How can we improve the quality of university education?

The Conference on Implementing Innovation in Higher Education Management for the Rectorate of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities took place on April 16, 2010, with the participation of leaders and staff from the Rectorate. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Kim Son chaired the conference.To begin, the conference heard Mr. Tran Ngoc Lieu – Head of the Training Department – ​​present important government documents on the reform of higher education management for the period 2010-2012, including: Resolution No. 05-NQ/BCSĐ dated January 6, 2010, of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Education and Training on the reform of higher education management for the period 2010-2012; Decision No. 179/QD-BGDĐT dated January 11, 2010, approving the Action Program to implement Resolution No. 05-NQ/BCSĐ dated January 6, 2010, of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Education and Training on the reform of higher education management for the period 2010-2012; Prime Minister's Directive No. 296/CT-TTg dated February 27, 2010, on reforming higher education management for the period 2010-2012; and Official Letter No. 1242/BGDĐT-VP dated March 12, 2010, guiding the organization of discussions and dissemination of the Prime Minister's Directive and Resolution 05 of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Education and Training on reforming higher education management for the period 2010-2012. Following this, the speeches focused on the following topics: Why is it necessary to improve the quality of training? What can be done to improve the quality of university training in the current period? What are the solutions for reforming higher education management?Associate Professor Pham Van Quyet, Head of the Postgraduate Training Department, assessed the campaign to reform higher education management launched by the Ministry of Education and Training as very practical in the current period. For the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, a leading university, the goal of reforming education management is to achieve regional and international standards. Regarding training, the immediate requirement is for the University to adjust its undergraduate and postgraduate training programs to ensure continuity, specialization, and up-to-date knowledge. In the regular undergraduate training system, the training process is implemented quite rigorously and effectively, but in postgraduate training, this process needs further research to be implemented more systematically. In his proposal to the Ministry of Education and Training, Associate Professor Pham Van Quyet suggested that the Ministry should pay more attention to policies ensuring the livelihoods of education sector officials and employees, and invest in infrastructure at universities, recognizing these as important factors affecting the improvement of training quality. Also addressing postgraduate training management, Mr. Dao Minh Quan (Postgraduate Training Department) emphasized the important role of postgraduate training assistants in faculties and departments; therefore, he requested that the University establish specific regulations to more clearly define the roles, functions, and responsibilities of this team. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hang (Trade Union Office) spoke about the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the work of various departments, stating that these tasks have not been carried out seriously as the plans set out do not truly reflect reality. The reward and recognition process needs to be more rigorous to avoid a "one-size-fits-all" mentality. Ngo Van Hoan - Head of the Inspection Board - commented that, regarding the system of management documents, the University has developed quite comprehensively, from action programs, orientations, and major development strategies to specific regulations on areas of scientific management, finance, and personnel organization… The question is how to implement these documents? On the other hand, human resource management plays a particularly important role in a university. Therefore, the University needs to pay attention to considering the training of its staff, finding ways to maximize the capabilities of each staff member in their work. Leaders need to recognize and promote their pioneering role in overall activities. Also discussing personnel work, Mr. Pham Huy Cuong (Department of Politics and Student Affairs) pointed out a "contradiction" between the fact that the University has a low personnel quota, but in reality, all units are experiencing a shortage of staff? In management departments, are professional qualities or job-related skills more emphasized? Other contributions proposed innovative management solutions related to finance, international cooperation, etc. At the end of the conference, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Kim Son reaffirmed the university's special attention to reforming the management of higher education and training and improving training quality. These two major issues will continue to be discussed and feedback will be gathered at the upcoming key personnel conference. In the near future, the university also plans to implement training management according to ISO standards after seeking guidance and support from the Vietnam National University, Hanoi and the Ministry of Education and Training.