Dialogue between school leaders and students, 2012

On December 18, 2012, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities organized a dialogue program between the university's leadership and students for the 2012-2013 academic year.After nearly four hours, 103 pre-submitted opinions and 15 direct opinions from students in the auditorium were addressed. Many student proposals were also approved by the Rector and directed to relevant departments for research and implementation. Attending the program were the University's Board of Directors, leaders of functional units and departments, heads of faculties and departments, training assistants, student affairs assistants, academic advisors, members of the Standing Committee of the Youth Union and Student Association, along with representatives of students from across the university. The program also included representatives from units of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, such as the Political and Student Affairs Department, the Information and Library Center of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, the Student Support Center, and the Student Support Center. Professor Nguyen Van Khanh – Rector of the University – affirmed that the purpose of the program was to clarify the requirements and difficulties of students, and at the same time, through dialogue, the University hoped that students would gain a full, in-depth, and comprehensive understanding of the current situation and conditions of the University. In the first part of the program, representatives from various departments answered questions submitted by students beforehand. Student affairs and training were the issues that received the most questions. Regarding students' concerns about the difficulties in course registration in the past period, Mr. Dinh Viet Hai – Deputy Head of the Training Department – ​​confirmed that this was a real problem. These difficulties stemmed from the overload of the course registration server system operated by the Center for Information Technology Application, VNU Hanoi. Mr. Dinh Viet Hai also added that the overload only occurred after the first 6 hours of the course registration period. Professor Hai also pointed out many misunderstandings among students regarding the reasons for difficulties in course registration. During the course registration period, the Training Department, in coordination with the Center for Information Technology Application, VNU, was on standby to monitor the situation and provide timely solutions to improve it. The upgrade of the course registration server system is part of VNU's overall plan. Student feedback regarding library usage was addressed by the Deputy Director of the Information and Library Center – VNU. The center's representative also acknowledged some shortcomings in the delayed issuance of student ID cards and stated that measures were being taken to rectify them. The University of Social Sciences and Humanities also offered some suggestions to the Information and Library Center – VNU regarding changing the photo-taking schedule and improving the quality of photos for student ID cards. Furthermore, the University agreed with the students' suggestion that an annual fee for renewing library student ID cards should not be charged. In response to students' questions regarding accommodation needs, dormitory preferences, and the use of health insurance for medical examinations and treatment, Associate Professor Pham Trung Kien – Director of the Student Support Center – provided a straightforward and clear explanation. He affirmed that the Center will upgrade the quality of services and care for students at the Me Tri dormitory health station. By 2015, 40-50% of VNU students will have on-campus accommodation, and the VNU Hospital will also become operational. Regarding feedback on the quality of lighting and sound in some classrooms, the Head of the General Administration Department, Mr. Dang Ngoc Trai, stated that they have reviewed and inspected the equipment and will add or maintain the necessary equipment in those classrooms. However, Mr. Trai also reminded students to take care of and use the equipment properly to avoid unexpected damage. Students' questions about the Youth Union and Student Association were answered by Mr. Trinh Minh Thai, Secretary of the University's Youth Union, at the end of the program. At the conclusion of the program, Professor Nguyen Van Khanh thanked the students for their contributions and the enthusiastic participation of units inside and outside the university. However, many issues raised by the students showed that they had not yet proactively studied the provided documents. The Rector suggested that students need to be more proactive, and that Youth Union and Student Association officials and units within the university need to pay more attention and be more active in disseminating the University's documents and regulations to students.