Congress of Delegates of the Trade Union of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities: Innovation – Democracy – Unity – Responsibility

Presidium of the 30th Congress of the Trade Union of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, term 2017-2022

Attending the Congress, on behalf of the Vietnam Education Trade Union, was Mr. Tran Manh Thang – Head of the Organizing Committee. The Congress was also attended by trade union leaders from the Cluster of 5 member universities: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Van Quy – Vice President of the Trade Union of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and Vice President of the Trade Union of the University of Natural Sciences; Dr. Bui Tuyet Loan – Vice President of the Trade Union of the University of Engineering; Dr. Nguyen Huu Dong – President of the Trade Union of the University of Economics; and Mr. Tran Quy Duong – Vice President of the Trade Union of the University of Construction.

Representing Vietnam National University, Hanoi were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dinh Van Huong - Standing Committee Member of the Party Committee, Chairman of the Trade Union of Vietnam National University, Hanoi; Ms. Nguyen Thi Thao, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Trade Union of Vietnam National University, Hanoi; Dr. Nguyen Quang Lieu - Vice Chairman of the Trade Union of Vietnam National University, Hanoi; and leaders of the trade unions of affiliated units of Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

On the university's side, attending the Congress were Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh - Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Rector of the University; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim - Secretary of the Party Committee, Vice Rector of the University; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Minh Hoa - Vice Rector of the University; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh - former Rector of the University; Prof. People's Teacher Vu Duong Ninh - Chairman of the Association of Retired Teachers; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Van Hai - Chairman of the Association of War Veterans; Dr. Tran Bach Hieu - Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union; along with members of the Party Committee, leaders of various units, and 150 delegates representing 21 departmental trade unions of the University. The Congress was also covered by news agencies: VTV1 News Department - Vietnam Television, Education and Times Newspaper, and Labor Newspaper.

The Executive Committee of the Trade Union of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, term XXX (2017-2022), was introduced, consisting of 15 members.

In its first session, the Congress elected the Presidium, the Secretariat, the Credentials Committee, and approved the Congress's agenda and working regulations. Important reports were presented and unanimously approved by the Congress: the summary report of feedback from departmental trade unions, the report of the Trade Union Inspection Committee, the financial report, and the report of the Credentials Committee. The election process followed the correct procedures and principles. As a result, the Congress elected the Executive Committee of the University's Trade Union for the 30th term, 2017-2022, with 15 members. The first meeting of the new Executive Committee elected the Standing Committee, the President, Vice Presidents, and the Trade Union Inspection Committee. Dr. Ngo Thi Kieu Oanh – Head of the Personnel Department, was elected President of the University's Trade Union, and the two Vice Presidents are Dr. Tran Thi Dieu (President of the Philosophy Faculty Trade Union) and Ms. Nguyen Van Thuy (Head of the Legal Inspection Department).

In the second session, Associate Professor Dr. Dang Xuan Khang, former Chairman of the University's Trade Union for the 2012-2017 term, on behalf of the Presidium, delivered the opening speech of the Congress:“The Congress is taking place in the context of the fundamental and comprehensive reform of education becoming a great undertaking of the Party, the State, and the entire society. The University of Social Sciences and Humanities in particular and Vietnam National University, Hanoi in general are accelerating the process of becoming an advanced research university in the region and the world. Therefore, with the spirit of “Innovation, democracy, solidarity, responsibility”, the 30th Congress for the term 2017-2022 has the task of focusing intellect, evaluating the results of implementing the Resolution of the University's General Assembly for the term 2012-2017; setting forth directions, tasks and solutions to improve the quality of trade union work in the new term, contributing to the successful implementation of the University's overall tasks. We believe that the 150 official delegates of the Congress will maximize their intellect and sense of responsibility to make the Congress a success, creating new developments in the University's trade union movement, contributing to building a cultured capital city.” "Contribution, civilization, and integration."

Dr. Nguyen Quang Lieu – Vice Chairman of the Trade Union of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, former Vice Chairman of the University's Trade Union for the 2012-2017 term, presented the Report of the Executive Committee of the University's Trade Union for the 2012-2017 term and the direction and tasks for the 2017-2022 term. The report clearly outlines the characteristics of the University's Trade Union activities during the past term and the results of implementing the Resolution of the 29th Congress of the University's Trade Union, 2012-2017 term. In the General Assessment section, the report highlights the achievements that the University's Trade Union has attained in all aspects. These successes are due first and foremost to the close attention and guidance of the Party committees at all levels, the strong support of the professional organizations at the same level, the favorable conditions created by the heads of units and functional departments, and political and social organizations within the University; and especially thanks to the efforts of all trade union members throughout the University. The Executive Committee of the Trade Union for the 2012-2017 term, especially the members of the Standing Committee, are enthusiastic, highly responsible, and dynamic officials. However, the report also points out existing shortcomings that need to be addressed in the next term. These include: the activities of the Executive Committee of the Trade Union need to be proactive, dynamic, creative, and consistent across all positions and tasks; the departmental trade unions need to affirm and further develop their role in the overall activities of the unit and the University; the trade union's activities have not been truly proactive in coordinating with the professional departments in participating in the management of training and scientific research; the evaluation of emulation and reward, and the consideration of extraordinary allowances in some departmental trade unions are still slow, limiting the motivation of union members.

