Enhancing the policy advisory role of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities

The program was attended by the School's leadership, heads of departments, and a large number of administrators and scientists interested in the field of policy consulting.

In his opening remarks, Professor Hoang Anh Tuan, the Rector of the university, emphasized that, in addition to the two fundamental pillars of training and scientific research, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities also carries out many policy advisory activities for the Party, State, Government, National Assembly, and central agencies. This is not only a professional task but also a social responsibility, reflecting the mission of a leading training and research center in the field of social sciences and humanities.

Principal Hoang Anh Tuan delivered the opening remarks at the training session.

According to Professor Hoang Anh Tuan, the university currently has a team of approximately 400 scientists with high academic ranks and degrees, possessing in-depth research capabilities and noteworthy scientific publications. The university's research and publication activities, both domestically and internationally, are implemented comprehensively and harmoniously, contributing to affirming its academic position within the Vietnamese higher education system. However, translating research results into sharp, accurate, and relevant policy advice addressing major issues of concern to the Central Government, the National Assembly, and the Government remains a requirement that needs continued investment, training, and improvement.

In the context of the country facing many new development challenges, especially the need for institutional and organizational reform, cultural development, rural development, improvement of local government models, and resolution of complex social issues, the role of social sciences and humanities is becoming increasingly important. With its strengths in training and research in many fields such as political science, management, culture, sociology, history, anthropology, and international studies, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities has many opportunities to directly contribute to the policy-making process of the Party and the State.

Dr. Nguyen Si Dung shared theoretical and practical issues, and experiences in policy consulting.

At the training session, Dr. Nguyen Si Dung shared many practical insights revolving around three main aspects of policy activities: analysis, critique, and policy consultation. According to him, to do policy consultation well, one must first correctly identify the problem. Among the many issues arising from practice, policy consultants must determine which is the most important, urgent, and highest priority. Without correctly identifying the problem, subsequent analyses and recommendations are likely to be scattered, unfocused, or fail to meet the requirements of the decision-making body.

Dr. Nguyen Si Dung also emphasized that policy reviewers need high professional competence, because policy review is not just about expressing agreement or disagreement, but is a process of clarifying policies, identifying impacts, risks, feasibility, and potential consequences in practice. Based on his experience in legislative research and parliamentary activities, he believes that policy advice should ultimately aim to provide those in authority with more grounds to make correct, timely, and appropriate decisions that meet development requirements.

The training session also provided a space for direct exchange between the presenters and the faculty and scientists of the University. This was an opportunity for the faculty to ask questions, share difficulties in connecting scientific research with policy practice, and gain further experience from an expert who has many years of experience working in the legislative and policy-making environment.

Through this program, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities continues to affirm its orientation of developing research potential, enhancing the policy advisory capacity of its scientific staff, and contributing more effectively to the Party, the State, and society. The "Policy Advisory Skills" training is not only a professional activity but also a concrete step towards realizing the University's role as a responsible academic institution, proactively participating in solving major national issues using knowledge from social sciences and humanities.