes, outputs, and outcomes. This approach would allow for a more precise measurement of the contribution of each proposed special mechanism to attract highly qualified scientists, while also identifying intermediary variables, implementation risks, and variations across disciplinary groups. Second, the thesis may be extended through comparative research between VNU and other autonomous public universities, or between Vietnam and selected research universities in the region. Such comparisons would help identify optimal models of special mechanisms and the institutional conditions required for their effective operation. Both research directions possess significant theoretical and practical value, contributing to the refinement of policy frameworks for attracting high-quality scientific talent in an increasingly competitive higher education context.

14. Thesis-related publicationsNone