The University of Social Sciences and Humanities successfully completed its tasks for the 2008-2009 academic year.

That was the conclusion reached at the Conference of Key Officials for the 2008-2009 academic year of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, which took place over three days from June 5th to 7th, 2009.

The conference participants included key officials from the Party Committee, Party Branch Committee, Board of Directors, Faculty and Department Boards, Center Directors, Trade Union Executive Committee, Youth Union Executive Committee, and heads and deputy heads of departments. Guests included: Prof. Dr. Phung Huu Phu - Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda Department, Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Giang - Vice Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huu Duc - Vice Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, along with representatives from various functional departments of Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

The delegates discussed and evaluated the achievements and shortcomings that need to be addressed in the school's activities during the past academic year, and deliberated on the direction and work plan for the 2009-2010 academic year. The conference heard the following reports:Summary report of the 2008-2009 school yearof the Board of Directors;Some issues concerning personnel work in the new situation; Key tasks of training work in the 2009-2010 academic year.;Regarding the implementation of science and technology tasks for the 2008-2009 academic year.Financial report for the 2008-2009 school year.

[img class="caption" src="images/stories/2009/06/08/picture%20031.jpg" border="0" alt="Conference scene. Photo: Huy Cuong" title="Conference scene. Photo: Huy Cuong" width="320" height="178" align="left" ]

In the report summarizing the academic year, regarding training activities, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Gia Lam - Vice Rector of the University - emphasized:The tasks of the school's credit-based training transition are being implemented comprehensively in both breadth and depth; the roadmap is generally on schedule and has achieved some positive results."In addition, the enrollment process for all programs was conducted on schedule and in accordance with regulations, without any errors. Besides the regular and non-regular programs, joint training methods, training under government agreements, and short-term training were maintained and expanded. This was also the first year the school implemented enrollment and training in Linguistics according to an internationally recognized program with 19 students, including 3 foreign students. The curriculum, textbooks, and lectures were designed to meet the requirements of the key task of the academic year, which was to focus all resources on the transition to credit-based training. The work of innovating teaching methods and quality assurance in training was carried out seriously and effectively."

During the 2008-2009 academic year, career guidance and employment for students were given significant attention through specific surveys of graduating students, organizing training workshops to meet social needs, organizing numerous extracurricular programs to improve foreign languages, professional skills and soft skills, and closely collaborating with several localities in introducing job opportunities for graduating students...

Regarding postgraduate training, the scale and structure of training have seen new developments. Compared to the 2007-2008 academic year, the scale of master's training increased by 22.4%, and doctoral training increased by 42.1%, raising the scale of postgraduate training to over 25% of the scale of regular training. In addition to 28 doctoral programs and 29 master's programs, the University has developed a master's program in Social Work and is currently developing master's programs in Management Science and doctoral programs in Archival Studies. Units within the university have successfully implemented the credit-based conversion of all master's and doctoral programs.

[img class="caption" src="images/stories/2009/06/08/picture%20070.jpg" border="0" alt="Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Giang speaking at the Conference. Photo: Huy Cuong" title="Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Giang speaking at the Conference. Photo: Huy Cuong" width="320" height="206" align="right" ]

A notable achievement in scientific research this year is the proposal of highly feasible science and technology projects. The 2008-2009 academic year also saw the school have the highest number of state-level research projects: 5 projects.

Regarding international cooperation, the University continues to maintain and expand international cooperation through activities such as: signing cooperation agreements with 6 new partners, opening up more forms of cooperation in degree-granting training, implementing and expanding international projects, etc.

Regarding financial matters, the development of revenue sources, management, and utilization of finances were carried out according to principles, and budget settlements were completed on schedule. The university also made timely adjustments to internal spending regulations and regulations on the use of tuition fees to suit practical realities. Regarding administrative and management matters, the university completed the revision and supplementation of the Regulations on Decentralized Management and Management Procedures within the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Besides the achievements, reports at the conference pointed out shortcomings that need to be addressed in the next academic year. These include: the school has not yet implemented the plan for professional and vocational training for staff; the progress of the training plan for the year, as well as some stages in the credit-based training roadmap, is still slow; there is still a problem of overdue scientific research projects; some research centers are operating inefficiently; postgraduate training plans in some units have not been developed in a specific and highly feasible manner...

The 2009-2010 academic year was considered a pivotal year for the successful implementation of six programs aimed at standardizing activities and the University Development Plan until 2010, with a vision to 2020. Based on this, the general direction of activities for the University of Social Sciences and Humanities is as follows:

• Strengthen the organizational structure from the school level to the units, and promote and improve the quality of planning and training for staff.
• Continue to extensively implement the credit-based training method for all courses and training programs; expand the scale of high-quality training, training that meets international standards and international collaborations, diversify training types, and meet social needs.
• Focus on developing major science and technology projects; improve the quality and practical value of scientific research activities to serve training and the socio-economic development tasks of the country and the capital city.
• Continue administrative reforms; strengthen the computerization of management; find solutions to increase revenue; continue to expand lecture hall areas and increase in-depth investment in infrastructure;
• Implement the "Good Teaching, Good Learning" movement; strengthen communication and promotion of the school's image and brand both domestically and internationally.