Adjusting the organization of general subjects in education and developing new training programs.

On the morning of March 11, 2009, Professor Mai Trong Nhuan, Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU), along with representatives from VNU's functional departments, held a working session at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities to discuss the development of new majors and interdisciplinary training programs, and the adjustment of teaching organization for common subjects. Professor Nguyen Van Khanh, Rector of the University, and representatives from various departments, faculties, and subject groups received the delegation.

[img class="caption" src="images/stories/2009/03/12/img_0434x.jpg" border="0" alt="Prof. Dr. Mai Trong Nhuan" title="Prof. Dr. Mai Trong Nhuan" width="280" height="187" align="right" ]

One of the main topics discussed at the meeting was the adjustment of the teaching organization for common subjects such as: Fundamental Principles of Marxism-Leninism, Physical Education, and Foreign Languages. All speakers supported the VNU leadership's policy of unifying the organization and management of teaching these common subjects to best promote proactive management and avoid overlapping responsibilities among units. Furthermore, unifying the organization and teaching of these subjects will create a specialized environment to enhance the professional expertise of lecturers in each discipline. This also aligns with VNU's current policy of building and perfecting a multidisciplinary, multi-field model with a systematic, interconnected, and highly unified management approach.

[img class="caption" src="images/stories/2009/03/12/img_0495x.jpg" border="0" alt="Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh" title="Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh" width="187" height="280" align="left" ]

However, many opinions also expressed concerns that implementing a unified curriculum for common subjects at this time would face considerable difficulties in terms of infrastructure, human resources, and organizational management. These disruptions could potentially have a temporary impact on the progress and quality of training.

In addition, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities presented the development of new training majors and specializations in line with the policy of diversifying training fields to serve the practical needs of society. In 2007 and 2008, the University submitted four proposals to the Vietnam National University, Hanoi on the development of undergraduate training programs: Vietnamese Studies, Anthropology, English for Specific Purposes, and Chinese for Specific Purposes.

Regarding the Vietnamese Studies training program, the University requests that VNU provide the necessary facilities to facilitate the enrollment and training of Bachelor of Vietnamese Studies students from the 2010-2011 academic year; and also allow the enrollment of international students in two main forms: long-term regular programs and international joint programs following the 2+2 model.

Regarding the Anthropology program, in February 2009, Vietnam National University, Hanoi assigned the university to organize the undergraduate program in this field and begin student enrollment from the 2009-2010 academic year. Currently, the conditions for implementing the training are being further refined to align with the credit-based training system.

[img class="caption" src="images/stories/2009/03/12/img_0429x.jpg" border="0" alt="Dr. Lam Quang Dong - Head of the Foreign Language Department" title="Dr. Lam Quang Dong - Head of the Foreign Language Department" width="280" height="187" align="right" ]

In September 2008, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities submitted a proposal to the Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) to open Bachelor's degree programs in English/Chinese specializing in Tourism Studies/Management Science. To align with VNU's orientation towards developing new training programs, the University proposed revising the two programs into a dual degree model: Tourism/Management Science – English/Chinese. VNU will conduct an assessment of these programs and authorize the University to begin student enrollment from the 2010-2011 academic year.

The university also requested that VNU allow it to submit a proposal to open new training programs, including Southeast Asian Studies, Chinese Studies, Korean Studies, Japanese Studies, and to establish a Confucius Research Center under the University of Social Sciences and Humanities with the support of Guangxi University (China).

In addition, several other issues were discussed during the meeting with the Director of VNU, such as: funding for the 16+23 program; upgrading facilities and creating more space to expand classrooms and workspaces at the University's campuses...

At the end of the meeting, Professor Mai Trong Nhuan summarized several key points and affirmed that he would continue to take note of and further study the suggestions from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.