Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Giang: Indochina University - prompting reflections on modern higher education.

Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Giang - Chairman of the Science and Training Council, Vietnam National University, Hanoi

Indochina University - a proud milestone

- Professor, how do you assess the establishment of the University of Indochina by the French in 1906?

To assess this, we need to consider the historical context of that period. Vietnam is a nation with a tradition of valuing education and is considered to have a talent for learning, examinations, and achieving success. The Temple of Literature, established in the 11th century, is a famous symbol of Confucian education. Many people from the common people, thanks to their talent and discovery through examinations, had the opportunity to participate in the ranks of policymakers at various levels of government. However, the feudal regime of Vietnam at the end of the Nguyen dynasty, due to the conservative policies of the court, fell into a state of crisis and backwardness, failing to catch up with the world. The country weakened and lost its independence after the fall of the capital in 1885.

Becoming a French colony was a misfortune for a nation plunged into slavery, deprived of even the most basic freedoms. Meanwhile, the colonial government always looked after the interests of the mother country and the French people. That is the essence of colonialism. However, it would be a mistake to apply a perspective based solely on this "negation of plain books"That means anything produced under colonial rule, by the colonial government, is harmful and must be criticized."

At the end of the 19th century, when our country was heading towards a dead end in its development due to the backward and conservative policies of the feudal government, the influence, however unconscious, of European civilization brought about positive changes in Vietnamese society. This included changes in the organizational structure of the state towards bourgeois democracy, and the emergence of modern movements in society and cultural life, all influenced and disseminated by European civilization.

The University of Indochina was founded in that context. It was the first modern university institution in Vietnam. The French established the University of Indochina primarily to build a higher education institution to serve the need to train a team of indigenous intellectuals who could participate in their governing apparatus. But in a broader sense, building the University of Indochina also had the meaning of civilizing and raising the intellectual level of French Indochina.

Furthermore, another factor contributing to this decision was that at the beginning of the 20th century, before Japan's victory in the Russo-Japanese War (1905), the Vietnamese seemed to see the light of the path to national liberation from the Meiji Restoration movement, learning from Japan's example. Hundreds of outstanding young people were organized by patriotic intellectuals and sent to Japan to study. The French recognized the high demand for education among the Vietnamese, which further spurred them to build a modern training facility based on the Western model, completely breaking with the millennia-old traditional education system in Vietnam.

The trend of adopting Western-style university models in Asia during this period was inevitable. For example, Malaysia adopted the British university model, the Philippines the Spanish model, and so did China and South Korea... To this day, all these countries consider Western-style universities a source of pride. They see them as the pinnacle of intellectual achievement and a change that keeps pace with the times.

Professor, what direct contributions did Indochina University make to the national education system?

The University of Indochina was a gathering place for many famous scientists who came to teach and conduct research, such as Dr. Alexandre Yersin, a renowned expert in epidemiology with world-class scientific works. From here, many modern academic fields for Vietnam were established, such as Medicine, Pharmacy, Fine Arts, Law, etc. These professions made significant contributions to the development of many broad and diverse research fields in Vietnam later on. For example, the medical field in Vietnam gained worldwide recognition with names like Ton That Tung and Ton That Bach. Vietnamese painting schools boasted names like Nguyen Gia Tri, Bui Xuan Phai, and To Ngoc Van… Therefore, it can be affirmed that the historical significance of the University of Indochina lies not only in its position as the first university institution, but also in its direct contribution to the development of several new academic fields in Vietnam later on.

Another significant contribution of the University of Indochina is that it produced outstanding individuals who made great contributions to the Vietnamese Revolution, such as Dang Xuan Khu, a former student of the Commercial School of the University of Indochina, who later became the General Secretary of the Vietnam Labor Party; and Vo Nguyen Giap, a student of the Faculty of Law at the University of Indochina, who later became the General and Commander-in-Chief of the Vietnam People's Army. This tradition was continued by subsequent generations. During the resistance war against the French, medical and pharmaceutical students who evacuated to the resistance zones made significant contributions to the resistance. Later, when the University of Hanoi was established, inheriting the entire legacy of the University of Indochina, it became a leading institution in Vietnamese education, teaching all basic sciences and providing human resources for many universities, research institutes, and other scientific and educational organizations.

With all those meanings, Indochina University is considered the beginning of modern Vietnamese education, a worthy milestone in the development of Vietnamese education.

- As a university built by the French, but later becoming the precursor to leading universities in Vietnam in subsequent periods, what thoughts does this leave for you, Professor?

One event worth mentioning is that at the end of 1945, after the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was established amidst overwhelming difficulties and countless tasks, President Ho Chi Minh still found time to visit and attend the opening ceremony of the University of Indochina, which had by then been renamed the National University of Vietnam. This was an event of special significance not only for the National University but also for the revolutionary cause and the nation. The fact that the President of the Revolutionary Government presided over the graduation ceremony for those trained by the French university was a recognition of the contributions, values, and influence that the University of Indochina had brought. That is a truly commendable significance.

Towards an Internationalized Nature for Vietnamese Higher Education

Professor, despite being established nearly a century apart, what similarities can be found between the former Vietnam National University, Hanoi and the former Indochina University?

The University of Indochina can be considered the starting point for our country's education following the modern model of the world. The inheritance that the Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) receives from the University of Indochina is, first and foremost, the reputation of an internationally recognized university, already highly ranked globally. This is extremely valuable for a university.

