This morning, on 22/12, at the Tran Chi Dao Hall, VNUHCM organized its annual conference in 2023. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Hai Quan, Member of the Party Central Committee, Chancellor of VNUHCM, delivered an important message to all officials, lecturers, staff, students, and pupils within the VNUHCM system. The VNUHCM website is honored to present the full text of this message.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Hai Quan, Chancellor of VNUHCM, delivers the message at the Annual Conference. Photo: LE HOAI
2023 - VNUHCM continues to implement university administration innovations, enhance the quality of education and scientific research, promote innovative and creative activities, international cooperation, and local support, maintaining its position on the regional and global academic map.
In November 2023, during a working session with the National University of Ho Chi Minh City (VNUHCM), Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh commended the efforts and positive results achieved by generations of leaders, the collective of officials, scientists, lecturers, workers, and students over the past 28 years of construction and development. VNUHCM has become a university and post-university research and technology transfer center in most important fields, affirming its pioneering role in Vietnam's higher education, gradually standardizing and integrating with the region and the world. This is a great encouragement for the persistent, resilient, and striving journey of VNUHCM over the past 28 years.
In 2023, VNUHCM admitted 193 new party members, exceeding the set target and marking the highest number of new party members admitted so far. VNUHCM inaugurated the virtual Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space, where students can experience, learn, and follow the thoughts, ethics, and style of Uncle Ho. In 2023, VNUHCM successfully organized the 6th Congress of Trade Unions, term 2023-2028; awarded the "Five Excellences Student of VNUHCM" title to 284 students, the highest number of students receiving this title at the city and university level to date; successfully organized the Young Literature Award, expanded VNUHCM's basketball tournament, and various other activities for students.
In 2023, VNUHCM actively coordinated with the Ministry and departments to organize national seminars, proposing practical content suitable for the development of universities. Notably, in collaboration with the Central Propaganda Committee, a national seminar on "Policies to attract, invest, train, and develop a team of scientific and technological intellectuals in the new context" was organized. Suggestions and recommendations at the seminar were recorded during the drafting of the Resolution of the Party Central Committee. Resolution No. 45-NQ/TW dated 24/11/2023 of the Party Central Committee on continuing to build and promote the role of the intellectual team to meet the requirements of the country's fast and sustainable development in the new stage outlined tasks focused on building breakthrough mechanisms, policies, and investing resources to develop VNUHCM to be on par with advanced countries, with enough capacity and conditions to maintain a core role in training and research by the intellectual team.
In 2023, VNUHCM completed the construction of the "Development Project of VNUHCM in the group of leading universities in Asia" for the Prime Minister's consideration and approval. The implementation of the project is to concretize Resolution 24-NQ/TW of the Politburo on economic and social development and ensuring defense and security in the Southeast region, which requires the development of VNUHCM as a central, focal point reaching an advanced level in Asia.
In 2023, VNUHCM updated and issued the Development Strategy for the 2021-2030 period, vision to 2045, determining the vision of becoming a top research university system in Asia, a place where talents converge and knowledge of Vietnamese culture spreads. The strategy also identifies four focal tasks: (1) Attract, train, and develop talents; (2) Expand interdisciplinary education and research; (3) Develop the National Innovation Center; (4) Develop sustainable financial resources.
In 2023, VNUHCM continued to rank among the top 1,000 best universities in the world (QS World); led the country in the number of international publications in the Scopus database (2,494 articles as of 18/12/2023) and the number of programs accredited by national accreditation organizations (125 programs).
In 2023, VNUHCM led the country in the number of recognized professors and associate professors (36 teachers). Many teachers and students of VNUHCM received prestigious awards in teaching, learning, scientific research, and technology development. For example: the Golden Globe Science and Technology Award in 2023; L'Oréal - UNESCO Award for the Development of Women in Science; Future Women of Southeast Asia Award 2023; Bronze Medal, International Mathematical Olympiad 64th, 2023 (IMO 2023); First Prize in the Oraichain Hackathon 2023 programming competition; First Prize in the ASEAN Cybersecurity Competition 2023; Global Winner Award in The Global Undergraduate Awards program in 2023.
In 2023, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 790/QD-TTg approving the planning of the construction zoning of VNUHCM. This is an important legal basis for VNUHCM to implement the task of building a green, friendly, and modern university town, a nucleus of innovation connecting the Southeast region.
In 2023, VNUHCM organized international forums, seminars, attracting many experts from reputable universities, large corporations worldwide, contributing to affirming the image, reputation, and position of VNUHCM on the international academic map. The 12th Asian University Forum brought together leaders from 21 higher education institutions from 13 countries; The discussion "Cooperation in developing high-quality human resources: Dialogue with Korean companies" attracted the participation of leaders from 8 leading Korean corporations in Vietnam (Samsung, CJ Group, POSCO, Shinhan Bank, etc.). Especially, the US Department of State, the Consulate General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City visited and worked with VNUHCM on cooperation in science and technology, climate change, and training human resources for the semiconductor industry - microchip design.
In 2023, VNUHCM signed 71 cooperation agreements with local partners and businesses; actively supported localities and businesses in implementing 183 science and technology tasks in various fields such as artificial intelligence application, biotechnology, environment, tourism development, heritage conservation. The entire system implemented 19 advisory activities, providing input for the development strategy of economic and social development, assessing the planning reports of some localities.
