Workshop "Current Situation and Solutions to Improve the Effectiveness of Organization and Operation of Department-Level Units"

Attending the workshop were representatives from Vietnam National University, Hanoi, including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hieu (Head of the Personnel and Organization Department), Dr. Nguyen Kieu Oanh (Deputy Head of the Personnel and Organization Department), Dr. Pham Duc Anh (Deputy Head of the Science and Technology Department), and Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Huong (Deputy Head of the Planning and Finance Department). The workshop was chaired by Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Vietnam National University, Hanoi in general, and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in particular, are implementing a plan to improve the efficiency of the organization and operation of departmental units and develop departmental management teams to meet the requirements of innovation and international integration.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Hieu (Head of the Personnel and Organization Department, Vietnam National University, Hanoi) spoke about the need to improve the effectiveness of the organization and operation of departmental-level units for Vietnam National University, Hanoi in general and its member universities in particular.

In addition to the regulations issued by the State and Vietnam National University, Hanoi, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities has proactively issued and applied the following documents:The regulations for departments within the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Hanoi, are issued according to Decision No. 2248/QD-XHNV-TC dated September 23, 2015, by the Rector.;Regulations on Organization and Operation of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities issued under Decision No. 510/QD-XHNV-TC dated March 5, 2015, by the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities..These documents have stipulated the functions and responsibilities of the Department and the standards for the Head of Department. In addition, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities has issued and implemented many policies on personnel, finance, and facilities to promote the training and scientific research activities of its staff and lecturers. These policies are integrated into the University's Internal Expenditure Regulations. The Internal Expenditure Regulations are reviewed and adjusted annually as appropriate.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, delivered the opening remarks at the conference.

Currently, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities has 16 faculties, 1 affiliated department, and 79 departmental-level units. These departments are responsible for training students in 24 undergraduate programs, 40 master's degree programs, and 31 doctoral degree programs. The university's development orientation is to become a leading research university in Vietnam and a prestigious university in the region in the field of social sciences and humanities. Therefore, the development of these departments is fundamental to the quality, reputation, and standing of the university.

Dr. Ta Bich Loan, Head of VTV3, Vietnam Television, and concurrently Head of the Broadcasting and Television Department of the Faculty of Journalism and Communication, shared that this conference is very important and practical, not only for the development of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities but also contributing to finding solutions to the problems and challenges of higher education today.

The workshop served as a forum for leading experts, including heads of departments, full-time faculty members from the university, and invited experts from external organizations, fostering a connection between university training and practical professional work. Dr. Ta Bich Loan, Head of VTV3, Vietnam Television, and concurrently Head of the Broadcasting and Television Department of the Faculty of Journalism and Communication, has made significant efforts in collaborating with the university and the faculty in training television students.

Associate Professor Tran Van Hai, Head of the Department of Intellectual Property Protection, Faculty of Management Science, suggested: "The department should pursue a specialized research direction, have a strong research group or a potential research group, and must have international publications."

The issues facing the organization and operation of departmental-level training have been thoroughly examined. These are also the problems that need solutions in the reform of higher education in our country, such as: improving the quality of scientific research, international publications, developing the capacity of the scientific staff, attracting and retaining talent, mechanisms and policies for developing departmental-level training units, breaking down the administrative mindset towards scientific departments and focusing on professional development...

Associate Professor Dr. Lam My Dung, Head of the Archaeology Department, Faculty of History, and Director of the Museum of Anthropology, stated: “The Archaeology Department, as well as several other departments in the University such as Journalism and Communication, Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, etc., have very high practical applications. With significant investment in facilities and equipment, they are fully capable of building laboratories and carrying out scientific projects like the Natural Sciences... Therefore, there is a need for classification and the establishment of specific investment mechanisms.”

Currently, the University of Social Sciences has a fairly diverse classification of departments, such as departments responsible for training in a specific scientific field, interdisciplinary departments, theoretical research departments, and departments with high applied scientific functions. Improving the effectiveness of the organization and operation of these departments, each with its own unique style, contributes to bringing training and research within the university closer to practice, better meeting the needs of social development and the trend of international integration.

The workshop acknowledged the insightful and valuable contributions of departmental leaders and included exchanges and feedback from representatives of Hanoi National University and the School's Board of Directors. This was a practical activity contributing to proposing solutions to effectively implement the School's key development tasks in the coming period. Professor Pham Quang Minh, the Rector of the School, summarized and unified the opinions, focusing on the view that departments should be strong professional units, not administrative units, and therefore need to address key issues regarding the quality of training and scientific research. The Faculties and Departments within the School need to review and synthesize the opinions of their faculty members and propose practical solutions to the School and Hanoi National University. The school also recommended to VNU that regulations, organizational mechanisms, and operational procedures for departmental-level units should be scientific, practical, and flexible, so that these units can operate most effectively.