Key events and achievements of Vietnam National University, Hanoi in 2021

THE GOVERNMENT ASSIGNED VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI, TO CARRY OUT MANY MAJOR TASKS FOR THE COUNTRY.

On November 28, 2021, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam chaired a working session with the leadership of Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU). At the meeting, the Prime Minister commended the achievements of VNU's administrators, scientists, staff, students, and pupils. The Prime Minister emphasized: “Based on inheritance, stability, innovation, and development, VNU has a team of staff and scientists with immense potential; a glorious and proud historical tradition, with many leaders of the Party, State, and agencies within the political system having studied and trained here. VNU also receives the affection, trust, and admiration of the people; recognition in international rankings; and the attention of the Party and State with the allocation of over 1,000 hectares of land for the construction of VNU in Hoa Lac.”

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh works with the leadership of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, on November 28, 2021.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested that the Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) focus its resources on continued development, enhancing its position, contributing to raising the intellectual level of the people, training high-quality human resources, nurturing talents, and effectively serving the three strategic breakthroughs in the new phase as the whole country implements the Resolution of the 13th National Congress of the Party; establishing mechanisms to maximize human resources so that staff can contribute even more; and harmoniously, rationally, and effectively managing the relationship between the State, society, and the market, strengthening public-private cooperation. The Prime Minister also noted the need to implement the VNU construction project in Hoa Lac with high determination, following the "5-in-1" model in this university urban area: a talent training center; a modern technology transfer and research center; a national and international-level innovation center; a smart and modern university city; and a center for testing public-private cooperation and research and training.

PRIME MINISTER APPOINTS DIRECTOR AND VICE DIRECTOR OF VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI

On June 24, 2021, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh signed Decision No. 998/QD-TTg appointing Professor Dr. Le Quan – Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ca Mau province, former Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, and former Vice Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi – to the position of Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi. In his inaugural speech, the new Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Le Quan, expressed his determination and commitment to working together with the staff, lecturers, scientists, students, and postgraduate students to build Vietnam National University, Hanoi into a leading university, playing a pioneering role in the reform of higher education in Vietnam, and affirming its high position both domestically and internationally.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam presents the appointment decision for the Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi to Prof. Dr. Le Quan, June 28, 2021.

Previously, at the 11th session of the 14th National Assembly, Chairman of the Council and former Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Nguyen Kim Son, was approved by the National Assembly to hold the position of Minister of Education and Training.

On December 27, 2021, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam signed Decision No. 2206/QD-TTg appointing Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Hieu - Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Head of the Personnel Organization Department - to the position of Vice Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

VIBRANT COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

Despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU)'s international and domestic cooperation activities in 2021 remained vibrant, contributing to affirming VNU's prestige, brand, and position in the Vietnamese and regional education systems. These cooperation activities were diverse in form, with many effective training and research cooperation programs, demonstrating VNU's strengths and potential for collaboration. International conferences and seminars also saw significant progress, with 60 conferences and seminars organized by VNU units in collaboration with international partners, using a hybrid format combining in-person and online participation.

Leaders of Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) held a working meeting with the Central Economic Committee on October 19, 2021.

In 2021, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) signed 21 cooperation agreements with domestic and international partners, facilitating the promotion of specific cooperation activities in training, human resource development, scientific research and technology transfer, as well as consulting, reviewing, and recommending policies.

As part of the Australia-Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU), a short-term training program for outstanding English lecturers in Southeast Asia, conducted by IELTS IDP experts, attracted 200 participants, including 47 VNU staff and lecturers. Over 100 VNU students participated in training on writing CVs and answering interview questions in English; and attended workshops including: Secrets to Achieving Maximum IELTS Scores – Insights from IELTS Experts; Comprehensive English Proficiency Enhancement – ​​Realizing University and Study Abroad Goals; and the Australian Education Exhibition featuring 22 universities from Australia.

PROMOTING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND NEW POLICIES IN UNIVERSITY GOVERNANCE

Digital transformation is being strongly implemented at Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU). Management within VNU currently operates through convenient and interconnected software and databases. The application of digital technology in teaching and learning, as well as the development of digital learning resources, is expanding, enabling learners to study anytime, anywhere. Due to the complex developments of the Covid-19 pandemic, VNU implemented online teaching and learning for students until the end of the first semester of the 2021-2022 academic year.

