Higher Education: Breakthrough from Investment Mechanism

GD&TĐ- Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW is a breakthrough in identifying fundamental innovation in financial mechanisms and policies and investment in education.

Dr. Ly Thanh Tien, Head of Real Estate, Faculty of Business Administration, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH), commented: "From the perspective of a university lecturer, I think this is a correct orientation, touching the root of inherent problems and opening a new chapter for the development of Vietnamese higher education ."

Mr. Tien said that the foundation of every reform always lies in changing the mindset about how to allocate and use resources. The core of this innovation is the shift from the "subsidized" administrative management philosophy to a modern and effective management philosophy.

Dr. Ly Thanh Tien talks with reporters of Education and Times Newspaper. Photo: Phan Hai

Dr. Ly Thanh Tien believes that the policy of decisively shifting from the "subsidy allocation" mechanism to "targeted strategic investment" is the right and necessary step.

According to him, the budget allocation model based on average and spread has eliminated the motivation for competition, creating a leveling mentality. This leads to a waste of resources when capital is dispersed, while potential units do not have enough strength to break through.

The shift to “development investment” spending on education has changed the role of the State from a “giver” to a “strategic investor”. This investment aims at a clear return: high-quality human resources and economic competitiveness.

The tool to carry out this role is the “ordering” mechanism, creating a market for training and research services, where universities must compete on quality to get worthy investment.

This approach is completely consistent with the role of a "developmental state", orienting social resources towards national priority goals.

HUTECH students during an internship. Photo: Phan Hai

Dr. Tien emphasized that the spirit of Resolution 71 has given full autonomy to universities so that they can be autonomous in finance, personnel and academics. Granting full autonomy will create a positive development spiral: financial autonomy helps improve quality, good quality helps improve reputation and increase revenue, thereby having more resources for reinvestment.

"Of course, great autonomy must go hand in hand with a commensurate accountability mechanism. This is a new 'social contract', requiring universities to prove their worthiness through an effective and transparent internal governance structure, an independent quality assurance system and absolute openness to the whole society," he said.

According to Dr. Ly Thanh Tien, proactively implementing training models that are comprehensively linked with businesses is a strategic orientation that Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH) has implemented for many years.

HUTECH also builds a competency-based training program that prioritizes skills and thinking. Experts from businesses are invited to co-teach many courses. Heavy theoretical exams are replaced by learning methods through specific projects.

Dr. Tien affirmed: "The ultimate goal of these models is to produce graduates who not only have professional knowledge, but also have the ability to work effectively and think creatively as soon as they leave the classroom. This is the most practical way for education to accompany and serve the prosperous development of the country."

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/giao-duc-dai-hoc-dot-pha-tu-co-che-dau-tu-post748148.html