To avoid 'closing down' basic sciences

Basic science majors such as mathematics, physics, geology, oceanography, philosophy... in recent years at some universities have almost failed to meet enrollment targets, some majors have had to 'close'...

So in the coming time, what policies will universities have to support and innovate training programs to attract candidates?

TRENDING INDUSTRIES, HIGH INCOME ATTRACTING CANDIDATES

Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Trung Hieu, Head of the Department of Geology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Science , said: "In recent years, it has been very difficult to recruit geology majors. In 2021, the quota was more than 100 but only 30 students were admitted. In 2022, only 40-50% of the quota was recruited."

Geology students, one of the basic science majors of the University of Natural Sciences (Ho Chi Minh City National University), currently have few candidates enrolling.

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According to Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Trung Hieu, geology is one of the fields of earth science, extremely important in the current context on a global scale, not just in a single country. "Natural resources including mineral mines, water sources, oil, gas... are increasingly depleted by human exploitation. Therefore, there must be engineers and geological bachelors to research, explore and find new resources to replace them. Not to mention the consequences of depletion are the increasingly complex processes of geological disasters, climate change... requiring countries to pay attention and have a long-term strategy for sustainable development. Our country's human resources are lacking when the rate of people studying mineral geology, environment, mineral resources... is too low in recent years", Associate Professor, Dr. Trung Hieu shared.

Not only geology, at Ho Chi Minh City University of Natural Sciences, majors such as oceanography , meteorology and climatology... due to few candidates registering, the benchmark scores are relatively low, in 2021 only 17.5 - 18 points are required to pass. In 2022, the benchmark score increased to 20 but is still among the majors with the lowest scores.

At the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Ho Chi Minh City National University), Dr. Pham Tan Ha, Vice Principal, said that basic science majors such as religious studies, philosophy, history, geography, archival studies, and library information often have very few candidates registering.

"Any major that is trained in university is always in demand by society. However, due to the market economy, students often choose majors based on trends. Many students, for economic reasons, choose majors that are easy to earn income, even though they are passionate about the above-mentioned scientific fields," Dr. Ha acknowledged.

Meanwhile, the University of Education (University of Danang) had to stop some really difficult majors such as applied mathematics and physics. The chemistry major is still maintained but can still be called difficult. The other basic science majors of the university enroll at least one class per year and the admission scores are still at the threshold to ensure the quality of input and especially output.

According to Dr. Bui Bich Hanh, Vice Principal of the University of Education (University of Danang), the reason for the difficulty in recruiting is due to many factors such as candidates' career choices, job opportunities...

TUITION SUPPORT, SCHOLARSHIPS AND LIVING EXPENSES

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Dinh Tu, Chief of Office of Ho Chi Minh City National University, commented: "Basic science is the foundation of scientific and technological development in each country. Maintaining, investing in and developing basic science training programs is very necessary."

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Tu, Ho Chi Minh City National University has implemented and implemented many policies such as financial support and tuition reduction for basic science majors that are difficult to recruit for member schools. In the 2022-2023 school year, Ho Chi Minh City National University has supported 35% of tuition fees for some majors at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Ho Chi Minh City such as philosophy, religious studies, history, geography, library information, archival studies, etc.

OPINION

The state needs support policies.

Within their scope, universities will have support policies to attract candidates. However, in the long term, the government should have support policies, such as good salaries, creating conditions and working environments so that students can confidently choose basic science fields to study and contribute.

Dr. Pham Tan Ha

(Vice Principal of University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Ho Chi Minh City)

Need to forecast development trends

Most candidates choose a career based on the criteria of which industry has high salary and easy to get a job. If the government places orders, has scholarships, interest-free study loans, job placement, good salary and working conditions, then basic science industries will certainly be more attractive. In addition, the government should forecast the development trend of the country in relation to the region and the world, have short-term and long-term strategies from which to decide which basic science industry to focus on developing in order to have strong investment policies.

Associate Professor, Dr. Le Thanh Bac

(Vice President of Danang University)

In 2022, Ho Chi Minh City University of Science also set aside 2 billion VND in scholarships to award to students admitted to 7 majors in the fields of natural sciences, earth sciences and marine sciences including physics, oceanography, nuclear engineering, geological engineering, geology, environmental science and environmental engineering technology.

In addition, Associate Professor, Dr. Tu, Ho Chi Minh City National University also implements scholarship programs for students and lecturers to study and teach basic sciences according to key projects for national development.

Meanwhile, starting from 2022, Hanoi National University will support students of basic science majors at the University of Natural Sciences and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, including free tuition, free accommodation, priority in scientific research and scientist incubation programs, and priority when considering other scholarships. Not to mention living expenses support of 20 million VND/school year.

The University of Education (University of Danang) has a scholarship policy called "Inspiration" with the aim of attracting talented people to study basic sciences.

Students of the Faculty of Geology, University of Natural Sciences, Ho Chi Minh City, went on a field trip at Ankroet Dam, Lac Duong, Lam Dong.

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C UPDATE AND INNOVATE TRAINING PROGRAM

To be more attractive, the training programs of basic sciences have been updated and innovated by many schools. Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Dinh Tu said: "We diversify the training directions for basic sciences to increase job opportunities for learners and connect basic sciences with other applied sciences. Implement interdisciplinary training programs between basic sciences and training programs with high demand from the labor market such as mathematics, applied mathematics, medical physics, engineering physics, etc."

The University of Education (University of Danang) has also opened new majors such as engineering physics. "At the same time, the training programs of basic science majors have been updated and improved in the spirit of "renewal" and replacement, increasing practicality, entrepreneurship, application, creativity...", Dr. Bui Bich Hanh shared.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/de-khong-phai-dong-cua-cac-nganh-khoa-hoc-co-ban-185230320231251397.htm