Scientific and technological activities have also undergone a transformation by integrating digital technology into scientific and technological products and research tasks, aiming to create products with artificial intelligence applications, contributing to promoting the commercialization of products in the environment of the digital economy.

Also in 2021, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) issued many new policies and regulations to promote training and scientific research activities and create a foundation for the development of VNU in the present and future.

Meeting with former and current leaders of Vietnam National University, Hanoi on the occasion of Vietnamese Teachers' Day, November 20th.

On December 27, 2021, the Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) signed Decision No. 4326/QD-VNU promulgating regulations on working regimes for lecturers at VNU, with many progressive and internationally integrated points. Implementing a policy of valuing highly qualified scientists, VNU also assigned the VNU Hospital to develop a program for personalized health consultations and high-standard periodic health check-ups for VNU Professors and Associate Professors.

Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) is developing and implementing a project titled "Investment in the Development of Basic Sciences" with a focus on prioritizing investment and improving these fields through mechanisms proposed by individual units or commissioned by VNU, in order to train and develop scientific and technological human resources for the country, and a team of highly qualified theoretical research staff for the Party and central agencies.

To increase high-quality resources and develop a team of highly qualified lecturers and scientists to serve the development and integration of the country, in 2021, Vietnam National University, Hanoi also approved the project "Incubating Young Scientists at Vietnam National University, Hanoi until 2025, with a vision to 2030".

On November 19, 2021, the Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) signed Decision No. 3688/QD-VNU promulgating regulations on scholarship support for doctoral students and postdoctoral interns at VNU. Accordingly, VNU provides scholarships of up to VND 100 million per year for doctoral students and VND 120 million per year for young PhDs with outstanding research capabilities and international publications. This policy promises to have a significant impact, creating a breakthrough in improving the quality and effectiveness of VNU's training and scientific research activities.

In addition, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) also aims to expand its talent training programs and support programs, creating opportunities for talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds to study at VNU. The purpose of developing high-quality talent training programs is to identify, discover, train, and nurture students with outstanding academic and research abilities, creative capacity, and a passion for scientific research.

Workshop on training in engineering and technology fields in the context of the 4.0 Industrial Revolution, jointly organized by Vietnam National University, Hanoi and the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, on November 19, 2021.

In particular, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) continues to promote the development of interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral training programs, with a special priority given to engineering and technology fields. VNU's engineering and technology programs are keeping pace with new trends, thereby increasing resources for VNU's development in the context of university autonomy; aligning with the development orientation and the country's requirements for high-quality human resources in the new era.

In 2021, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) granted financial autonomy to several member and affiliated units for the period 2022-2025, based on the financial autonomy classification for public non-profit organizations. These units include: the University of Technology, the University of Economics, and the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Sciences. This policy contributes to promoting the ongoing and strong university autonomy movement.

THE HOA LAC PROJECT IS TRANSFORMING AND DETERMINED TO BRING STUDENTS TO STUDY IN HOA LAC.

The HT1 and HT2 buildings in Zone 4 of the University of Science, part of Dormitory Area No. 4 of the Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) construction project in Hoa Lac, are ready to accommodate nearly 4,000 students according to the design scale. The construction of VNU in Hoa Lac ensures a design philosophy of a smart, green, modern, and sustainable university city.

Besides efforts to clear land and mobilize resources, and implement component projects of the Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) construction investment project in Hoa Lac, the VNU Board of Directors has decided to welcome students to study at the Hoa Lac campus in September 2022. VNU prioritizes newly enrolled students in 2022 in several fields of study including engineering and technology, social sciences and humanities, and economics and law, following the A+B model with interdisciplinary and inter-unit training, who will study together at the Hoa Lac campus. Currently, VNU is striving to prepare the necessary infrastructure and other quality assurance conditions so that students can study and live in a green, modern, and advanced university environment according to international standards.

