Vietnam National University, Hanoi - Opportunities before a new stage

The world is developing and changing rapidly in the new industrial revolution, and is also facing complex and unpredictable changes. These changes, whether directly or indirectly, are having a profound impact on almost all areas of social life, including higher education. This context poses both challenges and opportunities for universities. Depending on how they are perceived and responded to, challenges and opportunities can transform into each other. The new industrial revolution is opening up opportunities for many universities to develop and reach new heights without necessarily going through the existing development process or following traditional practices. Instead of a sequential accumulation of quantity, universities can make a leap forward with a rapid transformation in quality. With the leading role, leading the national higher education, pioneering, proactively responding to opportunities and challenges, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) is facing many opportunities to break through and develop for a new stage.

Last year, VNU continued to maintain stability, successfully completed the set goals in all areas of work, affirmed its role as the leading university in the country, and increased its index and ranking in the international arena. According to the 2021 World University Rankings by THE Magazine, VNU is in the group of 801 - 1000 leading universities in the world. Notably, some fields of VNU are leading in Vietnam, including the field of Engineering and Technology, which is in the group of 401-500 leading universities in the world.

Faced with the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, VNU has proactively responded and adapted promptly by establishing a steering committee, issuing policy mechanisms for direction, management, and implementation guidelines so that the entire system can operate smoothly and effectively in the new situation. There have been periods when operations, management, research, teaching and learning have been implemented entirely in an online environment. The progress and implementation methods of the work areas may have changes and adjustments, but they still basically ensure the set goals and plans. VNU has had a successful year of enrollment. Talented, high-quality students continue to bring the country proud results with nearly 10 international Olympic medals. Teaching innovation activities have practical opportunities to promote in the context that units are required to implement online work, teaching and learning. The Government continues to trust and entrust VNU to carry out many large, difficult, national-level tasks such as the National Chronicle, the Vietnam Studies Documentation Center, Translation and promotion of the quintessence of Eastern Classics, etc. Most of the key national-level science and technology tasks and projects are chaired or directly or indirectly participated in by VNU scientists.

VNU continues to be the place chosen by high-ranking international politicians to visit and convey messages. In October 2020, during his first overseas trip since taking office, Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide and a delegation of high-ranking Japanese officials chose Vietnam-Japan University, VNU as the place to deliver speeches and declare Japan's important foreign policy to the region and the world. At the same time, the Prime Minister had meaningful exchanges and talks with students.

The establishment of the eighth member university of VNU - the University of Medicine and Pharmacy - is one of the notable highlights of the past year, marking the continuous development and improvement of a multidisciplinary and multi-field research university. The University of Medicine and Pharmacy both promotes the existing research advantages of basic sciences and develops the element of clinical practice.

2020 marks a year of positive news for the investment project to build the Vietnam National University in Hoa Lac. The National Assembly and the Government have prioritized budget allocation for site clearance, resettlement, infrastructure construction and important construction items. Along with that, the Government has approved the policy to implement procedures for borrowing capital from the World Bank and Japanese ODA to serve the construction of many large and important items.

The above achievements and many others in the past year have been achieved through the efforts, striving, and continuous training in teaching, research, work, and study of individuals, groups, and the entire VNU. I would like to respectfully acknowledge, commend, and thank the teachers, scientists, officials, employees, workers, students, and pupils.

The 6th Congress of the Party Committee of VNU for the 2020-2025 term has concluded a successful period, and at the same time opened a new development period with new opportunities, promising a period of prosperous and breakthrough development, meeting the expectations of society and the country. The motto of action "Innovation - National responsibility - Sustainable development" represents the consistent viewpoint of VNU in the development process in the coming time. VNU will focus on implementing major orientations such as: Carrying out comprehensive digital transformation throughout VNU; Persistently expanding the development of high-quality talent training, raising the flag of talent training, continuing to promote basic science training in parallel with new training majors, enhancing international student exchanges and seeking international support resources; Scientific research activities aim at scientific products worthy of the position and reputation of VNU, making important contributions to the development of the country; Innovating policies and activities in all areas of work based on the new Decree on VNU that is about to be issued, in which the spirit of innovation and increased autonomy in the areas of: human resource organization, use of financial resources, and issuance of training regulations; Focusing resources on building facilities to strive that by 2025, not only will the appearance of VNU in Hoa Lac change fundamentally, but key projects such as the Interdisciplinary Laboratory System will bring the academic and research level of VNU to a new level.

2021 is a pivotal year for the next 5-year development period with the goal of making VNU a university in the top 100 universities in Asia and the top 500 universities in the world. This is a very big, difficult and even impossible goal if VNU is not really determined and has drastic solutions and specific actions to make breakthroughs in institutions, innovation and facilities. VNU is a unified entity created by consensus and organically structured connections between internal units. Therefore, the major goals of VNU can only be achieved when all member and affiliated units, including scientists, teachers, staff, students, and pupils, sympathize, trust, accompany, take responsibility and are determined to work together.

On behalf of the Standing Party Committee and the Board of Directors of VNU, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the leaders of the Party, State and Government for their attention and favorable conditions for VNU to develop; I would like to express my sincere thanks to the relevant departments, ministries and branches for their active coordination and support for VNU; I would like to express my sincere thanks to domestic and foreign partners, especially key and close partners who have effectively cooperated with VNU over the past year.

Wishing you a healthy, happy and successful new year!

Best regards.

Assoc.Prof.Dr. NGUYEN KIM SON
Member of the Party Central Committee, Chairman of the Council, President of VNU