The general objectives in the direction and tasks of the Trade Union of the School for the 30th term (2017-2022):"Innovate the content and methods of operation of departmental trade unions, representing and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of teachers and workers; organize widespread patriotic emulation movements and industry campaigns; propagate and participate in the reform of management; train and cultivate trade union officials, build a stronger University Trade Union, contributing to the fundamental and comprehensive reform of education, and helping the University of Social Sciences and Humanities to soon become a research university."

Many union members' opinions were frankly exchanged during the discussion.

The Congress featured three presentations from the trade unions of the Faculty of Management Science, the Faculty of Psychology, and the Faculty of Journalism and Communication. These presentations represented the voices of the departmental trade unions, offering suggestions to improve the quality and effectiveness of trade union work. The Congress became a democratic forum, providing an opportunity for 21 departmental trade unions, each with its own unique characteristics, advantages, and challenges, to share, contribute, propose, and recommend solutions to the University and the higher-level trade union. During the discussion, the Congress also recorded many opinions from union members. These opinions ranged from specific cases and personal difficulties to the collective aspirations of the workforce, presented frankly on issues such as emulation and reward, discipline; work assignment and performance evaluation; Regarding issues concerning young union members, female union members, etc., the Congress acknowledged the contributions presented, some of which were immediately accepted, while others will be further discussed in greater depth, in order to continue proposing recommendations to the Party Committee, the School's Board of Directors, and the higher-level Trade Union.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dinh Van Huong, Chairman of the Trade Union of Vietnam National University, Hanoi

Associate Professor Dr. Dinh Van Huong, Chairman of the Trade Union of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, delivered a congratulatory speech and gave guidance at the Congress:The Vietnam National University, Hanoi Trade Union always recognizes the Trade Union of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities as one of the strongest units, playing a pivotal and leading role. With a tradition spanning over 70 years, it possesses extensive experience, capabilities, and innovative initiatives. During the past term, the University's Trade Union achieved excellent results, contributing to the overall development of the University, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and the Sectoral Trade Union. We congratulate the Congress on electing a new Executive Committee, and wish the members continued success in building upon the achievements of the University's Trade Union. We are confident that the University's Trade Union will develop to a new level. Regarding future directions and tasks, we agree with the plans and targets set forth by the Congress. However, we need to emphasize a few points for the Congress to discuss and consider. Firstly, political and ideological education must always be prioritized, as our University is a leading institution, a frontline in political and ideological work, especially in the complex context of media and public opinion. Secondly, we must build and strengthen unity, democracy, and discipline. These three inseparable elements contribute to creating consensus and close cohesion between union members and Party committees, government agencies, and mass organizations. Thirdly, we need to build a strong trade union organization system, emphasizing the capacity and strength of grassroots trade unions. Fourthly, in addition to activities with a trade union character, we must closely adhere to the general directions and tasks of the University, VNU, and the industry. Fifth, pay attention to activities that improve the quality of cultural and spiritual life, promoting humanistic values ​​and compassion, ensuring they are truly practical and meaningful.”

Representing the Trade Union of Cluster 5 universities (University of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Natural Sciences, University of Construction, University of Technology, National Economics University), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Van Quy – Vice Chairman of the Trade Union of the University of Natural Sciences, delivered a congratulatory speech at the Congress:The Trade Union of Cluster 5 Universities acknowledges and thanks the contributions of the comrades in the Executive Committee in general and the Standing Committee of the Trade Union of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in particular during the past term. We believe that with the participation of the comrades in the new Executive Committee of the Trade Union, full of youth, enthusiasm and creative capacity, the trade union movement of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in particular and the Trade Union of Cluster 5 Universities in general will make further progress..

Professor Pham Quang Minh, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Rector of the University.

On behalf of the University's leadership, Professor Pham Quang Minh, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Rector of the University, expressed his emotion upon reflecting on the journey of the University's Trade Union activities, with its immense tasks and numerous challenges. Professor Pham Quang Minh emphasized:In the new term, there will be even more difficulties and challenges arising from the increasingly complex socio-economic context, directly impacting education and training, labor, and employment… Therefore, first and foremost, the new Executive Committee of the Trade Union needs to be truly unified, cohesive, and focus its intellect and dedication on the common cause. Trade union activities are primarily voluntary; we participate in a large organization to protect the rights of workers, which also includes the rights of each individual involved in leadership. One of the first difficulties for the new Executive Committee is connecting the union members. How can we ensure that each union member understands that our role and responsibility is not that of an ordinary lecturer or employee, but that of an owner of this school? Secondly, we need a comprehensive, long-term plan with key priorities for each year. Recognizing the pressing issues and practical concerns of union members is crucial for safeguarding workers' rights. Furthermore, it is necessary to regularly exchange ideas and learn from the experiences of other trade union organizations within the VNU system and the Cluster 5 University trade union to apply effective operational models to the University's trade union."In his speech, the Principal took the time to directly answer the questions raised during the discussion at the General Assembly, and these answers were unanimously agreed upon by the entire assembly."

The Congress expressed its gratitude to Professor, Doctor, and People's Teacher Nguyen Van Khanh, former Rector of the University, and bid farewell to the members of the Trade Union Executive Committee for the 2012-2017 term who will not be continuing in the Trade Union Executive Committee for the 2017-2022 term.

The Presidium summarized the Congress and the Congress Resolution was adopted with 100% unanimous agreement from all delegates in attendance. The Congress of Delegates of the Trade Union of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU Hanoi, was a great success.