Also in 2021, the Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) signed Decision No. 3333/QD-VNU dated October 28, 2021, establishing the Project Management Board for the “Development of Vietnamese National Universities – VNU Sub-Project”, abbreviated as the World Bank Project Management Board – to manage the investment project for the construction of essential facilities in Hoa Lac using World Bank credit. Subsequently, on December 17, 2021, the Director of VNU signed Decision No. 4166/QD-VNU promulgating the Regulations on the Organization and Operation of the World Bank Project Management Board.

ENHANCE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL POTENTIAL, PROMOTE THE TRANSFER OF RESEARCH ACHIEVEMENTS INTO REAL LIFE.

Over the past year, the scientific and technological potential at Vietnam National University, Hanoi has received significant investment and development. The number of international publications has steadily increased, reaching 1,100 ISI/Scopus articles. Inventions, patents, and the transfer of research achievements into practice have been continuously promoted. The transfer of research results has effectively contributed to solving practical problems facing society.

Many mechanisms and policies to value and reward scientists and scientific and technological products have also been implemented, creating momentum to promote the development of scientific and technological potential, such as: Regulations on intellectual property in VNU, Regulations on the recognition, management and development of key laboratories and key research centers at VNU level…

In line with the mission of Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU), and the socio-economic development of the country, VNU continues to demonstrate its national responsibility by participating in and leading research programs of significant scale, possessing contemporary, national, and humanistic values, and having high scientific and practical significance for the development of society and the country, such as: the Science and Technology Program for Sustainable Development of the Northwest Region, the Project to Build the National Geographical Encyclopedia of Vietnam, the Vietnam Studies Documentation Center, the Project on Translation and Promotion of the Quintessence of Eastern Classical Works…

Also in 2021, four scientific works were awarded the VNU Prize for Science and Technology. This award aims to encourage and honor outstanding achievements in scientific research by scientists inside and outside VNU, contributing to building a favorable academic environment, promoting the development of science and technology potential, and affirming VNU's leading position in the system of higher education institutions and science and technology organizations in the country. The award is held every three years.

ENHANCED NATIONAL STATUS AND RESPONSIBILITY

On September 15, 2021, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) launched an online channel to support primary education. This system provides online and in-person support for primary school teachers, parents, and students in remote, disadvantaged areas in particular, and localities nationwide in general.

The online channel supporting primary education officially launched and became operational on September 15, 2021.

On November 5, 2021, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) launched the Higher Education and Vocational Training Quality Channel. The channel was established to create and develop a platform to promote a culture of quality in higher education and vocational training at universities and colleges in Vietnam.

The Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) has also assigned the University of Social Sciences and Humanities to implement a Vietnamese language training channel for Vietnamese people abroad. This activity demonstrates VNU's responsibility in preserving, strengthening, and developing the Vietnamese language and national cultural identity; arousing and promoting a sense of patriotism; and contributing to the promotion of the Vietnamese language and culture abroad.

Launch Ceremony of the Higher Education and Vocational Training Quality Channel, November 5, 2021

With strong determination to join the whole country in preventing and controlling the Covid-19 pandemic, scientists at Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) have also contributed their intellect and efforts to research and conduct trials to master the technology of producing mRNA vaccines that react quickly to Covid-19 variants; and modeling techniques to help virtually screen compounds on computers to find compounds or drugs that effectively treat Covid-19. VNU also organized a scientific seminar "Proposing solutions to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic in the new situation in Vietnam" with the participation of leading scientists and experts, exchanging and discussing proposals to the Government on groups of solutions to achieve the dual goal - both preventing and controlling the disease and restoring and developing the socio-economic situation.

In addition, lecturers, doctors, and students from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, directly traveled to the South to support the examination and treatment of Covid-19 cases; staff, lecturers, and scientists of Vietnam National University, Hanoi participated in the Rapid Response Information Team for Covid-19 prevention and control under the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control.

 MAINTAINING OUR POSITION AND ENHANCING OUR REPUTATION ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE

According to the QS World University Rankings 2022, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) continues to be ranked in the 801-1000 group of the best universities globally. This is the fourth consecutive year that VNU has been in this group. Although consistently maintaining this ranking group, VNU's ranking score has steadily increased. According to the same ranking, VNU is ranked 147th among the best higher education institutions in Asia in 2022 – the same ranking achieved in QS AUR 2020, but rising to 21.4%.

