Innovation and integration in research and training in social sciences and humanities

Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh - Rector of University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU

Dear Professor Pham Quang Minh, recently, experts and the public have been very interested in the Vietnam University Rankings published by an independent research group. What is your comment on this ranking and what is the University of Social Sciences and Humanities's view on university rankings in general?

I think that the recent announcement of a university ranking in Vietnam is a very important initial effort, which deserves recognition. The criteria given are also very appropriate, such as: scientific research, education and training, facilities and university administration... These are also criteria that are consistent with the general trend of universities and especially consistent with the policies of Vietnam and the world. However, this study does not have a clear classification between different groups of universities, such as research universities, training universities, multidisciplinary universities or single-disciplinary universities... so it can create many conflicting opinions in public opinion. It is very necessary to have independent and objective assessments of the position of universities in order to create an environment of transparent information and be a driving force for development and integration. In that context, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, a member unit of the Vietnam National University, Hanoi, has been very active and proactive in the work of quality assessment and university ranking. In recent years, quality assessment has become a regular task of the University. We have 3 training programs assessed for quality according to the standards of the Southeast Asian University Network (AUN), many training programs are assessed according to the standards of Vietnam National University, Hanoi and the Ministry of Education and Training. The nature of quality assessment is not to find limitations and errors, but that work is like a mirror showing us the strengths and weaknesses for us to improve and continue to innovate. Quality assessment and university ranking are like a push to motivate universities to develop more and more.

Professor, training and research in social sciences and humanities in Vietnam have undergone many major changes in recent years. As a multidisciplinary university with a long-standing and prestigious tradition in social sciences and humanities, could you share the milestones in the innovation of training and research at the University in the past school year?

In the past year, the School continued its strategy of building the School into an advanced research university. This is a very long journey, inherited from many years ago, but at this stage, the School has strengthened and further promoted the improvement of training quality and scientific research. In training, the School has reviewed the process to shorten the training time from 4 years to 3.5 years, while still ensuring the quality of output standards. This has contributed to saving students and society a lot of money and time to increase job opportunities. The School opened many new training majors at both undergraduate, master and doctoral levels, meeting social needs. The School is the first institution to open a major in Religious Studies. The Doctoral major in Science and Technology Management was first implemented nationwide and 1 doctorate was awarded. The Vietnamese Studies major also had a foreign student receiving a Master's degree... In scientific research, the policy of promoting international publication is still being implemented well with nearly 50 high-quality works, 1/5 of which are published in high-ranking journals in the ISI and Scopus systems... In addition, there are dozens of scientific topics at the State, Ministry and VNU levels and localities across the country. The school is investing in 03 new laboratories to serve training and research. These marks demonstrate the pioneering role of the school in the field of social sciences and humanities, as well as the position of the school through internationally published research, applied to social practice.

It is true that up to now, Vietnamese universities in general and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in particular have paid much attention to the issue of international integration. Compared to natural sciences, engineering or economics, the integration of social sciences and humanities faces many difficulties and limitations, such as language barriers, ideology, methodology, etc. However, I think that social sciences and humanities have their own advantages that other sciences do not have. International scholars are particularly interested in the history, culture, and traditions of Vietnam. Every year, we welcome thousands of international scholars, lecturers and students to study Vietnamese and research in the fields of social sciences and humanities. That is a unique advantage compared to other sciences. Second, Vietnam is truly a typical model of social development, a model of transformation from a centralized bureaucracy to a market economy. This model has great international appeal. Third, Vietnam is like a “living museum”. Here, social scientists and humanities have many advantages in studying cases of issues that the whole world is facing, such as: urbanization, migration, sustainable development, climate change, ethnic language and culture... Vietnam is now not known for its past wars, but is a peaceful, dynamic and innovative country. That is what makes Vietnam a very attractive research subject. Social sciences and humanities actually have a very valuable source of living documents for research. We really need domestic efforts as well as international cooperation to promote and exploit those potentials in order to have comprehensive and scientific strategies for national development.Many opinions say that the field of social sciences and humanities faces many difficulties in international integration. What is the professor's opinion on this?

The school considers international integration as a spearhead in the school's development strategy, which is reflected in the resolutions of the Party Committee and the general policies of the school. On the one hand, the school welcomes hundreds of foreign lecturers and students, and also sends students abroad to study, practice, and exchange. Staff and students regularly exchange and participate in international programs, projects, research projects, and training programs. The school has signed more than 270 cooperation documents with important partners in the world, creating opportunities for cooperation with universities and organizations around the world. At the same time, the school teaches many courses in English, and establishes 2 English clubs for staff and students. Upgrades the English website. The School's Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities publishes two issues in English each year.... All of this has created a new awareness among the School's staff and students that it is necessary to improve foreign language skills, considering it the key to opening doors to the world. The context of internationalization and integration is the condition that helps universities improve the quality of training and research, demonstrating their position in the general development trend.

Returning to the story of high-quality human resources to meet the requirements of innovation and international integration, what do you have to share with students of social sciences and humanities in particular and the young generation in general?

Families, schools and society always care about and trust the young generation. Today's students need to be aware of their roles, responsibilities and positions in the new era. A group of students still have the mentality of the subsidy period, low initiative, and inertia. The world is developing with the 4.0 revolution and Vietnam cannot be out of the trend. But whether in the 4.0 revolution or the next revolutions in the future, humanity always respects and nurtures social sciences and humanities as the foundation of all development. To keep up with the new trends of the times, we need to make efforts to prepare, be proactive and seize opportunities. Success only comes to those who know how to seize opportunities with confidence, ready to overcome challenges.

Thank you very much, Professor.

(according to Education and Times Newspaper)