Conference of Public Officials and Employees for the 2017-2018 Academic Year

The conference listened to Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Kim (Party Secretary, Vice Rector of the University) present a summary of the Report on the Summary of the 2016-2017 academic year and the Plan of tasks for the 2017-2018 academic year.

During the 2016-2017 academic year, the training sector achieved many important results. Regular undergraduate training programs implemented several initiatives to improve training quality: organizing 56 course modules using websites; holding 24 seminars on methods for building and managing learning goals and planning, foreign language learning methods, and skills in searching and exploiting information on the internet... The training process was flexibly adjusted to increase the number of 7-week courses. Examinations were divided into two phases, making the process more convenient. Postgraduate training was always conducted in accordance with regulations and according to plan.

Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Kim presented his report at the conference.

Scientific research activities have achieved many successes. In 2016, the University organized 33 scientific workshops/conferences, including 20 international scientific workshops. Currently, the University is implementing 17 state-level research projects. In 2016-2017, the University's staff published 15 monographs and textbooks, including 2 monographs published in English; and 603 articles, including 42 international publications.

The university continues to develop numerous international cooperation programs with new partners by renewing and signing 25 new cooperation agreements with reputable partners, bringing the total number of current international cooperation agreements to 273. It also welcomed 850 students and scientists to attend seminars, exchange programs, and conduct research at the university.

Significant progress has also been made in areas such as personnel organization, planning and finance, infrastructure, university governance reform, administrative reform, and the development of information and communication technology applications.

In 2017-2018, the University identified the following key tasks: reorganizing and restructuring majors and specializations; adjusting training programs to enhance interconnections and collaborations; continuing to improve the science and technology structure towards modernization; developing resources, especially high-quality science and technology human resources and leading experts; participating extensively in key national and local science programs; focusing on building and gradually perfecting the model of several units developing according to the research university orientation; successfully completing the accreditation of the Bachelor of Literature program according to AUN standards and conducting peer evaluations of Bachelor of Journalism, Political Science, Anthropology, and Tourism and Travel Service Management programs; focusing on implementing in-depth investment projects to strengthen research capacity, infrastructure investment projects, and other projects; and increasing the proportion of supplementary revenue sources. Balance funding sources to ensure that additional income is paid at or above the level of 2016; strengthen political and ideological education among staff and students; effectively implement job placement programs for graduates; and promote student support and services.

Conference scene

In his keynote address at the conference, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hoang Hai, Vice Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, highly appreciated the results achieved by the University in the past academic year: "The past academic year has seen strong progress in the University's activities. It can be said that the reputation and brand of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, owes a great deal to the contributions of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. The University is considered a leading institution in the field of social sciences and humanities in Vietnam."

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hoang Hai delivered a speech at the Conference.

In the face of numerous difficulties and challenges, the University needs to pay attention to its enrollment (last year the University exceeded its target, achieving 105%), but the number of students enrolled in different majors is uneven. Some majors have high enrollment rates while others have low rates. In particular, core majors are facing significant difficulties in enrollment, requiring the University to implement timely solutions and strategies.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Hoang Hai suggested: "In the future, the university could expand the scale of highly attractive departments such as Journalism and Tourism, while reducing enrollment quotas for basic training programs like History. From there, we can calculate and allocate funding appropriately, aiming to ensure the training of a high-quality workforce while maintaining our unique and outstanding values."

Regarding the application of information technology in training activities, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Hoang Hai shared: "Currently, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) is focusing on applying information technology to improve the quality of its activities. For example, the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT): With 20,000 students, they only have 80 full-time staff and 60 part-time staff. The number of students is about half that of VNU, but the number of operational staff is very small. This is possible thanks to the application of information technology. Students and staff only need one card, and that card can handle a large volume of work for the entire university."

"If we can achieve that value, the School's training department, instead of handling administrative tasks, could shift towards advising the School's leadership on training methods and curriculum development...", said Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Hoang Hai.

Currently, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities has very few projects under the Vietnam National University, Hanoi. In the future, the University should develop and propose investment projects for key disciplines, befitting its position within the Vietnam National University, Hanoi in particular and the Vietnamese education and training system in general.

Professor Pham Quang Minh (Rector of the University) delivered a speech at the Conference.

In his concluding remarks at the conference, Professor Pham Quang Minh (Rector of the University) emphasized that in the coming period, the staff and faculty of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities need to focus on the following areas:

- The entire faculty and staff must fully grasp the spirit of VNU: We could not have achieved these accomplishments if we were not a member of VNU. The VNU system creates strong value in terms of collaboration, improving the quality of education, and generating financial value.

- We are steadfast in our commitment to building the University of Social Sciences and Humanities into an advanced research university, ranking among the top 100 universities in Asia. By 2030, we aim to be among the top 500 universities in the world. Our philosophy is based on openness, a spirit of service, and a student-centered approach; our motto is to cherish the past and embrace the future.

- Building a research environment and academic freedom. In the future, the university will continue to organize training and professional development programs to enhance the research capabilities of its staff, especially young staff members.

- Aiming for self-sufficiency, increasing revenue from international students and trainees, attracting investment from international partners, businesses, alumni, and local communities. This will be accompanied by efforts to save electricity and water, and reduce unnecessary operational expenses.

The conference also elected a new people's inspection committee for the next term, summarized the emulation movement for the 2016-2017 school year, and launched the emulation movement for the 2017-2018 school year.