Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi: Difficulties are opportunities for the University of Social Sciences and Humanities to reach new heights.

Attending the conference were the Director of VNU Hanoi, Nguyen Kim Son, the Vice Director of VNU Hanoi, Nguyen Hong Son, and the Chairman of the VNU Hanoi Science and Training Council, Vu Minh Giang, along with professors, associate professors, and key administrative staff of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

The conference adopted the report evaluating the achievements of the School during the 2016-2017 academic year, presented by Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim (Party Secretary, Vice Rector of the School). According to the report, the School has basically completed the set targets and plans, ensuring the quality of its activities and adhering to the overall development direction of the School and Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

Regarding training, the University successfully completed its undergraduate and postgraduate admissions in 2016. The training management process was reformed to be student-centered, maximizing opportunities for students to complete their courses and eliminating wasted time. The quality of training improved, as evidenced by the higher number of excellent and outstanding students compared to the previous year. The University also launched several new programs, including the Bachelor of Southeast Asian Studies, Master of Public Policy, and Doctor of Tourism. The University awarded Master's degrees to 820 students and Doctoral degrees to 81 doctoral candidates who completed their programs.

The Director of Hanoi National University delivered a speech at the conference.

Regarding scientific research, the University is currently implementing 17 state-level projects, 3 Nafosted Fund projects, 25 VNU-level projects, and dozens of institutional-level projects. The University has 5 projects that won the VNU-level Outstanding Scientific Work Award and 1 project that won the Ho Chi Minh Prize for Science and Technology. Other indicators in scientific activities are also very impressive, such as: organizing 33 conferences, including 20 international conferences; publishing 15 textbooks and monographs, including 2 in English; publishing 603 scientific articles, including 42 international publications. There are 6 international publications in journals listed in the ISI and Scopus databases.

To further enhance research and training capabilities, the University established the Department of Religious Studies, the Department of Public Policy within the Faculty of Management Sciences, the Center for Marine and Island Studies, and the Center for Applied Research and Development of Social Work within the Faculty of Sociology.

Professor Pham Quang Minh - Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, delivered the opening remarks at the Conference.

Personnel management has also yielded positive results with the appointment of 3 professors and 7 associate professors. Currently, the University has 102 professors and associate professors, accounting for 27.49% of the faculty, approaching the target of 28% set by Vietnam National University, Hanoi for the University of Social Sciences and Humanities by 2020. With an additional 24 staff members successfully defending their doctoral dissertations, the University now has 232 PhD holders, including 224 lecturers, accounting for 60.3% of the faculty.

International cooperation activities continued to expand with 273 foreign partners, welcoming 850 international students and scientists to conduct research and teach at the University.

In the upcoming 2017-2018 academic year, one of the main tasks of the School is to reorganize and restructure training programs and majors, adjust curricula to enhance articulation and collaboration; develop a number of high-quality training programs and international joint training programs in a socially oriented direction; and continue to innovate and improve the training management system.

Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Kim - Secretary of the Party Committee, Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, presented the preliminary report on the implementation of tasks in the 2016-2017 academic year.

In addition, the University will focus on developing high-quality human resources in science and technology, including leading experts; participate extensively in key national and local science programs; diversify international cooperation in science and technology activities; and increase international publications in high-impact international journals.

Sharing his thoughts on the challenges and difficulties the University faces in the current context, the Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Nguyen Kim Son, stated: "In the past 20 years, higher education in general, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and universities specializing in basic sciences in particular, have never faced so many pivotal challenges as they do today. These challenges and demands for innovation stem from the depth of a series of policies as well as the trends in higher education reform in Vietnam. In this context, social sciences and humanities need to be recognized for their proper position and role, both in terms of investment and exploitation."

Associate Professor Tran Thi Minh Hoa - Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, presented the 2016 financial report.

The Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, shared that he was impressed with the university's efforts in international publications, but even more impressed by the figure of over 600 domestic publications each year. The key issue is the depth of these publications and how the university connects these products to create its own unique academic voice.

The leaders of Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) also mentioned the issue of university autonomy as an inevitable trend that the University needs to prepare thoroughly for in the next few years. This is not only a challenge but also an opportunity for the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and VNU to change, even to "transform" itself into a new image. This will be supported by the context of VNU's brand increasingly attracting attention and positive evaluation from the public. In addition, the spirit of sharing and cooperation, as an inherent need among VNU members, is growing stronger.

Chairman of the working group at the Conference

To achieve university autonomy, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities needs to restructure its organization to be more streamlined and efficient. Training programs need to be reviewed and restructured to create new strengths within a shared strategy and collective will. The university could also design additional joint training programs with other units within the Vietnam National University, Hanoi to leverage its multidisciplinary strengths and meet the diverse needs of learners. Regarding postgraduate training, the university also needs to proactively secure student intakes and strengthen communication activities in the new context.

Another crucial element in achieving university autonomy is the application of advanced university governance. Effective university governance strengthens the institution, enabling the rapid launch of new programs and the creation of a free, open, and inclusive academic environment that embraces diversity. Governance forms the foundation for significant adjustments in many other areas.

The Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Nguyen Kim Son, presented the Certificate of Accreditation from the ASEAN University Network to the Bachelor of Philosophy program.

Regarding scientific research, the Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, suggested that the University must always affirm its academic position at the national level with high-quality and nationally significant scientific works, such as participating in the development of the National History curriculum and the national geographical catalog, which bear the mark of the times. It should not only aim to create "big projects" in science, but also deepen scientific activities with regular and effective work starting from the departmental and faculty levels.

Finally, the VNU leadership affirmed their belief in the tradition and potential of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, which, the more challenging and difficult the circumstances, the more it can unleash its internal strength. The current difficulties are also an opportunity for the University to rise to a new level.

Representatives of the Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) leadership took a commemorative photo with the Board of Directors of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.