To commemorate 38 years of its training tradition and 15 years as an independent unit of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, the Faculty of Information and Library Science organized a scientific conference on October 27th with the theme "The Vietnamese Information and Library Science Industry: Innovation and International Integration". The conference was attended by 80 delegates, including scientists, experts, and managers from various information and library agencies nationwide, with a total of 50 presentations.The main content of the workshop focused on discussing theoretical and practical issues in the operation of Vietnam's Information and Library sector after 25 years of national renewal and international integration, proposing practical solutions for the renewal and integration process, contributing to the renewal and integration in the next stage of Vietnam's Information and Library sector. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Quy (Head of the Faculty of Information and Library Science) reviewed the outstanding achievements of the Information and Library sector in 25 years of renewal and international integration. In particular, the training of human resources after 25 years of renewal has developed strongly in both quantity and quality. Before 1986, there were only 2 professional training institutions at the undergraduate level and 2 non-professional training institutions, with no postgraduate training. To date, professional training institutions include: 3 doctoral training institutions, 15 bachelor's degree training institutions, 20 college-level training institutions, 18 vocational training institutions, and 10 non-specialized training institutions offering short-term professional development courses. In addition, Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thi Quy highlighted several notable achievements in professional work, staff development, scientific research, foreign relations, and international cooperation at the conference. A presentation on "Opportunities and Challenges for Information and Library Activities and the Role of Training Institutions in the Development of Information and Library Activities in Vietnam" by Ms. Ngo Van Chung (Director of the Military Library) particularly emphasized the role of training institutions in general, and the Faculty of Information and Library Science at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in particular, in the development of information and library activities in Vietnam: training institutions play a crucial role in creating the qualifications and capabilities of library staff. To further improve the quality of training for library staff, Mr. Ngo Van Chung proposed two suggestions: Firstly, the content of the training program needs to be reformed to meet several requirements: providing students with a comprehensive knowledge system to enable them to adapt to the development trends of society and the industry upon graduation; focusing on providing knowledge of information and library management in a market economy; and improving foreign language proficiency and the ability to use modern technical equipment. Secondly, the State, ministries, and governing bodies must have adequate investment policies for training.
To further improve the quality of training for Information and Library staff in the context of integration and development, Mr. Tran Huu Huynh (Deputy Head of the Faculty of Information and Library Science, University of Social Sciences and Humanities) stated that in the coming time, the Faculty needs to implement several solutions: minimize traditional library science subjects, strengthen information and communication technology, content technology, and marketing; innovate content and improve skills in applying international professional standards: DDC classification framework, MARC21 format; equip standard lecture halls for students to practice skills; compile textbooks and reference materials; improve the quality of specialized foreign language skills for students; Expanding into new, strategic subjects in response to societal demands… Continuing the innovation and integration of the Vietnamese library sector, according to Mr. Vu Van Son (Vietnam Association of Scientific and Technological Information), the library sector has favorable conditions: many large libraries in Vietnam have joined the global and regional library community; there are legal documents that serve as a basis for integration and ensure resources for sustainable development, the most effective of which is the Library Law. At the same time, Vietnam has joined the International and State Standards Organization and has also established the TCVN46 Standards Committee to compile and submit to the government for promulgation standards compatible with ISO. And many other presentations and opinions at the conference addressed specific issues and activities of the sector: "Trends in coordination and collaboration in building and sharing information resources in Vietnam," "Managing information and library resources in modern society," "Sharing library resources in the early days of Google," etc., contributing to further clarifying the role of the Information and Library sector and its future development.
