On April 7, 2013, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities held a conference in Vinh Phuc to summarize its non-formal training activities for the 2011-2012 academic year.The conference was attended by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim – Vice Rector of the University, leaders of Faculties/Departments, functional departments, and training assistants from the Faculties. The conference aimed to evaluate and summarize the non-formal training activities in 2011-2012 and to discuss the draft guidelines for organizing non-formal training in the future. The discussions at the conference particularly emphasized the important role of non-formal training in several fields to meet the societal demand for human resources in social sciences and humanities. Collaborative training with partners in many provinces and cities nationwide has contributed to promoting the image of the University and training human resources to serve the socio-economic development of the country in various localities.
Next, the discussions focused on the following topics: the organization of general subjects, foreign languages, information technology, and national defense and security education; the application of positive aspects of credit-based training in part-time study programs; the organization and implementation of part-time study programs according to the credit-based training framework; tuition fee collection; and the implementation of short-term certificate training. Other participants shared experiences in organizing and managing part-time study programs in their localities and proposed recommendations to improve the quality and effectiveness of non-formal education. In summary, the school achieved outstanding results in its non-formal training activities in 2011-2012: in coordination with units inside and outside the school, it successfully enrolled over 1,500 students in various programs including part-time study, college-to-university transfer programs, second degree programs, short-term certificate programs, and university-level supplementary courses for postgraduate entrance exams. Particularly, based on the formal training programs, the units applied positive elements in organizing teaching for the part-time program, such as: applying a credit-based training framework, increasing self-study time, guided practical training, and flexible mechanisms for accumulating credits across different classes… Along with this, training processes such as semester teaching plans, examination organization, and end-of-course exams were implemented according to regulations; close cooperation with partners in managing and organizing classes was maintained. However, non-formal training programs have still faced some shortcomings in their organization and implementation: enrollment quotas are decreasing, training management software has not yet been deployed, class inspections and audits are not conducted regularly, and tuition fee collection still faces many obstacles. In his concluding remarks, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Kim – Vice Rector of the University – highly appreciated the role and achievements of non-formal training. He also affirmed that many non-formal training programs of the University have been organized in provinces and cities nationwide, from Ha Giang to Ca Mau. The societal demand for human resources in social sciences and humanities is very high, and many partners have expressed their desire to cooperate with the University in training. The Vice Rector emphasized that in the coming period, non-formal training needs to focus primarily on key objectives: continuously improving the quality of training, closely integrating research and training, designing training programs that meet the needs of society, and opening new majors and specializations. In particular, non-formal training must integrate with formal training and meet the standards of formal training.