Established by Government Decree in 1993, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU-Hanoi) is a continuation of the multidisciplinary university model, but elevated to a new level with new expectations. VNU-Hanoi was founded to meet the urgent need for a leading university to guide the development of high-level higher education. Party and State leaders expect it to be a "steel fist" that will help create a new face for higher education.

At that time, we recognized the limitations of specialized universities, which were built to serve a highly planned economy. Universities were assigned specific human resource quotas for training. However, the shortcoming and deficiency lay in the fact that universities, as centers for creating new knowledge, must develop on a foundation of basic research. Specialized universities cannot simultaneously excel in their specialized fields and be strong in basic science. Therefore, basic science development stagnated, while applied training became prevalent. For example, the former Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy at Indochina University developed on a foundation of basic research in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology to truly achieve the full potential of Medicine and Pharmacy. Only on a solid foundation of basic science can specialized and applied scientific fields truly develop, and universities fully utilize their strengths. This is the strength of multidisciplinary universities; otherwise, they will remain stagnant.Clinical medicine(healing) andPharmaceutical formulations(manufacturing pharmaceuticals).

The similarities are not only reflected in the historical mission they undertake, in their multidisciplinary and multi-field models as their most important characteristics, but also in many other criteria and values ​​that both universities possess or pursue. These include high quality, high standards, a focus on achieving top-level accomplishments, and now, internationalization. If the former University of Indochina trained many individuals who held key positions in research institutes and administrative agencies of Indochina, today, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) also undertakes the mission of training high-quality human resources. Many VNU alumni have held and continue to hold important positions in the education, research, and administrative systems at all levels of the country.

- This year marks the 110th anniversary of the founding of the University of Indochina – is this a significant time to reflect on or draw lessons for the future development of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Professor?

In 2006, when we first celebrated the 100th anniversary of the founding of the University of Indochina, we mainly focused on summarizing the achievements of the Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) from a historical perspective and assessing its historical significance. At this point, we need to think more about the mission of this leading university, not only as a high-quality educational institution for the whole country: VNU must have the mission of creating a national educational landscape worthy of regional and international recognition.

Over the years, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) has represented Vietnam in numerous regional and global organizations. However, to build a higher education system worthy of regional and international recognition, we still have much to strive for. VNU must achieve a high ranking and become a symbol of Vietnam in the global higher education system.

- What should Vietnam National University, Hanoi do to achieve the goals that the professor just mentioned?

We must consider selecting our strengths to focus our investment on, rather than spreading ourselves too thin. World-renowned universities like Harvard and Cambridge only have a few outstanding fields that have created their reputation. Vietnam National University, Hanoi, cannot simply aim for high quality and high standards in general; it must choose specific areas that define its unique identity.

I would like to share more about my impressions of the establishment of the Vietnam-Japan University at VNU in 2014.⁽¹⁾If the University of Indochina, established in 1906, was a highly international entity, with most of its professors being foreigners, and at one point having a large number of international students, its international character has somewhat diminished over time. Today, with the Vietnam-Japan University, whose president is Professor Furuta Motoo, former Vice-Director of the University of Tokyo, we have an international university within the Vietnam National University, Hanoi. With the support of both governments, many international professors, and even experts from other countries such as Europe and America besides Japan, will come to teach here. This is an opportunity for us to enhance the international nature of teaching and research activities at the Vietnam National University, Hanoi, laying the foundation for a stronger breakthrough in the university's position in regional and international education rankings.

- Recently, the Rector of Hanoi National University, Phung Xuan Nha, was appointed by the Party and the State to the position of Minister of Education and Training. Professor, could you share your thoughts on this event?

From its inception, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) has clearly defined its mission as a leading force in educational innovation, taking pioneering steps in many fields. In 2012, VNU's position was clearly defined in the Law on Higher Education.⁽²⁾The Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) has also begun to appear on regional rankings. These are the results of a process of overcoming many difficulties and persevering with its goals and values.

One of the missions of the Vietnam National University is to serve as a cornerstone of Vietnam's higher education system. The appointment of the Director of the Vietnam National University, Hanoi, to the position of Minister of Education and Training will be a very favorable opportunity for that mission to be fulfilled. The advantage lies in the fact that Director Phung Xuan Nha has a deep understanding of the Vietnam National University and a firm grasp of the major policies of the Party and State when deciding to establish two national universities.

I believe we will have more support, encouragement, and new opportunities to continue fulfilling our mission within the national education system.

Thank you very much, Professor!

Note:

1. Vietnam Universitybelonging to Hanoi National Universityapproved by the Prime Ministersigned to establish according toDecision No. 1186/QD-TTg dated July 21, 2014.
2. The Law on Higher Education was passed by the 13th National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam at its 3rd session on June 18, 2012, in which the National University is stipulated in Article 8 of this law (excerpt from Article 8 below):

Article 8. National University

1. National universities are centers for high-quality, multidisciplinary training, scientific research, and technology, and are prioritized for investment and development by the State.

2. National universities have a high degree of autonomy in activities related to training, scientific research, finance, international relations, and organizational structure. National universities are subject to state management by the Ministry of Education and Training, other ministries and agencies, and the People's Committees at all levels where the national university is located, within the scope of their functions as prescribed by the Government and in accordance with the law.

National universities work directly with ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, and provincial and city People's Committees to resolve issues related to national universities. When necessary, the director of the national university reports to the Prime Minister on issues related to the operation and development of the national university.

3. The chairman of the national university council and the director and deputy director of the national university are appointed and dismissed by the Prime Minister.

4. The government shall specify the functions, duties, and powers of national universities.