In the context of a rapidly developing digital economy and the impact of artificial intelligence on all aspects of socio-economic life, the need for information and data management for individuals, organizations, and businesses is more urgent than ever. Those who master data and information gain a significant competitive advantage. This poses a challenge for universities in training information management professionals to meet the demands of society.
According to the World Bank, we are entering a digital economy where data, information, and knowledge are used as resources for economic and social development. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum affirms that the production, distribution, and use of knowledge and information have become the main drivers of growth, wealth creation, and employment in all economic sectors. It is clear that information plays a crucial role in the digital economy. However, in the current digital transformation process, data and information about customers, products, partners, competitors, finance, human resources, etc., are not being organized optimally in many organizations and businesses; regular data collection is not being implemented. Therefore, training a team of professional and high-quality information managers is essential in the current context.
Information management is an interdisciplinary science concerning the organization and utilization of information and data, encompassing: information gathering, information processing, information organization, analysis and evaluation, and information distribution to users in the most efficient way possible, meaning providing information that meets the right needs, reaches the right audience, at the right time, and at an appropriate price.
The Information Management program trains high-quality human resources in the field of information management to serve economic development in the context of digital transformation. Specifically, it aims to train information experts with logical and systematic thinking, capable of strategic planning in information management for businesses, organizations, and government agencies; thereby transforming information into a vital resource for development and creating a competitive advantage. Information experts are capable of advising on the construction of information systems; knowing how to collect, evaluate, classify, process, synthesize, analyze, distribute, and manage information; and advising on the effective exploitation and use of information. In short, the program aims to train information experts for the digital age. Imagine this: in the context of information explosion, Google can give you 1000 results, but an information expert will only give you one correct answer.
What is the most difficult yet crucial requirement for human beings in modern life, to the point that failure to accomplish it as soon as possible could lead to our elimination from the world? It is making timely and accurate decisions. We must make decisions not only in our personal lives but also as managers, politicians, businesspeople, or employees.
"We are drowning in information while starving for knowledge" (EO Wilson). (Illustrative image.)
Today, decision-making is challenging because its raw material—information—is exploding in sheer volume. Every individual, organization, agency, and business needs a special capability: information management skills, to be able to search, collect, organize, process, and utilize information effectively in management, recruitment, investment, product development, or public relations, among other areas.
Mr. Pham Duc Tien (left) – Director of Bidding Ecosystem Joint Stock Company – successfully secured investment from Shark Hung Anh in Shark Tank Vietnam Season 5.
Pham Duc Tien, a former student of the K62 Information Management program at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, shared: "I have learned important knowledge and skills in information management, which has helped me in my work leading the Bidding Ecosystem – a platform centered around accurate, transparent, and up-to-date data. Currently, the Bidding Ecosystem is a pioneering platform, providing maximum support for private enterprises participating in public procurement, private procurement, and auction markets." He affirmed: "Studying information management is a modern field of study with many opportunities and potential for students in the context of transformation."
Studying information management means mastering the vast ocean of information, transforming it into a tool to serve all other human activities. Therefore, someone who studies information management has the opportunity to adapt to many different professions and access work in various positions, from specialist to manager, from administrative to communication. In the future, every organization, agency, and business will need information management experts; this is a job requiring comprehensive and interconnected skills, supporting the entire operational system by providing the right resources for decision-making.
The goal of the Information Management major is to train high-quality human resources with systems thinking, solid practical knowledge and skills in the field of information management; capable of applying information technology to their profession; capable of processing information and analyzing data, analyzing and designing information systems, planning and implementing information management activities in organizations and businesses; able to adapt to the working environment, adhere to professional ethical standards, meet social requirements in the context of international integration and digital transformation; promote innovation and entrepreneurship; and capable of continuing their studies at a higher level.
The fundamental knowledge areas of information management.
