Training Conference 2023: Strengthening digital university management capacity and online training at VNU-USSH

The conference was organized into two sessions, including the following contents: Summary of enrollment and training work in 2022-2023 and directions and tasks in 2024 and digital technology issues in training; Enrollment and management work, organization of undergraduate and postgraduate training... After listening to the presentations, delegates focused on discussing and giving comments on the key adjustments in the management and training organization of the School. Speaking at the Conference, Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan - Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities emphasized: "The Conference is a forum for frank and constructive discussions on the contents of the training regulations, aiming to implement the regulations in a strict, humane manner, towards the interests of learners".
In addition, Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan affirmed that the school thoroughly implements the policy of removing bottlenecks and creating the most favorable conditions for lecturers to prepare documents, textbooks, monographs, etc. The training activities of VNU-USSH always receive support, companionship, understanding, and close guidance from Hanoi National University. This is an advantage for the school to continue to innovate and improve the processes and regulations in training at all levels. The picture of training activities has many bright spots.
Reviewing the enrollment and training activities in 2023, Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Thanh Nam - Head of Training Department said that the enrollment activities of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities last year were a bright spot in the Vietnam National University, Hanoi. Up to now, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities has completed the regular university enrollment in 2023 with the number of admitted candidates being 2,023 (including ethnic minority preparatory students and foreign students), reaching 101.15% of the announced target.
VNU-USSH's doctoral admissions are attracting a large number of students, especially in fields such as Linguistics, Philosophy, Political Science... The school has organized centralized admissions according to the admission plan of the Ministry of Education and Training and VNU.
The training organization maintains stability, ensuring operations in accordance with current regulations at all levels of education. The application of information technology in training organization needs to continue to be enhanced, such as building a course feedback channel, tools to support academic advising in performing tasks... The University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU has affirmed its reputation and brand so that learners are proud to study in a quality, serious educational environment. Dr. Le Thi Thanh Tam - Head of the Faculty of Vietnamese Studies and Language shared information about the achievements of the Faculty in carrying out professional tasks, international cooperation activities and cultural exchange tasks. The Faculty of Vietnamese Studies and Language has attracted a large number of international students to study in recent years, and is a pioneer and prestigious unit in the country in implementing research activities and training Vietnamese for foreigners in Vietnam and overseas Vietnamese in many countries around the world. Strengthening digital university management capacity and online training at VNU-USSH
Dr. Dao Minh Quan - Director of the Center for Communications and Information Technology, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, said that digital transformation is a major policy that the school's Board of Directors has resolutely directed and has achieved many successes. Especially in the context of the complicated developments of the COVID pandemic. VNU-USSH is considered one of the leading units in VNU in digital transformation. Digital transformation activities in university governance at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities over the past years have focused on two main contents: digital transformation in educational organization management and digital transformation in teaching and learning. The school has applied modern training management and learner management software since the transition to credit-based training, built a one-stop administrative procedure support portal for students, minimizing the need for students to come to perform direct transactions at the school's functional departments; deployed an online job portal; synchronized the VNU - Eoffice executive document management system; software for registering and managing scientific research topics; improving digital capacity for lecturers and students... However, currently, the school's information technology infrastructure capacity is gradually becoming outdated; The server system does not meet the requirements; There is no automatic data backup system; The risk of losing security and safety is present. Therefore, in the coming time, the school needs to continue to promote the implementation of the digital transformation strategy in university administration. Allocate budget and resources to ensure feasibility and effectiveness for the digital transformation process. In particular, prioritize investment in server systems, automatic data backup systems to ensure stable operation of the training management and student management systems; Upgrade and expand the wifi system to all training units; Apply AI in supporting and advising students; Build and provide training courses and support for lecturers and students in the digital transformation process; Develop and publish guidance and advisory materials to assist faculty and students in the use of digital technologies. Discussing online training at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, MSc. Pham Van Hue - Deputy Head of Training Department said that online training has created diversity in the teaching methods of the University, contributing greatly to the innovation of teaching methods (especially for courses implementing innovative teaching using online training systems (usually called course websites). In the coming time, the University will continue to promote online training, effectively applying the positive points of online training in training organization: Promoting the initiative of teachers and learners, diversifying teaching and learning methods, optimizing costs and learning time, widely accessing knowledge. Strengthening the construction of electronic lecture systems, digital resources in line with the development trend of modern education. Aiming to increase the proportion of online teaching courses, combined direct and online teaching to 30% of the total number of courses opened.
Develop an online teaching model for Political Theory courses based on the principle of prioritizing training quality, considering the specific factors of the course to determine the appropriate ratio of direct and online teaching, submit to VNU, the Ministry of Education and Training and the Central Propaganda Department for consideration and approval. Expand the scale of training in the second major at the university level. In the presentation "Building e-lectures - Experience and applicability at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities", Dr. Do Van Hung - Head of the Faculty of Information and Library Science shared that with the online training model and building e-lectures, the role of lecturers is changed from knowledge transmitters to the role of guides, promoting creativity of learners. Dr. Do Van Hung affirmed that online training and building e-lectures is a trend and an inevitable requirement in higher education. However, the actual implementation will face many difficulties and challenges. Therefore, it is necessary to have the political determination of the school's leaders and leaders of the units, along with the support of lecturers and staff, so that the University of Social Sciences and Humanities can catch up with the trend and actively and proactively participate in the national digital transformation program and build a digital university in Vietnam. The 2023 Training Conference received consensus on the viewpoint of technologizing the school's teaching and learning activities from delegates from faculties/institutes/centers with the goal of "technifying to reduce teaching pressure for lecturers and bring convenience and efficiency to learners".
Enhance training and policy activities with basic sciences
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Hong Son - Deputy Head of the Faculty of History outlined the general picture of enrollment and training in basic sciences. Over the past time, the school has persisted in the two orientations of basic sciences and applied sciences coexisting in all training activities, scientific research, transfer of research results and community service. However, the field of science always faces many difficulties and challenges... Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Hong Son also expressed his gratitude for the recent preferential policies of VNU and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities for maintaining the passion and aspiration of students, trainees and postgraduates in basic sciences. At the same time, he expressed his hope that "VNU and the University will continue to have more drastic, stronger and more specific policies and actions to create the best development environment for the passion and dedication of teachers and students in basic science training programs in the University of Social Sciences and Humanities to be nurtured, sublimated and shined". Sharing the same opinion with Associate Professor, Dr. Dang Hong Son, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Van Chieu - Head of the Faculty of Political Science, the picture of enrollment in basic science majors is facing difficulties. Especially, at the postgraduate level. Therefore, in the coming time, the University needs to review and evaluate the enrollment organization process in the direction of better meeting social needs, promoting communication work, expanding the online registration portal and further promoting the role of training units and postgraduate enrollment consulting. The issue of training in the second major was raised in the report of Dr. Phan Van Kien - Director of the Institute of Journalism and Communication Training, which received many comments from delegates. In which, all comments affirmed the need to expand the scale of training in the second major at the university level. Focus on building programs and recruiting students for the second major in all training majors of the University. The target audience is all students currently studying at member units of VNU... Strengthen communication work so that students better understand the superiority of the second major training program.