In 2021, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) continued to have many fields ranked world-class by QS and THE, including: Mathematics; Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace and Manufacturing; Computer Science and Information Systems; Physics & Astronomy; Business & Management Studies; Natural Sciences; Engineering; and Computer Science. The Social Sciences field made its first appearance in the Times Higher Education subject rankings in 2022, placing it in the 501-600 group globally.

Most recently, the US News & World Report magazine published the results of its Best Global Universities ranking. According to the ranking, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) is ranked 938th in the world, an increase of 11 places compared to the previous ranking. In this ranking, the Physics field of VNU continues to be ranked, at position 635 globally.

IMPROVING THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY, MULTI-FIELD UNIVERSITIES WITH THE AFFILIATED SCHOOL MODEL

On December 1, 2021, the Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) signed Decision No. 3868/QD-VNU establishing the International School based on the reorganization of the International Faculty and Decision No. 3869/QD-VNU establishing the School of Management and Business based on the reorganization of the Faculty of Management and Business.

The establishment of the School, based on the adjustment and reorganization of its affiliated Faculties, will help VNU effectively utilize and leverage resources from the advantages of the university model, as well as create conditions to attract human and financial resources from outside; further perfecting the research and innovation university model on the foundation of developing core groups capable of effectively implementing pilot policies on training, scientific research, international cooperation and integration, especially those with financial autonomy.

According to the decision, the International School and the School of Management and Business are two training and scientific research units; they are self-sufficient in covering their operating and investment expenses, have their own seals and bank accounts for transactions; and are organized and operate in accordance with relevant laws, the Regulations on the Organization and Operation of the National University and its member higher education institutions issued by the Prime Minister, and the Regulations on the Organization and Operation of the School issued by the Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

MANY ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS HONORED

In 2021, several member and affiliated units of Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) organized activities to commemorate their traditional anniversaries and development milestones: the University of Science – formerly Hanoi University, celebrated its 65th anniversary and received the Third-Class Labor Medal for the second time (1956 – 2021); the Faculty of Law – VNU celebrated its 45th anniversary (1976 – 2021); and the Tran Nhan Tong Institute celebrated its 5th anniversary of establishment and development.

This year, two works by scientists from Vietnam National University, Hanoi, were approved by the State Council for the Ho Chi Minh Prize and the State Prize for Science and Technology (6th round): the work "The Anti-Colonialist Movement in Vietnam" by the late Professor Dr. Dinh Xuan Lam and the work "Modern Vietnamese Poetry" by Professor Dr. Le Van Lan (pen name Ma Giang Lan).

In 2021, according to the results published in the US journal PLoS Biology on the ranking of citation influence in the scientific community, two scientists from Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Professor Dr. Nguyen Dinh Duc and Associate Professor Dr. Le Hoang Son, continued to be named in the list of the 10,000 most influential scientists. Leading the list of Vietnamese scientists is Professor Dr. Nguyen Dinh Duc, ranked 5,949th in the world and 96th in the field of Engineering, followed by Associate Professor Dr. Le Hoang Son, ranked 6,766th.

Also in 2021, Dr. Nguyen Thi An Hang - Director of the Master's Program in Environmental Engineering, Vietnam-Japan University - was honored to receive the Vietnam Women's Award for outstanding achievements both domestically and internationally.

Recently, Ms. Le Hoang Quynh, M.Sc. – Lecturer at the University of Technology, was honored to receive the 2021 Golden Globe Award in the field of Information Technology, Digital Transformation and Automation. This award is presented by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union.

Students from the High School for Gifted Students in Natural Sciences participating in international Olympiads won 1 Gold medal, 4 Silver medals, and 1 Bronze medal. The delegation from the High School for Gifted Students in Natural Sciences was honored to receive 5 Labor Orders from the President of Vietnam, 1 Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister, and 2 Certificates of Merit from the Minister of Education and Training for their achievements in the 2021 International Olympiads and International Science and Technology Competitions.