In addition to general knowledge of the Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and Humanities, students majoring in Information Management learn specialized knowledge groups, including: (1) Information Technology: fundamental tools for implementing information management; (2) Management Science: the thinking and strategies of managers in building and managing information systems; (3) Business Administration: keen economic thinking, understanding business operations; and (4) Information Science: thinking about the science of organizing and exploiting information.
The core subjects in the field of information management include:
- Decision support systems
- Scientific research methods
- Enterprise Information Systems
- Management Information Systems
- Data mining and social media analytics
- Startup
- Systems theory
- Marketing in the digital environment
- Introduction to Data Science
- Introduction to Basic Programming
- Introduction to Information Literacy
- Introduction to Project Management
- Introduction to Business Administration
- Introduction to Information Management
- Information system analysis and design
- Customer information management
- Intellectual Property Rights in the Digital Environment
- User-centric design
- Database design and administration
- Website design and content management
- Search engine optimization
- Creative thinking and idea design
- Information processing
The Faculty of Information and Library Science at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, boasts a long history of achievements and prestige in training in the field of Information and Library Science in Vietnam. In the context of integration and internationalization, the Faculty focuses on promoting cooperation, strengthening collaboration with domestic partners while expanding cooperation with individuals, organizations, and governments worldwide. The Faculty has a vast network of international partners: leading universities worldwide in information and library science and information management (Victoria University of Wellington (New Zealand), South of Australia University (Australia), Queensland University of Technology (Australia), Simmons College (USA), etc.); and international organizations such as IFLA, UNESCO, Open Development Mekong, wikiHow, Land Portal, and Ischool. Major corporations such as Meta and Google maintain close and effective partnerships with many leading businesses in Vietnam, including Bao Ninh, Nam Hoang, CMC, Hien Dai, Icando, VINADES, VTVlive, iCOMM Media & Teach, FPT, D&L, IDT, and professional associations such as the Vietnam Library Association, the Vietnam Association for Scientific and Technological Information, and various library federations. Therefore, students studying at the Faculty of Information and Library Science have the opportunity to learn from leading experts in the field of information both domestically and internationally, gain practical experience through internships at numerous businesses and organizations, hone their skills, and secure employment even before graduation.
The University of Social Sciences and Humanities is a pioneer in Vietnam in the field of digital transformation in higher education, with the Faculty of Information and Library Science being one of its core units. From 2020 to the present, the Faculty has successfully collaborated with many partners to implement numerous projects:
- “Enhancing digital capabilities for students of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities”; Project “Application of AI in teaching, learning and research for lecturers and students” (in collaboration with Meta Group);
- “Enhancing young people’s capacity for access to information” (in collaboration with the Centre for Education and Empowerment of Women (CEPEW), funded by the Government of Canada);
- “Enhancing information literacy for students of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU Hanoi (Sponsor: Australian Government);
- “Promoting the Development of Open Educational Resources in Vietnam” aims to share scientific knowledge freely and provide open access to these resources (in collaboration with professional associations, government agencies, libraries, and universities, with funding from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)).
Information Management students, as well as students from VNU-USSH, are among the first to directly benefit from the achievements of these projects. They not only gain access to modern and up-to-date knowledge, tools, and methods in the field of information management, but also grasp new career trends in the context of strong digital transformation and many exciting job opportunities.
The job market for professionals trained in information management will be private sector organizations and businesses. After graduation, Information Management graduates can work in agencies, organizations, and businesses in positions such as information management and business support specialist, information system analysis and design, information and data analysis, SEO analysis and website content management, records and information management, office staff, communications support, business analysis, information technology infrastructure management, etc. They can also become lecturers or researchers at training institutions and research institutes.
Information management is the path to embracing the future while also providing ample opportunities for learners in the present.
Contact information:
For more details about the admissions and training programs, please visit the Faculty of Information and Library Science, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.
Address: House A, 336 Nguyen Trai Street, Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi
Website: http://sim.ussh.vnu.edu.vn
Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/flis.ussh.vnu
Phone: (024) 38583903
Email: flis@vnu.edu.vn
