Opening ceremony for the "Training course on leadership and management skills for department heads in universities"

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Kim emphasized the significance of the course in human resource development and school management.

Speaking at the Opening Ceremony, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Kim, Vice Rector of the University, emphasized:“The role of functional departments within the school is very important. They are both the units directly implementing tasks and the units advising and consulting the school leadership on developing strategies, plans, and key activity programs. Organizing professional skills training courses for departmental-level management staff to achieve the goal of professionalizing management activities is a necessary and very meaningful undertaking.””

Representing the leadership of Vietnam National University, Hanoi at the opening ceremony of the training course was Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Quan, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee, Head of the Party Committee's Organization Department, and Vice Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Quan welcomed the University of Social Sciences and Humanities for pioneering the organization of this training course and teaching the first specialized topic:Leadership and management skills at the departmental level in universities.The presentation focused on the functions and roles of department-level managers as represented by the model: Planning – Organizing – Leading – Controlling; the content and relationships between Input – Influencing Factors – Output of the core plan; and the competency framework for leadership and management staff of VNU (Vietnam National University).Source: Project for the development of a highly qualified team of scientists and managers at Vietnam National University, Hanoi, giai đoạn 2015 – 2020The lecture combined rich theoretical and practical knowledge, raising many issues for students to continue exchanging and discussing based on their work experience.

Associate Professor Dr. Le Quan, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee, Head of the Party Committee's Organization Department, and Vice Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, welcomed the University of Social Sciences and Humanities for pioneering the organization of this training course and teaching the first specialized topic: "Leadership and Management Skills at the Department Level in Universities".

Many heartfelt and frank opinions and discussions were offered by the school's staff during the training session. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Ngoc Lieu, Head of the School's Training Department, shared:Through my experience of 9 years as the Head of Department and 6 years in management at the departmental level, I have realized that identifying the core tasks in the planning process is crucial. Identifying core tasks based on an accurate assessment of the current situation and context, and enhancing the ability to adapt, is essential. During implementation, attention must be paid to coordination between management levels, and timely adjustments are necessary to achieve unity and effectiveness. Professionalism must go hand in hand with consistency.Associate Professor Tran Ngoc Lieu also proposed several measures for coordination between functional departments and specialized faculties, establishing a program-based and project-based management system alongside traditional management methods.

Dr. Nguyen Quang Lieu stated:The school's departmental management team comes from two sources: departmental specialists and lecturers. A lecturer transitioning to a management role faces many difficulties. The important thing is to define the functions and responsibilities, and to harmonize professional expertise with management tasks.Dr. Nguyen Quang Lieu also frankly shared his personal views on the concepts and elements of the management model for Associate Professor Dr. Le Quan and colleagues to expand on the exchange and discussion.

The participants in the training course engaged in open discussions, sharing many valuable and insightful practical ideas. The lively and highly interactive discussions reflected the participants' genuine interest and need to enhance their management and leadership capabilities. Subsequent sessions will be taught by Associate Professor Dang Quoc Bao – former Director of the Academy of Educational Management, and Associate Professor Vu Thi Phung – former Head of the Department of Archival and Office Management. In addition, the course will include a field trip to Can Tho University.

Professional skills training activities will continue to be implemented for all staff and employees of the university. The University of Social Sciences and Humanities is striving to implement a strategy of developing human resources that meet standards in terms of titles and academic degrees, are proficient in their profession, and are professional in management.