After a long period of training boom and then human resource saturation in the once “hot” sectors such as economics, foreign trade, banking… in the labor market, society seems to have changed in the way it perceives and evaluates training professions. And basic sciences – along with the efforts of innovation and self-mobilization of training institutions to suit social needs – are proving more than ever that they have special advantages…
Candidates are more interested in science and technology majors
During the 2012 and 2013 university admission season at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU, the number of applications for various majors had a surprising change compared to previous years. In 2012, the number of applications for the University increased by nearly 27%. In 2013 alone, there were 06 training majors with the number of registration applications increasing by 40% or more compared to 2012, focusing on many basic science majors such as: Linguistics (increased by 240%), Literature Pedagogy (increased by 77.63%), Han Nom (increased by 69.9%), Anthropology (increased by 62.7%), History Pedagogy (increased by 46.15%)... Some other basic science majors also had a notable increase in the number of registration applications such as: Philosophy (increased by 27.42%), Literature (increased by 18.12%), History (increased by 13.64%).
In addition, the number of applications for block D (the block in which candidates are assessed to have good academic performance in both natural and social subjects) increased significantly from 1,919 applications in 2012 to 2,593 applications in 2013 (an increase of 35%). The number of applications for block A increased by 5%, and block B increased by 20%.
Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Kim (Vice Principal of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) said that this is a good sign showing that society and learners in general have a positive view of basic sciences, especially social sciences and humanities. Even for new exam blocks such as block A and B to the University, the number of applications has increased significantly.
Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Kim also believes that this change in social needs is inevitable in the current context: “There was a long period when we had incorrect perceptions about the role of basic sciences. In the previous period of rapid growth, society valued new fields such as technology, foreign languages, finance, etc., but now, we have gradually restored the right stature and worthy position for basic sciences in the development of science, education, cultural preservation as well as the development and international integration of our country.”
In addition, students of basic sciences are also increasingly receiving incentives and support in the process of studying, researching and finding jobs. In the 2012-2013 school year, for the first time, there is a preferential policy for students of 6 basic sciences (Political Science, Han Nom, History, Anthropology, Philosophy, Literature) of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. Accordingly, students of these majors will receive scholarships of 4,200,000 VND/student/year; and can participate in professional development courses organized by the University without having to pay tuition. This is the latest incentive in the program to support the development of basic sciences of VNU.
Attract learners with quality training
For a long time, the pressure of new human resource needs from the market economy has put many universities with basic science majors in front of the choice of having to change in order to adapt and survive. Many schools, in order to follow the trend, have expanded training in professions that they are not really qualified for, and many schools have let their traditional training majors, which are their strengths, be stunted. In that situation, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU, has had the right direction by persistently maintaining the quality of training, gradually promoting and spreading the advantages of basic science majors to many new applied science majors. Currently, the system of training majors of the School is rich, ranging from basic sciences with rich traditions such as History, Language, Literature, Philosophy... to new majors with great potential for development and loved by learners such as: Journalism and Communication, Oriental Studies, International Studies, Psychology, Sociology, Tourism Studies, Information Science, Office Administration, Vietnam Studies, Public Relations,... The strong tradition of training in basic sciences has helped the School's majors have their own identity, helping the School's students to acquire specialized knowledge well on a solid foundation of knowledge in Social Sciences and Humanities.
In an effort to innovate and maintain the quality of training, the School has been converting the year-based training method to credit-based training for more than 4 years, aiming to create stronger connections between training programs, helping students to be more proactive and active in building their study plans, to be able to study ahead, study early and get a university degree in just over 3 years. In addition to the standard system, the School has a number of high-quality and international systems to provide students with the best learning opportunities.
Last school year, the University successfully converted its training program according to output standards to help training products increasingly meet the needs of the labor market and move towards strong integration with regional and world education and training. Also in the 2012-2013 school year, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities was granted a national quality accreditation certificate with 60/61 criteria meeting the standards.
Basic science: wide range of careers
“Students studying basic sciences at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities have many advantages” – Prof. Vu Duong Ninh (former Head of the Faculty of International Studies) affirmed. Because the training tradition from Hanoi National University to the current University of Social Sciences and Humanities is that in addition to providing general and basic knowledge, it also attaches special importance to teaching research skills, thinking methods, ways of perceiving and analyzing problems. It is scientific and objective thinking that helps learners have an accurate perspective in evaluating and solving many problems in work and life later. Many people, although not working in the field they were trained in, but because of their basic knowledge and logical thinking methods, have performed well in their professional and management work.
Dr. Nguyen Quang Lieu (Head of the Department of Politics and Student Affairs, University of Social Sciences and Humanities) said that in the current period, students majoring in basic sciences have a high chance of finding jobs. Because basic sciences have wide career applications in society, graduates have a wide range of careers to choose from. Dr. Lieu also shared the fact that students majoring in Literature, Language, Han Nom, and Political Science at the University can work as journalists, editors, screenwriters, filmmakers, etc. Students majoring in History can teach subjects on politics, culture, history, and work in museums, research projects, etc. Many students of Social Sciences and Humanities are successful in business or the arts, etc. That is because "students majoring in basic sciences are equipped with basic knowledge, synthetic thinking, and especially methodology, which helps them have a rich understanding of society, a scientific way of thinking in all issues, and the ability to adapt to a variety of jobs" - Dr. Nguyen Quang Lieu emphasized.
In addition, in an effort to expand career opportunities for students, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities has had initiatives such as implementing dual degrees, majors and minors; expanding cooperation with localities and employers. The English output standard... IELTS is applied along with more attention to professional practice and soft skills, which has brought students significant advantages.