Launch of the Institute of Policy and Management

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Van Kim (middle) presents the decision of the School to appoint the position of Institute Director to Professor, Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh (right). (Photo:Jackie Chan/USSH)

The Institute of Policy and Management (IPAM) of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities was established on the basis of the Center for Policy Research and Analysis (CEPTA) under the University. During 7 years of operation, the Center has achieved important achievements in research, training, and development of international projects to build and develop the policy science sector in Vietnam. The Center organized many training courses on analysis and policy planning skills for officials in many provinces and cities across the country; signed cooperation agreements with many domestic and foreign partners; published many books and documents on policy science; initially formed a network in the field of policy science in Vietnam.

Inheriting the above achievements, IPAM was established as a public service unit with legal status, with the functions of research, training, consulting, and networking of ideas and strategic thinking in Vietnam. IPAM has been actively participating in regional and international forums, being the focal point for attracting and gathering resources in the field of policy science. The School has entrusted the IPAM leadership with important responsibilities, including: Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh (Director), Dr. Dao Thanh Truong (Deputy Director), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Cao Dam (Chairman of the Science and Training Council).

Jackie Chan/USSH

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Cao Dam (Chairman of the Science and Training Council) spoke at the ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh (Principal of the University, Director of the Institute of Policy and Management) expressed his sincere thanks to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Cao Dam, the previous leader of CEPSTA, for his great contributions to the growth of IPAM today. The Director also said that the Institute will always value creativity, commitment and flexibility in implementing activities with the motto "Ideas - Awareness - Innovation". With that orientation, the Institute aims to become an effective "think tank" in the field of policy and management, actively contributing to the process of policy planning and implementation, promoting the socio-economic development and integration of the country.

IPAM will focus on three basic tasks:

- Short-term and long-term training, primarily at the postgraduate level, on policy planning and evaluation programs in public policy, public management and public administration.

- Research and implement research activities, participate and contribute to building and using progressive solutions in policy adjustment and management activities.

- Deploy diverse scientific services, provide and collect management policy information; consult and advise on orders.

On behalf of the Party Committee and the Board of Directors of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Kim (Vice Rector of the University) delivered a congratulatory speech on the launch of IPAM, affirming that the Institute was established to meet the requirements of expanding development cooperation, building a policy research network to meet the practical needs of forming "think tanks" in policy research in Vietnam. With what has been achieved, the Institute will soon affirm its position, becoming a leading institute, a place to concentrate resources in research and postgraduate training on pioneering policy and management of the country. On the other hand, the establishment of IPAM - the first institute model in the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - will create favorable conditions for the University to implement key, cutting-edge research projects and perform postgraduate training functions more effectively.

Jackie Chan/USSH

Associate Professor Dr. Vu Cao Dam, Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh and Associate Professor Dr. Pham Quang Minh chaired the discussion on Assessment of research and training activities in the policy field in Vietnam - some achievements and prospects.

On the same day, IPAM organized a seminar on “Evaluation of research and training activities in the field of policy in Vietnam – some achievements and prospects” with the participation of experts and scientists from the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the National Academy of Politics and Public Administration, the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, the Institute for Legislative Studies, VNU, etc. The delegates exchanged and discussed many specific contents: the role of policy in socio-economic development; new requirements for research and training in the field of policy; some approaches in policy research; social policy research and training from a sociological perspective; shortcomings in policy making in Vietnam; training in Public Policy; building a network of research and analysis of public policy in Vietnam; a model of training and research coordination between faculties and institutes in research universities; on the need to soon establish a Journal, which is the mouthpiece of the Institute and of policy and management researchers in Vietnam.

The discussion opinions affirmed the significance and importance of establishing a research and training institute on policy and management in Vietnam; about the IPAM model under the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - VNU, one of the largest centers of social sciences and humanities in the country; as well as many suggestive statements, full of enthusiasm for the development of IPAM in the future...