Looking back at 10 years of credit-based training at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Professor Pham Quang Minh, Rector of the University, delivered the opening speech at the training conference.

Following the opening remarks by Professor Pham Quang Minh, the delegates listened to a report on the results of 10 years of credit-based training at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

Achievements after 10 years

After 10 years of implementation, it can be affirmed that the entire staff and faculty of the University have been united in their efforts to apply, implement, and innovate in order to achieve the highest effectiveness in applying the credit-based training method at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

Since 2006, the university's curriculum system has undergone six adjustments to adapt to the credit-based training method. While 2006, the starting point of the credit-based transition, saw the curriculum system mechanically shift from a semester-based system to a credit-based system, the following three years saw adjustments to better suit this new training method. Particularly in 2012, a fundamental shift occurred when all curricula were developed and adjusted according to learning outcomes. In 2015, the curriculum system was further adjusted to better align with the new regulations.

Looking back at the 10-year process of adjustment and improvement, experts have concluded that, overall, the quality of training programs has improved, the arrangement of modules within each program has become more selective, and the rate of articulation and collaboration between departments within the university and between universities within the Vietnam National University, Hanoi has increased, basically aligning with the credit-based training method.

The compilation of course syllabi has been comprehensive across all training programs. Nearly 2,500 course syllabi have been compiled and revised. The compilation of textbooks, lectures, and reference materials has seen significant development. Over the past 10 years, the university has approved 341 textbooks and lectures, 77 translated reference materials, and continues to sign contracts for the compilation of 357 textbooks and lectures, and 94 reference materials at the undergraduate level.

Training and training management have maximized the flexibility and adaptability of credit-based training in planning. The training process has seen active participation from both lecturers and students. Student learning outcomes have shown encouraging progress. The interconnectedness and collaboration in training management and organization between units within the university and within the national university system have become increasingly effective. This has helped the university simplify administrative procedures and training management processes.

Teaching, testing, and evaluation methods have undergone quite comprehensive reforms, focusing on promoting students' active participation, initiative, creativity, and application of knowledge and skills. Facilities and equipment have increased significantly. Lecture halls, laboratories, and offices have been expanded; and the system of equipment for teaching and scientific research has also been supplemented and upgraded.

The external evaluation teams from AUN and VNU Hanoi both assessed the university's training programs as having a reasonable structure, a balanced content, and a focus on achieving the published learning outcomes.

Mr. Dao Minh Quan, Deputy Head of the Training Department, is presenting a summary report on 10 years of credit-based training at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Challenges ahead

Besides the achievements, the credit-based training method over the past 10 years has also posed many challenges for the University in the coming time. Specifically, the university admission method lacks stability, causing many difficulties in the admissions process; the curriculum still lacks pioneering, specialized, and interdisciplinary fields; some curricula, especially in basic sciences, have slow to change their professional content, and the learning outcomes are not truly clear; the quality of trained human resources still does not meet the needs of the labor market, especially the market requiring high-quality labor; the information technology infrastructure serving training, research, and management is still not synchronized and has overlapping data; the inspection and evaluation work remains a matter of concern; the lecturer-to-student ratio is still high, and the number of lecturers capable of teaching international programs is low; and the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution have a significant impact on higher education in the coming time.

Speaking on this issue, Professor Pham Quang Minh, the Rector of the University, noted: "The credit-based training method has become widespread in most universities. The goal of this method emphasizes the proactive role of learners and the guidance of instructors, but when applied in practice at the university, this aspect seems to be somewhat 'half-hearted' and has not been fully utilized. Evidence of this includes the lack of freedom in course registration during the training process, students' lack of proactive learning, insufficient learning resources, and the university's lack of timely rewards and incentives for students graduating early… This requires us to continue making timely adjustments to improve the quality of education and international integration."

Overview of the conference

Faced with this challenge, in terms of student training and management, the University will reorganize and restructure its majors and specializations; adjust training programs to enhance articulation and linkage, creating a favorable mechanism for students to articulate between different levels of education, majors, and training programs.

The school will aim to innovate and improve its training management system; strengthen the responsibility of administrators and specialists; and build an open educational resource system to anticipate the trend of building a University 4.0 based on the philosophy of liberal education and creative freedom.

Innovate investment policies for lecturers who compile textbooks and publish reference materials based on a tiered and categorized system of textbooks and learning materials. Strengthen efforts to monitor the employment situation of students after graduation and establish alumni networks by faculty and year.