Strongly promote scientific research and innovation activities at VNU from "thinking" to "action"

VNU News interviewed Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan - Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU about his opinions on VNU's Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy and the University's orientation for science, technology and innovation development.

- Could you please give your opinion on the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for the 2021-2030 period of VNU that has just been issued?

In the world and in Vietnam, universities must always proactively adapt to the context of socio-economic development. In the context of the fourth industrial revolution, as a multidisciplinary and multi-field educational center, VNU is promoting its advantages to soon successfully build a smart, innovative university model, striving to improve its capacity to adapt to the transformation trend of higher education in the world. On February 8, 2022, the President of VNU signed Decision No. 286/QD-VNU promulgating the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation Development of VNU for the period 2021 - 2030. In my opinion, this is an important milestone and basis, a guideline for VNU's activities in the coming period.

The current context of many risks and fluctuations places strict requirements on the creative capacity and technological level of Vietnam's human resources in general. In the context of transforming the growth model based on improving labor productivity, the quality and competitiveness of education in general and universities in particular play an important role in promoting innovation activities. This is also the first and most important viewpoint expressed in the science, technology and innovation strategy of VNU this time.

The Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy of VNU was issued in a concise and succinct manner, yet also very clear and detailed, demonstrating the potential, strengths and determination of VNU in general and its member units in particular. This is a completely proactive step to take advantage of opportunities and effectively respond to challenges that will be faced, contributing to the effective implementation of VNU's goals in the coming period. I would like to highlight some impressive points from the Strategy:

Firstly, the Strategy is compatible with the orientations and policy documents of the Party and State in the recent period: Resolution of the 13th National Congress of the Party; 10-year Socio-Economic Development Strategy 2021-2030; Resolution No. 23-NQ/TW dated March 22, 2018 of the Politburo on orientations for building national industrial development policies to 2030, with a vision to 2045; Resolution No. 52-NQ/TW dated September 27, 2019 of the Politburo on a number of policies and guidelines to proactively participate in the Fourth Industrial Revolution,... This Strategy specifies the policies and guidelines of the Party and State on science, technology and innovation development; demonstrating the interest and joint efforts of VNU in building and developing the national innovation ecosystem. In addition, this Strategy also realizes the goals related to science, technology and innovation as stated in the Resolution of the 6th Congress of the Party Committee of VNU for the 2020-2025 term with the motto: Innovation - National responsibility - Sustainable development as well as in the Development Strategy of VNU to 2030, vision 2045 issued on March 29, 2021.

Second, the use of the phrase “Innovation” in the strategic document on the development of science and technology activities demonstrates the spirit of innovation, aiming to build an innovative university, smart university, 4.0 university of VNU. In my opinion, the core of adding this phrase lies in linking/integrating creative activities into all activities, all fields, all levels to create sustainable values ​​and motivation for development. This is the spirit that VNU always pursues.

Third, through the goals, tasks and solutions expressed in the Strategy, we see the arousing of spirit and encouragement to promote internal and external resources, especially human intelligence, through connection, association, and joint implementation of scientific, technological and innovative activities, rather than individual and separate activities.

- According to you, how will this Strategy promote research and innovation activities at VNU?

As stated above, I believe that this Strategy will strongly promote scientific research and innovation activities at VNU from "thinking" to "action":

Building and arousing the “innovative” mindset for both managers, learners, teachers and researchers. Training institutions have the function of providing human resources for social innovation activities. If there is a lack of motivation for innovation combined with increasing competitive pressure between educational sectors, universities will be at risk of falling behind or “stagnating”. Therefore, training human resources and trained human resources must be equipped with the necessary thinking and skills for that process. Right in universities, it is necessary to create an environment for young people to get acquainted with research, creativity, thinking, problem discovery and problem solving. From the creative environment, creative thinking will be created and a creative culture will gradually be formed. The output of the training process in the Industrial Revolution 4.0 is human resources with the capacity and spirit of innovation.

Building an innovation ecosystem and connecting with innovation activities and ecosystems at the unit, regional and national levels. Connecting with other elements in the science, technology and innovation system will help promote innovation based on the strengths of the parties, helping schools get closer to the needs of businesses and society. In order to carry out this smoothly, the solutions in the Strategy have been proposed with flexible mechanisms, promoting the autonomy of training and scientific research of units to facilitate the links between universities - research institutes - enterprises - the state, between domestic and international organizations, between the private sector and the market to maximize efficiency, supporting the construction of a synchronous ecosystem from basic research, application, pilot production to commercialization.

