What incentives are available to social science staff?

On June 4, 2010, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities held a seminar on “The current situation of the staff of Social Sciences and Humanities and policies on employing, rewarding, and honoring staff of Social Sciences and Humanities”. Many leading scientists in the field of Social Sciences and Humanities of the University attended the seminar.

Social Sciences: important but has many... difficulties

The opinions expressed all affirmed the important role of the current social sciences and humanities, but also pointed out many difficulties from both subjective and objective causes, causing the team of social sciences and humanities scientists to suffer many disadvantages. Prof. Dr. Le Chi Que (Faculty of Literature) said: The Literature sector currently has only 06 professors in the whole country. That reflects the reality that the team of high-level intellectuals in the social sciences and humanities sector is small and develops slowly, while other sectors such as natural sciences and technology can have people who are awarded the title of professor when they are only over 30 years old. Explaining this, Prof. Le Chi Que said: it is not because the scientific staff of the social sciences and humanities sector are "lazy" but the cause comes from the specific characteristics of this field of study. In natural sciences, individuals can rely on their intelligence, talent, and special brilliance to create great scientific works when they are young, while in social sciences and humanities, an individual who wants to become a leading cadre must have time to accumulate experience, combined with knowledge trained to a certain maturity to be able to create great research works. Professor Le Chi Que also shared that: with social sciences and humanities, to collect research data requires a lot of effort in the field, while the budget for social sciences and humanities research is often low. Therefore, if one wants to go abroad to research and collect data, it is even more difficult. Professor Dinh Van Duc (Faculty of Linguistics) emphasized the importance of social sciences and humanities as a science associated with the birth of major policies and decisions of the state, associated with political life and the survival of the social regime. Therefore, social sciences and humanities researchers need special attention, support, encouragement, and honor from the State. Objectively, Prof. Dinh Van Duc believes that our scientists are all people who love their jobs, dare to sacrifice themselves for their careers, love their country and are devoted to the cause of the Party and the people. However, due to historical circumstances in the past, they are all self-taught and have few opportunities to study abroad or exchange academic knowledge with international colleagues. Referring to the Party and State's treatment of the intellectuals of social sciences and humanities, Prof. Dr. Dinh Van Duc said: Although there have been macro viewpoints and policies showing respect and appreciation for the role of this group, it seems that these policies have not really entered life. This is reflected in the unreasonable salary and allowance regime, which has not motivated the working spirit of scientists. The policies on treatment and conditions for studying and researching have not really encouraged their enthusiasm for dedication. There are policies that have been implemented for too long and are no longer reasonable but are still maintained, there are new policies that are thought to be better but in reality are not. Contributing a voice of agreement, Prof. Dr. Tran Tri Doi (Faculty of Linguistics) said that Vietnamese Social Sciences and Humanities have been demonstrating their important role and function in protecting and maintaining the current social regime. The State needs to pay more attention to this group of intellectuals, especially professors and leading scientists. Currently, with an income according to the State salary scale, a professor is unlikely to be able to spend his own money to go abroad for academic exchange, while State support is insignificant. Abroad, leading professors have their own offices, two personal assistants and a salary that makes them feel secure in their scientific research and contributions. Meanwhile, professors in Vietnam have low salaries, no private offices, no travel allowances, no scientific research support... These must be resolved by specific policies of the State and the Ministry of Education and Training, not simply the task of universities.

So that it's not just a matter of... "talking for fun"!

Intellectuals, especially in the field of social sciences and humanities, in addition to working to earn money to support themselves, their greater aspiration is to contribute to society, helping to change society in a better direction. Therefore, the most effective way to treat and honor them is to listen to them and create the best conditions for them to research and work. That is the opinion of Associate Professor Bui Thanh Quat (Department of Political Science). This opinion has been approved by many delegates. Going into micro-policies, Professor Le Chi Que said that because the team of highly qualified officials is small and developing slowly, the State needs to extend the service age of leading officials (such as professors, associate professors, and doctors of science) to 70 years old, instead of 65 years old as at present. Because at that age, many scientists are still healthy and have good thinking, moreover, they have accumulated knowledge to the point of erudition and deep understanding of social issues. For young cadres, it is necessary for the State to send them to study abroad more often so that they can be updated with scientific information and new research trends in the world. In addition, research topics and projects in the field of social sciences and humanities need to have certain priorities in terms of funding and other support conditions. Professor Tran Tri Doi believes that leading experts need to be supported with annual funding for going abroad for academic exchanges and implementing research projects. These funds must be reasonable and avoid being regulated by too many complicated financial principles. The only female representative in the discussion - Associate Professor Dr. Le Thi Quy - a famous research expert on gender and family, contributed an opinion defending female intellectuals in the field of social sciences and humanities. She said: Female intellectuals are small in number and are disadvantaged when they have to take on the role of head of the family and give birth, so they do not have the conditions to receive continuous training like men. On the other hand, their retirement age is earlier than that of men while their ability to research and serve society is still there. Should the State, due to such special characteristics, extend the working age of female intellectuals to the same level as men so as not to waste their brainpower as well as their training time and effort? Closing the discussion with many passionate opinions, the delegates sent to the State representative agencies their wishes: the preferential and important policies for social sciences and humanities intellectuals will soon be implemented and truly promote their effectiveness in life; so that the opinions and concerns of the scientists at today's discussion are not just a story "told for fun" and then... left there.