We need to change society's attitude towards education.

On the sidelines of the 2012 university entrance exam, Associate Professor Dr. Vu Duc Nghieu - Vice Rector and Head of the 2012 University Entrance Exam Committee of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - gave an interview to a reporter from the Voice of Vietnam Radio about the university entrance exam and some pressing issues in education today. The website editorial board would like to excerpt the content of the interview. - This year marks the 11th year we have implemented the "three common subjects" university entrance exam method. With the upcoming implementation of the Higher Education Law, the autonomy of universities will be emphasized. Professor, how will the "three common subjects" exam method affect the autonomy of universities?I think it won't have any impact. Because when the Ministry of Education and Training grants autonomy to each school, those schools that have the capacity and need can organize their own university entrance exams under the general state management of the Ministry. And if a school doesn't have the resources or doesn't want to organize its own exam, it can still continue with the national entrance exam.- Professor, is the "three common solutions" still effective in the current context?I think there are still certain benefits. Because while some schools are well-equipped to independently organize all aspects of the exam, others find it difficult to do so on their own. The unified national exam provides mutual support among different institutions under a unified direction. Of course, every decision has two sides; you gain one thing but lose another. For example, organizing a nationwide exam is somewhat cumbersome, but if schools organize exams completely independently, some schools will face difficulties.So, what is the best solution currently available, Professor?This is a difficult question. The decision to organize separate exams depends on each school's conditions, capabilities, resources, and experience. The Ministry of Education and Training encourages schools to hold their own exams, but doesn't mandate it. Each school must choose the approach that best benefits them at the present time. I think the Ministry's current directive is reasonable: those who want to participate in the three common subjects will be taken care of by the Ministry, while those who want complete independence must manage it themselves, with the Ministry only providing state management.- This year's admissions process is more flexible, with a longer timeframe and no limit on the number of admission rounds. How do you assess this, Associate Professor?Extending the admissions process, without a fixed deadline, will create more favorable conditions for both candidates and the universities themselves. However, for universities that have to call candidates in multiple rounds, this will lead to new difficulties in terms of time and organization. Since the same first-year students are enrolling in different rounds, universities have to manage many things; one or two rounds would be much more efficient. In any case, this greater flexibility in the admissions process will provide more advantages for candidates in choosing which universities to apply to.- There are concerns that while we have a fairly strict and reliable university entrance examination system regarding candidates' abilities, the current graduation process is lax, and the quality does not meet the demands of society. How does the Associate Professor view this issue?This is also a reality because our educational philosophy and organizational methods still have shortcomings. Currently, universities are trying every way to improve the quality of training through various means: transforming training programs, enhancing staff capacity, changing assessment methods, etc. However, it must be said that improving the quality of training in a sector or a country cannot be achieved in just a few years or simply by pouring money into it. This is an extremely difficult task, requiring responsibility primarily from each individual school. But alongside that, it also requires the efforts of the entire society. We must change the mindset and attitude of society as a whole, and of each individual, towards education; change the educational philosophy, teaching and learning methods, and training programs… Only with such comprehensive changes can we hope to improve the quality of training.- So, of all the factors that the Associate Professor mentioned above, what is the biggest challenge that schools are currently facing?There are many difficulties. However, in my personal opinion, changing the mindset of learners is crucial; they must determine what they are learning and why they are learning it. That is very important. This may sound theoretical, but it actually has very important practical implications for each individual. Of course, on the part of educational institutions, there are many issues that need adjustment: the competence of teachers, the curriculum and training methods, etc. This is a story of changing the thinking and actions of each individual, and it requires the combined efforts of all those people in society to hope for fundamental change. If only individual or departmental changes are made, the problem will not be solved.- There are things the education sector can do immediately, such as building an honest education system, with genuine learning and genuine exams, so that graduates can work in the real world. Currently, the selection process in universities is not high; almost everyone who enters graduates leaves, which may contain elements of dishonesty. How does the Associate Professor view this issue?It's also important to recognize that the prevailing mindset among some students today is to obtain a degree, secure an office job, and avoid manual labor. The common sentiment is to pursue an easy life, to pass exams and gain prestige, rather than to acquire a decent profession to contribute to society and secure a stable life. This mindset leads to many of the problems you mentioned earlier. Because of these societal issues, schools – a part of society – also have shortcomings. Even some individuals engage in negative behaviors. The key is to gradually eliminate these problems. If a society has a healthy mindset and philosophy towards education, it will tend to want all these weaknesses to be eradicated quickly. Therefore, each school must act as a "fortress" in the field of education, under a common management philosophy of the State. It must recognize its weaknesses and strive to overcome them, constantly seeking ways to improve the quality of education within its autonomous scope. Each school must endeavor to enhance the quality of both research and education.- To build an honest education system, what does it require from both teachers and students, Professor?To achieve honest education, it requires effort from both teachers and students; neither teacher nor student alone can accomplish it. However, in a university environment, teachers must take the lead and be serious because "if the tree isn't straight, its shadow won't be straight." Teachers who are serious with themselves will teach their students to be serious and honest. Remember, seriousness and honesty are important, not harshness. The issue of honesty is primarily a matter for each individual, but it is also influenced by loopholes or inadequacies in regulations and laws. Individuals who are not serious about themselves can easily exploit these to engage in unethical behavior.