The union is the core force in building culture in universities.

University Culture - Diverse Approaches

Discussing the intrinsic values ​​of culture in universities, the paper "Communication contributes to popularizing organizational culture" by Associate Professor, Dr. Phan Thi Thanh Thao (Union of University of Science and Technology) stated that: culture is the core value of an organization, which establishes beliefs about the right way to behave, including: Rituals (organizing events that demonstrate core values); Stories (stories about events to convey core values); Heroes (characters who have and are demonstrating core values); Symbols (language and other symbols that convey core values). The paper also affirmed that communication plays an indispensable role in building those cultural values ​​of an organization.

Dr. Ho Ngoc Khoa (Construction University Trade Union) emphasized that: the traditional cultural values ​​that the Construction University has today are the fundamental factors for stability and sustainable development. The development process of the University is the crystallization of core values, becoming the basic unique cultural values ​​in the traditional cultural value system of the University such as: organizational capacity, leadership and vision of the leadership team; spirit of solidarity and system cohesion; capacity for autonomy, adaptability to all circumstances and changing conditions; courage and resilience to overcome sacrifices and losses, capacity for foreign affairs domestically and internationally.

Associate Professor Dr. Dang Xuan Khang (University of Social Sciences and Humanities Trade Union) mentioned the culture in universities but approached it from the perspective of professional ethics for university lecturers. This is currently a "hot" issue in society when the dark sides of the market economy have impacted a part of teachers, turning education into a commodity, negatively affecting the quality of training activities as well as eroding teachers' ethics. The paper analyzed five basic ethical principles of university lecturers, including: political qualities; lecturers must have sufficient professional and pedagogical capacity; the relationship between lecturers and students; respect for colleagues and for the development of the University. In the relationship with students, the author emphasizes: “Lecturers must avoid “dual” relationships with students that can affect the development of students or lead to lecturers being biased or being perceived as biased towards students. Lecturers must only maintain their relationships with students for pedagogical purposes and academic requirements”. At the same time, lecturers must be responsible for conducting assessments in a correct, open and fair manner, consistent with the objectives of the subject.

Also discussing the issue of university culture through the perspective of teacher-student relationships, Dr. Nguyen Thi Huyen (National Economics University Trade Union) proposed solutions: The school needs to invest more in academic advising, because in reality, after graduation, these are the teachers that students are most attached to and have the longest lasting relationship with. Teachers need to be encouraged to use social networks to share with students, helping them understand each other better, so that teachers and students can become closer and more friendly, thereby grasping the thoughts, aspirations and other needs of students. The relationship between teachers and students is always considered a bridge and a source of encouragement, encouraging students to participate more enthusiastically in their training activities and future career development.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh (Vice Rector) and delegates of the Trade Union of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities discussed on the sidelines of the Workshop/Photo: DL

Trade unions promote pioneering role

At the workshop, all opinions affirmed that the Trade Union organization plays an extremely important role in building and promoting culture in the University. Because the Trade Union has the ability to gather and unite union members, deploy common activities effectively and widely. By doing this task well, the Trade Union has clearly demonstrated its pioneering role, together with Party and government agencies, contributing to improving the effectiveness of university operations.

Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Trung (Vice President, National Economics University) affirmed: the achievements that National Economics University has achieved have important contributions from the Trade Union organization. In that development process, the topic of building culture in universities, although not new, has an extremely important position, requiring the right orientation of leaders at all levels. Building culture in universities is an important push for a new step of development. Activities such as this workshop will contribute to promoting schools to have new awareness and move towards specific actions. Therefore, school leaders need to create all possible conditions for the Trade Union activities of the 5 schools to become increasingly connected and practically effective.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh (Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) pledged to create conditions for the Trade Union to develop more strongly. He said that the connection activities of the Trade Unions of 5 universities maintained over the past 27 years is a remarkable achievement. The Trade Union has demonstrated its pioneering role when addressing one of the outstanding issues in the activities of universities in the modern context. Because the culture of the university has increasingly become a core value, a "soft" value that creates the driving force for development and the brand of that university.

Associate Professor, Dr. Dang Xuan Khang (Chairman of the Trade Union of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) received the Flag to host the next conference of the Trade Union Cluster of 5 Universities/Photo: DL

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Trong Hoai (Vice Principal of Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics) shared practical experiences drawn from his school's activities. He said that in order to build a good and standard cultural environment in the university, the Union needs to focus on core elements: respecting teachers, ethical factors in exams and studying, building the desire for freedom to create academic values, encouraging good research, good teaching, encouraging innovation and integration... In which, the highest goal in the university's culture is to promote creativity, train people with good working capacity, good ethics and personality, and the will to contribute to the community...