Transforming training programs, orienting school development

On March 22, 2012, the 5th meeting of the Science and Training Council for the 2009-2014 term of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities took place under the chairmanship of Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh (Rector) and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh (Vice Rector).The members of the Council listened to and discussed important issues related to the situation of converting undergraduate and postgraduate training programs; the future development orientation of the University. The specific reports are: - The situation of converting training programs according to output standards and implementing strategic tasks at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities presented by Dr. Tran Ngoc Lieu, Head of Training Department. - The situation of converting training according to output standards at postgraduate level presented by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Van Quyet, Head of Training Department. - Report on scientific research activities of the University in 2011 and plan for 2012 presented by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh, Vice Rector of the University. - Orientation for adjusting and developing centers presented by Dr. Hoang Van Luan, Head of Scientific Research Management Department. Regarding the situation of converting training programs according to output standards and implementing strategic tasks, Dr. Tran Ngoc Lieu emphasized some key tasks of 2012 - 2013: adjusting the project with goals, content and roadmap suitable to the conditions of the School; having a specific plan to develop the team of lecturers in expertise and foreign languages; continuing to invest in building a learning materials system; enhancing innovation in teaching methods and testing and evaluation methods; applying advanced university management solutions in the management of the project belonging to the strategic tasks of the language industry. Regarding the situation of converting training programs according to the output standards of postgraduate level, the report paid special attention to the progress of converting postgraduate training programs: the conversion of training programs has been carried out by the University since October 2011, however, through the actual inspection of the work of building output standards and converting training programs at the units, there are 3 problems that need to be overcome immediately: the faculties have only focused on converting undergraduate training programs and have not paid due attention to postgraduate training programs; some faculties have not implemented the work evenly. The report also clearly stated that to ensure the time for appraisal and approval, the units need to quickly complete the work by early April 2012. Regarding the scientific research activities of the University, Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Quang Minh emphasized the key tasks in 2012: Implement the development of 1-2 projects and a number of state-level scientific topics, actively and proactively participate in the research program on the capital Hanoi (phase 2); organize at least 5 international conferences; build strong research groups first in the fields/specialties with strengths; focus on increasing the publication of research results in international scientific journals. At the same time, Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Quang Minh presented specific implementation solutions: diversifying sources of funding for scientific research; enhancing scientific information, closely and promptly connecting with the Ministry of Science and Technology, NAFOSTED Fund, Hanoi capital and a number of localities; creating conditions to increase the number of grassroots topics, improving the method of assigning grassroots topics in the direction of prioritizing teaching staff who are doctoral students and postgraduate students; promote the search for resources from foreign partners. The draft report "Orientation for adjusting and developing centers", presented by Dr. Hoang Van Luan, proposed adjusting, arranging, and establishing a number of centers to promote the strength of the staff units, meeting the integration needs. At the meeting, the council also listened to and discussed the Report on the Project to establish the Center for Research, Training and Application of Culture - Arts, presented by Associate Professor Dr. Doan Duc Phuong - Head of the Faculty of Literature. And the Project to establish the Center for Research and Training of Vietnamese Language, presented by Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Hong Con - Head of the Faculty of Linguistics. In the discussion section, the opinions of professors and veteran teachers: Professor Dinh Van Duc, Professor Phan Huy Le, Professor Do Quang Hung, Professor Tran Tri Doi, Associate Professor Pham Xuan Hang, Associate Professor Nguyen Quoc Hung... expressed their support and agreement with the orientation of research and development of the School in the coming time. In addition, the professors also made important recommendations in transforming training programs, orienting scientific research and restructuring the operating mechanisms of centers that need to be properly assessed and especially concerned with quality. At the end of the meeting, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh summarized the main content of the conference and emphasized the key tasks in training and scientific research of the University in the coming time to build the University of Social Sciences and Humanities into a research university on par with advanced universities in the region and the world.