Aiming for applicable outputs with scientific, economic and social value, demonstrating the prestige and brand of VNU. The Strategy has provided specific, measurable measures, goals and indicators to achieve the common goal of "playing a pivotal role, making an important contribution to the implementation of the Strategy for developing VNU into a research and innovation university in the group of the world's top 300 universities, participating in solving a number of national challenges and urgent issues". This is both a valuable goal and a driving force for VNU to make changes, breakthroughs and affirm its position domestically and internationally.

In addition, promoting science, technology and innovation activities is also a measure to improve the quality of training and promote the "brand" of VNU, helping us to be competitive domestically and integrate with the region and the world. In my opinion, reputation is not something general or abstract, but it must be demonstrated through the contributions and achievements of each staff, lecturer and student of the member schools. Individual achievements contribute to the achievements of the collective. And this is also an opportunity for individuals to assert themselves.

- How do the school's science, technology and innovation activities "resonate" with the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy of VNU, Professor?

As a core member of VNU, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities has had specific achievements and orientations in science, technology and innovation activities to contribute to the overall achievements of VNU as well as to realize the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy of VNU.

On science, technology and innovation policy:

The development strategy of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities to 2025, with a vision to 2035, issued on March 30, 2018, sets out the goal: "Developing the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in the direction of a research university, continuing to affirm its leading position in research and training in social sciences and humanities in Vietnam".

On that basis, the University has issued a series of policies to implement the above goals: Decision No. 1121/QD-XHNV-KH dated April 24, 2018 on promulgating the Program to promote international publication and support doctoral training for the period 2018-2022; Decision No. 2981/QD-XHNV-KH dated December 30, 2021 on adjusting, supplementing and amending the Program to promote international publication and support doctoral training for the period 2021-2025 to improve rankings, enhance quality and competitiveness in postgraduate admission and training; Decision No. 2980/QD-XHNV-KH dated December 30, 2021 on promulgating the Regulation on management of research topics at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU.

Regarding organizational structure and resources:

The school currently has 17 faculties/institutes and affiliated departments, 05 research centers, 01 key research institute and 07 strong national research groups. The structure and organization of the school ensure the depth in specialized activities of teaching and research.

In addition, the School currently has 519 current staff, including 13 professors, 83 associate professors, 161 doctors and 102 masters. This is a team of highly qualified staff, leading scientists, experts in many highly interdisciplinary research fields - the potential to research, publish and solve in-depth and interdisciplinary issues in the country's social sciences and humanities, as well as academic dialogue with leading scholars of Vietnamese studies in the world.

Regarding achievements and strengths in international publications and scientific research:

International publications of the University staff are growing strongly: in the period 2016-2020, there were 403 international publications, of which over 100 were published in journals listed in ISI and Scopus. The quantity and quality of international publications are continuously increasing, 59 articles in 2016, 74 articles in 2017, 76 articles in 2018, 88 articles in 2019 and 106 articles in 2020. Although not as expected, for the field of social sciences and humanities, this is a remarkable effort and change.

During the period of 2010 - 2020, the staff of the University presided over and implemented 36 topics under the National Science and Technology Fund, 158 topics at VNU level. Focusing on building and implementing large, interdisciplinary topics and researching major issues arising in Vietnam's development practices is also the orientation that has brought many achievements in the University's research activities over the past 10 years. During the period of 2010 - 2020, the staff of the University presided over 44 State-level topics, 4 times the number of State-level topics in the period of 2001 - 2010. Every year, the University's staff publishes an average of 15 monographs/reference books, many of which have affirmed their value and great impact on science and society.

That affirms the ability and willingness of the University to contribute to the implementation of the science and technology strategy of VNU. As a member university, with its academic and scientific research traditions, with the mission of being a pioneer in training high-quality, highly qualified human resources; researching, creating and disseminating knowledge about social sciences and humanities, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities commits to its contribution to the common development of VNU because this is not simply a resonance but a symbiotic relationship.

Thank you very much, Professor!