National Universities must build their own development philosophy, at the right level, not chasing after training in 'hot' professions.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha said that the National University must build its own development philosophy, have large and appropriate tasks, and should not set too many tasks or pursue training in "hot" professions.

Cần cơ chế, chính sách để hai Đại học Quốc gia phát triển xứng tầm

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha visited the Stem Cell Research Institute, University of Science , Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City.

On September 6, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha had a working session with the leadership of Ho Chi Minh City National University and Hanoi National University.

Also attending were Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son, Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung.

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha affirmed that the National University is a model formed from a very correct policy with nearly 30 years of implementation.

With the mission set out, the two National Universities need to summarize to be able to comprehensively evaluate the achievements and remaining issues in order to promote the development of this model. In particular, it is necessary to clearly recognize which issues need newer and more developed thinking so that the National Universities can maximize democracy, intelligence, pioneer in innovation, and realize the set mission goals.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha suggested that on the basis of law as well as practical implementation, the two National Universities need to have a comprehensive project, in which they propose to the State issues that the State needs to invest in, place orders for, and their implementation strategies in the coming time.

National Universities must build their own development philosophy, have large and appropriate missions, and should not set too many missions or pursue training in "hot" professions.

Based on the goals, strategies and commitments of the National University, the State will make appropriate investments in terms of resources, policy mechanisms, operating models and social participation.

At the meeting, leaders of the two National Universities proposed many issues to create mechanisms and policies for development worthy of their assigned missions and tasks.

The two National Universities recommended that the Government soon issue a Decree on National Universities and a Decision to promulgate the Regulations on the organization and operation of National Universities and member higher education institutions in the direction of increasing autonomy and self-responsibility.

The Decree needs to clarify the provision that "National Universities have high autonomy in activities related to training, scientific research, finance, international relations and organizational structure" in the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Higher Education.

According to the leaders of the two National Universities, to develop National Universities at an international level, there must be appropriate policies and resources commensurate with the set mission.

Currently, the powers of the National University are subject to the provisions of the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Higher Education, so the powers regarding expertise, finance, and resources are not specific enough to promote the unit's proper development. Therefore, this Decree needs to aim at creating appropriate mechanisms and policies on the use of resources, human resources, and finance for the National University.

Regarding this issue, Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son said that the Ministry has completed the draft Decree and is collecting opinions from ministries and branches before submitting it to the Government.

The two National Universities also have high expectations for the new mechanisms that will be reflected in the Decree; however, this Decree is a guide to the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Higher Education, so the contents cannot exceed the provisions of the Law but can only have some specific points.

Only when there is a separate National University Law can there truly be a legal basis to "pave the way" for the National University to develop rapidly and be able to fundamentally resolve the problems it is facing.

Associate Professor, Dr. Vu Hai Quan, Director of Ho Chi Minh City National University, shared that in the Government's Action Program to implement Resolution 24 on socio-economic development, ensuring national defense and security in the Southeast region until 2030, with a vision to 2045, the Prime Minister assigned Ho Chi Minh City National University to preside over the Project "Developing Ho Chi Minh City National University into the group of leading higher education institutions in Asia".

The core tasks of the Project are to develop training, research and start-up programs in the fields of Semiconductor Technology, Biotechnology, Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence among the top in Asia; develop Ho Chi Minh City National University into a national innovation center, connecting with regional and world centers.

In early August, Ho Chi Minh City National University completed the draft project and is seeking opinions from ministries, branches and localities before submitting it to the Prime Minister for consideration and approval. This is an important direction for Ho Chi Minh City National University to continue its mission of carrying out national strategic tasks and regional development tasks of the country.

Ho Chi Minh City National University proposed that the Government assign Ho Chi Minh City National University to appraise and approve detailed plans for component projects under its management in order to speed up the progress of investment preparation and disbursement of development investment capital.

In particular, Ho Chi Minh City National University proposed that the competent authority allow the rearrangement of the capital that had been canceled (more than 420 billion VND) due to not being fully disbursed in previous years for the compensation and site clearance project of Ho Chi Minh City National University in order to promptly supplement capital to speed up and complete the site clearance work at the Ho Chi Minh City National University Urban Area.

During the meeting, many opinions and recommendations were made that the Government should have policies for basic science sectors to have human resources to meet development requirements.

Scientists also recommended that relevant ministries and branches consider simplifying administrative procedures as well as financial mechanisms in scientific research, creating favorable conditions for the implementation of research topics and technology transfer.

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