In 2023, VNUHCM completed a survey to assess the recruitment needs of nearly 1,800 units in 4 provinces and cities in the Southeast region (Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Ba Ria - Vung Tau). This provided an important practical basis for updating, improving training programs, enhancing the quality of human resources, meeting the needs of businesses, and contributing to the socio-economic development of localities.
In 2023, VNUHCM conducted a trial of digital signatures, expanded the experimentation of digital transformation in management and operation to some member units, directly managed through the IOC software system; updated and standardized the LMS system at training bases, continued to develop MOOCs lectures; put into operation the software for managing scientific and technological missions.
In 2023, VNUHCM established two new functional departments: the Planning and Investment Department and the Finance Department, based on the reorganization of the Planning and Finance Department; merged the Commendation and Reward Board into the Organization and Personnel Board; established the Leadership Capacity Development Institute (restructured from the Research and Training Institute) and the Policy Development Institute (assigned to the School of Economics - Law). The establishment and merger of units aim to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in implementing strategic tasks.
There are many other important results that I cannot list comprehensively within this message. Looking back on a year of determination and effort, we are excited and proud of the achievements. The dedication and contributions of each teacher, official, worker, and student have brought about encouraging results, providing significant motivation for VNUHCM to continue striving and contributing more effectively to the development of Vietnam's higher education system and the nation in the new stage. These are also important prerequisites for us to confidently step into the future.
Alongside the achievements, the management, specialized work, and operational activities at VNUHCM in 2023 still face prolonged limitations and difficulties, including the personnel completion of the Board of Directors, the digital transformation, the compensation for land clearance, disbursement activities, which have not progressed as expected due to both subjective and objective reasons.
2024 - Continuing the journey of modern university management innovation, ensuring agility, efficiency, and accountability; improving the quality of education and scientific research, aligning with the development needs of the country, the region, and the world; aiming for the 30th anniversary of the establishment and development of VNUHCM.
2024 is identified as an extremely important turning point, determining the success of the goals in the 2021-2025 Plan, and also the first year of implementing the VNUHCM Development Strategy in the new stage of 2021-2030, vision to 2045. Based on this, VNUHCM sets some key tasks as follows:
Regarding management: (1) Implementing the Project "Attracting, retaining, and developing excellent young scientists, leading scientists working at VNUHCM; (2) Piloting innovative methods of assessing officials, civil servants, and workers based on output results; (3) Completing and putting into operation the faculty and student data center; (4) Continuing to improve the legal document system, researching and proposing outstanding mechanisms and policies for VNUHCM's development, submitting to competent authorities for approval; (5) Researching and proposing restructuring plans for the Gifted High School.
Regarding education and training: (1) Launching new interdisciplinary and cross-university training programs to serve the development needs of the country, such as Semiconductor Technology - Integrated Circuit Design, New Energy Technology, and green growth models; (2) Increasing the number of postgraduate students and the international publication count of postgraduate students; (3) Continuing to innovate teaching programs and methods, implementing a synchronized LMS system, MOOCs online lecture system, piloting some common subjects, and recognizing credits for high school students with outstanding talents through a combined online and direct method; (4) Strengthening cultural, artistic, physical education and sports activities, as well as team club activities for students; (5) Continuing to expand vocational skill training activities for localities and businesses.
Regarding science and technology: (1) Proactively proposing and implementing interdisciplinary research topics and projects in line with VNUHCM's development strategy; (2) Continuing to increase the number of international publications in the Scopus index; (3) Efficiently implementing state-level scientific and technological programs (especially the program "Science and Technology responding to climate change for sustainable development in the Mekong Delta region until 2030"), local-level programs (especially with Ho Chi Minh City and provinces in the Southeast), and collaboration with enterprises; (4) Establishing an Innovation Center; (5) Prioritizing investment in laboratories to serve interdisciplinary research and training.
Regarding cooperation and integration development: (1) Developing another joint training program with a world-leading university in priority development areas (AI, biotechnology, semiconductor technology - integrated circuit design, etc.); (2) Developing another international project with U.S. partners on training and research in priority areas; (3) Proposing mechanisms to encourage experts and scientists to participate in cooperative activities with localities and businesses; (4) Identifying a new international education network suitable for the development strategy; (5) Improving the international student exchange information portal and issuing an international student exchange handbook.
Regarding the development of the university town: (1) Submitting the investment adjustment proposal for the total investment of the compensation and site clearance projects to competent authorities for approval; (2) Commencing new construction projects for learning, experimentation, and technical infrastructure in the University Town; (3) Researching investment in expanding dormitories and support services for students.
Regarding finance: (1) Improving the project to increase revenue from research, technology transfer, and commercialization of products; (2) Building a portfolio of investment projects to attract investment in the University Town and coordinating investment promotion activities; (3) Establishing a Business directly under VNUHCM; (4) Improving financial regulations, public asset regulations; decentralizing and delegating authority in financial and asset management.
To become a leading research university system in Asia, a gathering place for talents and a disseminator of Vietnamese culture, worthy of the trust of the Party, State, and people, I call on all teachers, officials, employees, and workers to unite and make efforts to build VNUHCM to new heights.
In the early days of the new year 2024 and the approaching Tet holiday of the Year of the Tiger, I sincerely wish all teachers, officials, employees, and workers good health, happiness, and success.
Source: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Hai Quan, VNUHCM
For more details, visit: https://vnuhcm.edu.vn/tin-tuc_32343364/thong-diep-cua-giam-doc-dhqg-hcm/...
Ha Bang - Media Collaborator, University of Information Technology
Nhat Hien - Translation Collaborator, University of Information Technology
