Meeting of the Trade Union Cluster of 5 Universities on the occasion of the Lunar New Year of the Monkey (Bính Thân)

Attending the meeting were representatives from the Board of Directors and the Standing Committee of the Trade Union of Hanoi University of Science and Technology, National Economics University, Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, and Hanoi University of Natural Sciences.

The purpose of the meeting was to summarize the achievements of the cluster's activities over the past period and to discuss plans for future activities.

In his opening remarks, Associate Professor Dr. Dang Xuan Khang, Chairman of the Trade Union of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, reviewed some key achievements made from April 2015 to the present.

A highlight of the cluster's activities was supporting education in Lao Cai province (Bac Ha and Sapa districts). The University of Technology also participated in activities assigned by the Sectoral Trade Union in Muong Khuong district. The University of Social Sciences and Humanities also collaborated with the Vietnam National University, Hanoi Trade Union to support students and teachers in Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces. This activity received significant public attention and was highly appreciated by the Sectoral Trade Union.

Associate Professor Dr. Dang Xuan Khanh, Chairman of the Trade Union of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, reviewed some of the achievements made in the past period.

The trade union also participated in several inter-university activities such as the announcement ceremony of the new Rectors of the Polytechnic University, the National Economics University, and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities; summarizing women's affairs; visiting leaders who unfortunately passed away; organizing visits to the families of deceased school leaders or trade union leaders;…

Associate Professor Dr. Dang Xuan Khang, Chairman of the Trade Union of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, also proposed a plan of activities for the cluster of trade unions of the 5 universities from now until April 2016.

Accordingly, the cluster of five universities' trade unions will hold its annual meeting of the Standing Committee of the Trade Union around the beginning of April (expected April 8-10, 2016). The planned agenda includes coordination between the Trade Union Executive Committee and the Board of Directors in the context of educational management reform (focusing on the Regulations on Coordination between the Trade Union Executive Committee and the Board of Directors) or the role of the Trade Union in reforming the university's operations (the role of the Trade Union in implementing the university's political tasks: developing the workforce, building a research university, improving the spiritual and material well-being of staff, reforming the university's operations, etc.).

Speaking at the meeting, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Huu Nhan, Chairman of the Trade Union of the University of Natural Sciences, expressed his support for the upcoming plans. Regarding the timeframe, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Huu Nhan proposed providing feedback later, as he needed to review the university's work plan for the coming period.

2016 marks the anniversary of the founding of the University of Natural Sciences, the University of Technology, and the University of Civil Engineering, and many activities will be organized leading up to the celebration. Therefore, the universities need to balance their plans accordingly to participate in and organize activities of the cluster of five universities' trade unions, shared Dr. Nguyen Quang Lieu (University of Social Sciences and Humanities).

Comrade Bui Duc Hung, Chairman of the Trade Union of the Polytechnic University, is expressing his views.

Expressing his views on sharing the burden of operating costs with the host university that year, Comrade Bui Duc Hung, Chairman of the Trade Union of the Polytechnic University, said: With a long tradition of activities and cooperation, the trade unions of the five universities have become as close as a family; therefore, the sharing of costs among the universities is entirely appropriate and can be implemented immediately.

Offering suggestions for the future activities of the cluster of five universities' trade unions, Associate Professor Dr. Ho Ngoc Khoa, Chairman of the Trade Union of the University of Civil Engineering, stated: In the coming period, trade union activities need to go deeper. Trade union activities should be closely linked to the activities of the university, contributing practical value to the activities of each university individually and the cluster of five universities as a whole.

Sharing the same viewpoint, Associate Professor Pham Quang Minh, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, also emphasized the importance of connecting trade union activities with university activities so that the Standing Committee of the Trade Union of the five universities can collectively consider and find solutions to innovate and deepen their activities.

Associate Professor Pham Quang Minh, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, delivered a speech at the meeting.

At the meeting, Associate Professor Pham Quang Minh also shared with representatives of the Board of Directors and the Standing Committee of the Trade Union of the member universities about some outstanding achievements of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in 2015. Associate Professor Pham Quang Minh hoped that this information sharing would receive comments and feedback from the universities in the cluster.

Associate Professor Pham Quang Minh also suggested that universities should announce and share their scientific research activities, especially interdisciplinary research activities.

From focusing on professional research and expanding on the understanding of motivating and encouraging staff activities in the management process, Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Minh Son, Rector of the University of Technology, shared: "Trade union activities in the past have been very important, because in all aspects of leadership, promoting the spirit of solidarity and teamwork is crucial."

Associate Professor Pham Xuan Anh, Vice Rector of the University of Civil Engineering, offered suggestions for the cluster's trade union activities.

With a tradition of 28 years of partnership and collaboration, Associate Professor Pham Xuan Anh (Vice Rector of Hanoi University of Civil Engineering) hopes that in the future, the activities of the cluster of 5 universities' trade unions will continue to develop strongly and effectively. The Board of Directors of Hanoi University of Civil Engineering always integrates with and supports the activities of the cluster of 5 universities' trade unions.

At the end of the meeting, on behalf of the faculty and students of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh, the Rector of the University, extended New Year greetings of peace, prosperity, and good health to the Board of Directors, the Standing Committee of the Trade Union, and all faculty and students of the University of Technology, the University of Civil Engineering, the National Economics University, and the University of Natural Sciences.

Associate Professor Pham Quang Minh presents gifts to the representative of the Trade Union of the University of Civil Engineering.

Associate Professor Pham Quang Minh presents gifts to representatives of the trade union of the University of Technology.

Associate Professor Pham Quang Minh presents gifts to the representative of the Trade Union of the University of Natural Sciences.