For many years, the Faculty of Journalism and Communication (University of Social Sciences and Humanities) has been one of the most attractive training institutions for society. The Faculty's graduates are characterized by dynamism, a solid foundation of knowledge, strong skills and adaptability to their profession, along with high ethical standards and a strong sense of responsibility towards society. Building on this foundation, the Faculty continues to implement significant innovations to improve the quality of training, providing even broader learning and career opportunities for its students.
Leading department
The Faculty of Journalism and Communication was established in 1990 and has since had 23 years of development. To date, the Faculty has maintained its position as a leading journalism training institution in the country.
The Faculty's current departmental structure is quite stable, comprising: Print Journalism – Online Journalism, Radio – Television, Media Studies, and PR – Advertising. The faculty consists of 60 full-time and part-time lecturers, including highly qualified scientists and researchers, many journalists, media experts, managers, and professionals working in the fields of journalism and media. The Faculty is one of the first journalism training institutions to have a complete training system at all levels, from bachelor's to doctoral degrees, from full-time to part-time programs.
The Journalism curriculum is designed to ensure that graduates achieve the following goals: knowledge, skills, and professional ethics. The program includes blocks of basic science knowledge; knowledge in related fields; fundamental knowledge of the field; and specialized knowledge. Students are equipped with fundamental knowledge of social sciences and humanities, foundational knowledge of communication, and in-depth knowledge of specific journalistic areas such as print, radio, television, online journalism, and public relations. Furthermore, professional skills and ethics are also a key focus of the training program, ensuring that journalism graduates can work professionally and with a high sense of responsibility towards society.
The Journalism Workshop on Environment in Vietnam was organized by the Faculty of Journalism and Communication in May 2012.
Asserting a unique identity
It is no coincidence that, compared to other training institutions, graduates from the Faculty of Journalism and Communication (University of Social Sciences and Humanities) are consistently highly regarded for their professional competence. They mature and adapt quickly to various positions. Many former students of the Faculty have shared that the comprehensive foundational knowledge in social sciences and humanities, acquired from leading professors and experts, along with the scientific thinking and research methods honed within the university, have given them a scientific, objective, and practical perspective when analyzing and evaluating issues in life. In other words, the Faculty of Journalism and Communication enjoys a significant advantage by being affiliated with a leading, fundamental university with a tradition of high-quality training and research renowned both domestically and internationally. The unique "quality" of journalism students lies in the depth of their scientific and social knowledge; in their sharp thinking and insightful perspectives; It lies in the courage and dedication of those with knowledge and unique creative personalities. To date, with that ability and personality, thousands of journalism students have contributed to building a distinct and unmistakable brand – the brand of students from the Faculty of Journalism and Communication, University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
Students of the Faculty of Journalism and Communication have the opportunity to practice with modern equipment at the Center for Journalism and Communication Professional Training.
In previous years, the ability to gain practical professional experience while still in university was considered a limitation for university students in general, including journalism students. However, this view is no longer true thanks to the innovative and decisive changes in the training activities of the Faculty of Journalism and Communication. From the very first years, students have been taught and mentored by reputable journalists in various fields of print, radio, and television journalism. The university also has a Center for Journalism and Communication Professional Development (CMP) – equipped with modern broadcasting and television equipment, studios, and lecture halls comparable to those of current press and television agencies – which strongly supports the Faculty in providing practical professional training for students. The Faculty has signed official cooperation agreements with many media outlets, including the Law Newspaper, to allow professional journalists to participate in training activities that are closer to the real-world professional environment. Student projects from the Faculty of Journalism and Communication are regularly published in the daily edition of the Law Newspaper. The Faculty also has a new regulation regarding graduation theses, allowing students to create a television program instead of a traditional thesis and defend it before a committee. This regulation has been well-received by students in recent years and has shown positive results. Students have been strongly inspired by their future careers. Many student graduation films are of sufficient quality to be broadcast on television. Notably, some student-produced films have won high awards at major film festivals.
New directions
In 2013, the Faculty of Journalism and Communication for the first time offered a new major: Public Relations. Prior to that, the Faculty was the first institution in Vietnam to teach Public Relations. This subject had been included as a core curriculum in the Faculty of Journalism and Communication, as well as many other faculties within the University, for many years, laying the initial foundation for the new major.
The Public Relations training program is developed based on the training program of the University of Maryland (USA), with consultation from employers and public relations experts, and based on a specific survey of the demand for public relations personnel in the Vietnamese labor market.
Students majoring in Public Relations will be equipped with a foundational knowledge of social sciences and humanities, basic knowledge of communication and organizational management, brand management, and theoretical and practical knowledge of public relations such as relations with the press and media, event organization, program and campaign development, and PR plans to adapt to each client's requirements. Many courses in the curriculum will be taught directly by directors and senior managers of media companies – with extensive practical experience.
The Faculty of Journalism and Communication has signed strategic cooperation agreements with three leading media companies (T&A Media Company, Ogilvy Vietnam Company, and Le Bros Media Company) to implement many specific collaborative activities in the field of public relations. Accordingly, students have the opportunity to experience their chosen profession from their early years.
It can be said that the Public Relations major has the potential to become a new strength of the Faculty by continuing to leverage the advantages and training experience of the University, the Faculty, and the Journalism department. This new major will also contribute to affirming the leading training institution in Journalism and Communication of the Faculty of Journalism and Communication, University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
Beyond mere entertainment, the extracurricular programs for students of the Faculty of Broadcasting and Communication are truly valuable practical training sessions.
Over the past year, dual degree programs have also been a promising direction that the Faculty aims to pursue. With the advantage of the credit-based training method, students can proactively develop their study plans, shorten their study time, and integrate courses to pursue two degrees simultaneously. In the future, dual degree programs in Journalism and Public Relations with other majors inside and outside the university will be implemented to provide broader career opportunities for Journalism and Communication students. After four years of study, Journalism students can also accumulate knowledge for another year to receive an additional Bachelor's degree in Public Relations. This dynamic articulation demonstrates the Faculty's efforts to better meet the diverse needs of learners.