VNU Hanoi: Conference on student affairs in credit-based training.

On May 6, 2008, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) held a conference on student affairs in credit-based training. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Trong Quat, Vice Director of VNU, chaired the conference.

The credit-based training system is one of the major policies of Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) during the 2007-2015 period, aimed at improving quality and international integration. To implement this policy, VNU identified solutions and a roadmap for organizing credit-based training. This was implemented in two phases: Phase I - Applying the positive aspects of the credit-based training method to suit current conditions; Phase II - Fully and thoroughly implementing the credit-based training system at VNU. After one semester (semester I of the 2007-2008 academic year) of applying the positive aspects of the credit-based training method, VNU achieved certain results as well as remaining difficulties and obstacles. One of the tasks directly related to this transition is student affairs.

Based on theoretical and practical foundations, the experiences of universities both domestically and internationally, and the specific conditions of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Associate Professor Le Duc Ngoc (Center for Quality Assurance in Training and Educational Development Research) and Associate Professor Nguyen Van Nha (Head of the Training Department) presented two reports at the conference: “Student Affairs in the Credit-Based System” and “Student Affairs Through the Lens of Training”. Although differing in approach, both authors affirmed that student affairs are extremely important, arduous, and challenging; they are closely related to training, especially during the transition to the credit-based training system; and they require innovation to improve quality and international integration.

With a sense of responsibility and openness, the delegates contributed many ideas to further improve the quality of training as well as the development of student affairs. Many issues were discussed, such as: specific criteria and solutions for student management suitable for credit-based training; the need to identify appropriate solutions to implement at certain stages in the transition roadmap; a coordination mechanism between training units and service units; the selection of methods for organizing and managing learners (by class, by major, or by course); expanding cooperation agreements with businesses to create job opportunities and internship locations for students after graduation; establishing a central point of contact for student counseling (on course selection, learning methods, scientific research, research materials collection, career guidance, etc.).

In his concluding remarks, Vice Director Pham Trong Quat highly appreciated the significance of this workshop as well as the results achieved in the first semester of the 2007-2008 academic year when applying the positive aspects of the credit-based training method. The Vice Director also emphasized the particularly important role of student affairs and the need to innovate this work accordingly: VNU needs to develop and issue regulations on student affairs and related guiding documents; understand and proficiently use training management and student management software; design and issue student ID cards; coordinate with the Youth Union to organize student collective activities; and coordinate with academic advisors to help students choose and register for suitable study schedules...