Conclusions from the 2008 Conference of Key Officials

From May 23rd to 24th, 2008, the Conference of Key Personnel of the University was held in Sam Son, Thanh Hoa. Attending the conference, in addition to delegates representing the university's units, were guests from Hanoi National University, including the Director and Deputy Director, the Chairman of the Trade Union, and representatives from the office and the Personnel and Organization Department.

Over the three working sessions at the conference, after listening to and discussing the reports:Summary of work for the 2007-2008 academic year and directions and tasks for the 2008-2009 academic year; Financial situation for the 2007-2008 academic year; Summary of one year of implementing credit-based training; Development and implementation of majors/specializations achieving international standards; Staff training and development; Plan for building the school in Hoa Lac.Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh, the school's principal, summarized the conference with the following points:

1.We agree with the assessment of the University's performance in the 2007-2008 academic year: although there are still some shortcomings such as the slow progress and quality of the task of compiling course syllabi according to credit hours, the lack of large-scale interdisciplinary scientific research projects, and the generally low additional income of the university compared to the living needs and professional development of its staff... but with the continuous efforts of all staff and lecturers, in the past academic year, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities has achieved many important accomplishments in various fields and has basically completed the tasks set out.

2.We agree with the school's operational direction for the 2008-2009 school year, considering the 2008-2009 school year as the year of "Reforming personnel organization is a key task, and credit-based training is a central focus." and emphasized the following key priorities for the coming period:

2.1. Continue adjusting the structure of training programs and professions:

- Prepare the necessary conditions to open several new majors/specializations. Initially, focus on undergraduate programs such as Art Studies, Public Relations, Anthropology, English for Specific Purposes, and Chinese for Specific Purposes.

- Establish the Department of Social Work and the Department of Anthropology under the university; complete the project to build the Faculty of Political Science.

2.2. Implement credit-based training for the QH.2007.X and QH.2008.X courses, focusing on conditions suitable to the practical realities of Vietnam and the university; research the possibility of opening distance learning programs for some high-demand fields such as Management Science, Journalism, Tourism, etc.

2.3. Continue to implement and expand the scale of training in disciplines that meet international standards. In addition to one undergraduate program (Linguistics), one master's program (Vietnamese History), and one doctoral program (Ancient and Medieval Vietnamese History) within the framework of the "16+23" project, and two international joint master's programs (Organizational Management, Child and Adolescent Developmental Psychology) already approved by Hanoi National University, the school will open several new majors/specializations: Hotel Management, International Relations, American Studies, Social and Labor Psychology, etc.

2.4. Regarding scientific research, in addition to the three current state-level projects, the school will focus on developing and implementing at least one more project and two state-level research projects, starting with the project...Research, preservation, and promotion of the linguistic and cultural heritage of ethnic minorities in Vietnam in the process of reform and integration.and independent state-level research projectsReforming management and leadership culture in the era of integration in Vietnam..

- Successfully organize several major international scientific conferences, with a focus on the ConferenceKorea and Korean studies from an Asian perspective, actively participating in the WorkshopVietnam Studies, 3rd Conference.

2.5. Complete the project to build a new campus for the School in Hoa Lac; continue to enhance equipment for teaching, learning, and working in the school; strive to increase the minimum coefficient for calculating additional income to 30%.It is currently 25%), which means an increase from 370,000 VND to 400,000 VND per month from various sources of income.

2.6. Creating breakthroughs in the training and development of cadres:

- Staff recruited to the school must be passionate about their field, deeply committed to the school, and not prioritize material gain or income.

- All teaching staff, administrative staff, and management staff must receive training to improve their foreign language skills, primarily English.

- Organize training and capacity building programs for administrative staff.

- Approximately 10 staff members will be sent abroad to improve their foreign language skills, and 10 staff members will participate in scientific exchange programs, using the university's budget.

- Review and plan for staff who do not meet the standards to register for master's and doctoral programs both domestically and internationally.

- By the end of 2009, the school aims to have 82% of its teaching staff holding postgraduate qualifications, including 38-40% with doctoral degrees.

- Further improve the dissemination and understanding of the policies and plans of Hanoi National University and the School to each staff member and student, in order to create ideological unity, consensus, and determination in actions.

- Strengthen the role, responsibility, and initiative of the collective leadership of the unit, department, Scientific and Training Council, and of each individual, especially senior Professors, Associate Professors, and Doctors, in identifying solutions to promote the rapid and sustainable development of the unit and the university.

Heads of units are requested to disseminate the above conclusions of the Conference to all staff in their units and develop plans for implementation.