On January 25, 2013, the Scientific and Training Council of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities held its seventh session, chaired by Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh (Rector, Chairman of the Council).At the meeting, the Council members listened to and contributed opinions on the achievements in various fields of activity of the University in 2012 and the plans and tasks for 2013. According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh (Vice Rector), in 2012 - the first year of implementing the Program for Building High-Quality Scientific Products to Serve Training and the Development Requirements of the Country (2011-2015 period) - the research activities had many outstanding features: The University continued to affirm its strengths in basic scientific research, actively participated in key national science programs, and exploited many projects from the National Science and Technology Fund. The University's Policy Advisory Council made many valuable recommendations to the Party and State leadership agencies. Statistical and scientific information work has been strengthened… Based on the above results, in 2013, some key tasks in the field of science and technology were: Consolidating and strengthening the activities of the Policy Advisory Council; Implementing many major projects and research topics: “Building and implementing the program for the development of Vietnamese social sciences and humanities until 2020”, “Survey and assessment of the current state of ethics and lifestyle of Vietnamese people”; “Survey and assessment of the current state of Vietnamese social sciences and humanities”… Regarding the field of training, according to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim (Vice Rector), undergraduate and postgraduate training basically completed the set tasks: completing the adjustment of 23 undergraduate training programs and 52 postgraduate training programs; developing new training programs to meet the needs of learners; investing effectively in learning materials; actively innovating teaching, testing, and evaluation methods; Initial implementation of university governance contents… In the next academic year, the University will continue to finalize the undergraduate training programs in Southeast Asian Studies and Public Policy, and the high-quality Psychology program; and complete the plan to separate training programs in some faculties. Interdisciplinary and joint training programs: major-minor programs, double degrees will continue to be developed, initially establishing three more double degree programs: International Studies; Journalism and Communication; and Management Science. Activities to innovate assessment methods and administrative reforms in training management according to ISO standards will be intensified…
In addition, the Council heard presentations on the following proposals: establishing an Institute for Policy Research and Analysis within the University; establishing a Department of Event Management within the Faculty of Tourism Studies; establishing a Department of Thai Studies within the Faculty of Oriental Studies; and opening an undergraduate program in Public Policy. The speakers expressed agreement with the achievements and main directions of the University in 2013; they believed that establishing several new units was necessary to strengthen, integrate, and further support the University's research and training activities. However, Council members also emphasized the need for a commensurate investment plan in human resources for the new units, especially the Institute for Policy Research, so that these units can truly become strong research units and reputable scientific hubs in the field.
