Removing difficulties in training and basic scientific researchAt the meeting, delegates discussed the current situation and practical needs of basic research in the field of Social Sciences and Humanities (S&H) in the current context of university autonomy.
According to Ngo Thi Phuong Lan, Principal of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Ho Chi Minh City National University, the training of basic sciences in the field of social sciences and humanities is currently facing some difficulties in the context of university autonomy. Basic sciences in the field of social sciences and humanities lack competitiveness and attract few learners in the context of increasing social demand for applied sciences. Basic sciences are being applied while the nature of basic sciences is in-depth research. The team of scientists in this field is lacking, and the inheritance of generations of scientists is lacking. Associate Professor, Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Lan proposed that basic science tasks in the field of social sciences and humanities need to go into depth, not be bound by time or general criteria; promote training, fostering, attracting and promoting a team of high-quality experts who are dedicated to the specific basic sciences of social sciences and humanities.
Associate Professor, Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Lan shares some difficulties of basic science training in the context of university autonomy.
Sharing the same view, Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan - Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, pointed out that the current orientation of university rankings, titles, and science and technology tasks according to Scopus has caused basic scientific research to deviate from the direction serving the sustainable development of Vietnam.
According to scientists' reports, the ranking of universities, titles, and scientific and technological tasks according to Scopus is considered an important orientation in the assessment and development of science and technology in Vietnam. However, many opinions say that this orientation is leading to some negative consequences, such as promoting "international publication" instead of "useful research". Many scientists focus on publishing articles in prestigious Scopus journals to improve their personal and institutional rankings, instead of focusing on researching practical issues for the country, leading to a situation of "foreign worship", publishing articles of poor quality, without practical application. Focusing on fields with many Scopus journals leads to the situation that other fields, especially social sciences and humanities, are "neglected". This affects the comprehensive development of science and technology, limiting the ability to solve complex social problems.
Principal Hoang Anh Tuan emphasized that it is necessary to focus on promoting research in social sciences and humanities, harmonizing national and international characteristics, harmonizing science and technology with social sciences and humanities, promoting breakthroughs in training, fostering, attracting and employing a team of high-quality and dedicated experts in the basic sciences specific to social sciences and humanities (Han Nom, Archaeology, Ethnology, etc.).
Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan - Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi emphasized the need to promote breakthroughs in training, fostering, attracting and employing a team of quality experts who are dedicated to the basic science fields specific to Social Sciences and Humanities.
Prof. Dr. Phung Huu Phu - Chairman of the Scientific Training Council, former Principal of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU
Prof. Dr. Vo Van Sen - Chairman of the Scientific Training Council, former Principal of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU-HCM
Orientation of basic research in the field of social sciences and humanities in the new context
According to the report at the working session, for the two universities of social sciences and humanities at the two ends of the country, human resource training is only one of the three main missions (Human resource training, scientific research, community service). Based on the research tradition and the established academic mission, scientific research is highly valued, expressed through the philosophy of "Academics as the foundation - Modernity/Integration is the trend" of the two universities. The two National Universities themselves have repeatedly affirmed the goal of developing basic science as the foundation for the development of science, technology and interdisciplinary science. Therefore, in order to harmonize the minimum goal with the national mission in the issue of human resources, the training and research units of social sciences and humanities and the implementation of specialized specialized human resource projects stand above (and go beyond) the thinking of a normal university.
Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Tran Hong Thai gave a speech directing the working session.
According to Deputy Minister Tran Hong Thai, in today's context, it is necessary to focus on basic research, forming young research groups, strong research groups; at the same time, promote human resource training for the basic research sector, increase funding support for young scientists. Thereby, setting a goal in the next 10 years to have strong research groups, including in the field of social sciences and humanities.
The Deputy Minister requested that functional units under the Ministry of Science and Technology closely coordinate with the two universities in supporting long-term orientation for the development of a number of basic sciences in the field of social sciences and humanities; the two universities need to establish strong research groups and participate in the Ministry's research programs.
“Increase investment priority for local topics and programs and local research training institutions; create a mechanism for parties to regularly exchange research directions and results; balance domestic and international articles; prioritize support for domestic journals to improve and reach international standards…”, the Deputy Minister emphasized.
Dr. Tran Quoc Cuong, Director of Department of Social Sciences, Humanities and Natural Sciences, Ministry of Science and Technology
At the meeting, representatives of the leaders of relevant functional units under the Ministry of Science and Technology affirmed that they will always accompany experts and scientists in basic research, especially in the field of social sciences and humanities; provide orientations for the development of a number of basic sciences in the field of social sciences and humanities such as focusing on supporting and training young scientists; promoting the integration of domestic journals and publications at the international level...
Leaders of units under the Ministry of Science and Technology spoke at the working session