Assoc.Prof.Dr. Tran Thi Kim Oanh - Head of Religious Studies Department, University of Social Sciences and Humanities Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Hien - Deputy Head of Faculty of Literature, University of Social Sciences and Humanities Assoc.Prof.Dr. Pham Hong Long - Head of Tourism Studies Department, University of Social Sciences and Humanities Dr. Ngo Tuan Thang - Deputy Dean of International Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities

Synchronous solutions to improve and enhance training quality
From the reports and opinions of the delegates, the 2023 Training Conference agreed on many solutions to improve and perfect the school's training activities. In particular, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Thi Thu Huong emphasized the need to continue to develop guidance documents and innovate the school's training management process in a streamlined, effective and scientific manner, ensuring appropriate application of current training regulations. Promote the application of information technology in organizing training and advising learners. Build a "Professional - Friendly - Effective" working environment.
The school continues to adjust the university training schedule for the entire course and each semester to shorten the training time, aiming for students to study 3-3.5 years/ 1 university degree; 4-5 years/ 2 bachelor's degrees or 1 bachelor's degree, 1 master's degree. Continue to create a flexible mechanism to attract students to participate in graduation thesis.
The Training Department continues to research, survey, evaluate and propose solutions to innovate testing and evaluation work, and increase the delegation of authority to lecturers in testing and evaluation work.
In the coming time, VNU-USSH will promote online training in the direction of promoting the positive aspects of online training in training organization. Units proactively build a system of electronic lectures and digital learning materials, aiming to increase the proportion of online teaching courses to 20% of the total number of courses offered.
Expand the scale of training for the second major at university level. In particular, focus on building programs and recruiting students for the second major in all training majors of the School.
Strengthen communication about training programs to attract learners to register to study at the school.
Some images at the 2023 Training Conference of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU: