Challenges and the capabilities of lecturers in the new era

(Dong Nai) - In the process of educational reform, Resolution 71-NQ/TW dated August 22, 2025, of the Politburo has set out a "double breakthrough" approach: not only stopping at internal reform as in the spirit of Resolution 29-NQ/TW dated November 4, 2013, of the Central Committee of the Party, but also emphasizing the renewal of thinking, awareness, and institutions.

The novelty here lies in the creation of an open, flexible, and interconnected institution, in which public investment plays a leading role, initiating social participation. It is in this context that the role of lecturers becomes even more clearly recognized: They are both direct creators of knowledge and bridges connecting major policy directions to practical training, preparing the country for a new generation of citizens – knowledgeable, skilled, and with a desire to contribute.

General Secretary To Lam and outstanding students. Photo: Ministry of Education and Training

Knowledge - the foundation for building the future.

The teaching profession is, first and foremost, a knowledge-based profession. University lecturers are considered "living repositories of knowledge": they teach, conduct research, transfer technology, and provide academic guidance to students. Degrees and professional qualifications are necessary, but never sufficient. A lecturer's knowledge should not be limited to textbooks but must always be up-to-date, connected to social realities, and to the ever-changing science and technology .

An automotive lecturer cannot ignore the developments in electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, or hydrogen fuel cells. An economics lecturer must understand and incorporate new trends such as e-commerce, the digital economy, and green transition into their lectures. And a medical lecturer would find it difficult to fulfill their duties without keeping up with advances in biotechnology or next-generation pharmaceuticals.

This knowledge demands humility, a willingness to learn, and a spirit of lifelong learning. A true teacher must "learn before teaching, and learn alongside teaching," so that each class session is not only about imparting knowledge but also about sharing experiences and guiding students into the vast world of academia.

Skills - the key to transforming knowledge into value.

Profound knowledge will be difficult to fully utilize without pedagogical skills. A lecturer's skills include not only lecturing, but also the ability to inspire, listen, manage the classroom, conduct scientific research, and adapt to change.

A monotonous lecture can easily tire students out. However, the same content, if conveyed in familiar language, linked to real-life situations, combined with interactive teaching methods and the application of technology, will become lively, easy to remember, and deeply ingrained in the learners.

Pharmacy students during a practical session. (Photo: Archival image)

In the digital age, lecturers must also master online platforms, simulation software, artificial intelligence tools, and know how to encourage active student participation. Beyond the classroom, skills in networking with businesses, conducting research, and expanding international collaboration are also indispensable. Today's lecturers not only teach theory but also need to connect students with real-world professional environments – becoming a bridge between "academics" and "life."

The enduring value of the profession

Students and young lecturers of the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City during a scientific research session. Photo: nhandan.vn

If knowledge and skills are the "backbone" of the teaching profession, then compassion is the "soul." A lecturer may be highly skilled in their field, but without empathy, attentiveness, and dedication to their students, it will be difficult to instill confidence and ignite aspirations in them.

University professors are not only educators but also companions, mentors, and sometimes even "second parents." They share students' career concerns, support them when they stumble, and guide them at life's crossroads. This is a kind of "teacher-student bond" that time and technology cannot replace. This dedication is also intertwined with social responsibility: strict yet humane in evaluation; principled but not distant; simultaneously imparting knowledge and nurturing dreams. These are the qualities that create the lasting value of the profession.

The social role of the teaching profession

Many universities are implementing solutions to attract talented lecturers in order to improve the quality of education and international integration. (Photo: nhandan.vn)

In the context of educational integration and reform, the teaching profession faces numerous challenges, with an increasingly heavy workload: teaching, research, international publications, project participation, and methodological innovation. Furthermore, the new generation of students is more dynamic and practical, but also easily distracted by technology, requiring lecturers to constantly innovate and keep pace with the learners' mindset.

Many young lecturers face difficulties regarding income and the pressure of professional competition. But it is precisely in these challenges that their love for the profession and sense of responsibility are forged, proving the character of dedicated teachers.

The teaching profession is not limited to the classroom; lecturers are directly involved in training high-quality human resources – a decisive factor in the nation's development. A generation of mature, creative, and socially responsible students is the silent achievement of those hours spent teaching.

Furthermore, lecturers serve as a bridge between academic knowledge and community life. Their scientific research, technological innovations, and socio-economic solutions not only contribute to academic development but also directly serve the nation-building process. In the era of globalization, lecturers also represent the image of Vietnamese education internationally through cooperation programs, academic exchanges, and teaching foreign students.

A true lecturer is someone who knows how to harmonize all three elements, so that each class session is not just a lesson, but also a journey of instilling faith, inspiring dreams, and nurturing character in the younger generation. Society may change, technology may develop, but the core values ​​of the teaching profession – knowledge, skills, and compassion – will endure forever.

Tu Huu Cong

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/xa-hoi/202509/thach-thuc-va-ban-linh-nguoi-giang-vien-trong-thoi-dai-moi-a7c189c/