Universities seek new directions

THE RATE OF STUDYING ABROAD ACCORDING TO THE PROJECT IS ONLY 32%

Following the previous projects on doctoral training for higher education institutions using the state budget, the Government continued to approve the Project "Improving the capacity of lecturers and managers of higher education institutions to meet the requirements of comprehensive fundamental innovation in education and training in the period 2019 - 2030" (Project 89) in 2019. The goal of the project is to have about 7,300 lecturers trained at doctoral level by 2030. However, currently the number of lecturers sent by training institutions to participate in this project is very low compared to the assigned target.

Currently, many university lecturers study abroad mainly with scholarships from foreign schools and institutes.

The specific objective of Project 89 is to train about 10% of university lecturers with doctoral degrees; of which 7% are trained full-time abroad, 3% domestically and in collaboration with foreign universities. To achieve the above objective, in about 10 years, it is necessary to train about 7,300 lecturers with doctoral degrees and over 300 lecturers in the fields of culture, arts and physical education and sports with master's degrees.

However, according to statistics from the Ministry of Education and Training, the number of university lecturers participating in this project in the past two years has been lower than the set target. Specifically, in 2022, the total training target was 766 people in the country and 251 abroad, but the implementation results were only 24% in the country and 32% abroad (only 80 people studied abroad). In 2023, the total training target was 319 people in the country and 202 people abroad, but the implementation capacity based on the number of people who attended school and the schools reported was only about 37% in the country and 64% abroad. According to the representative of the Department of Higher Education, the implementation of Project 89 is being delayed, schools have implemented very little compared to the assigned target according to the initial registration or commitment number.

THERE ARE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR DOCTORAL STUDIES THROUGH COOPERATION UP TO 95%

From the university's reality, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Xuan Hoan, Chairman of the University Council of Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade, said that the school has teachers who study using the state budget under Project 911. Most of the school's teachers who study for a doctorate abroad are on diplomatic scholarships through the school's international cooperation with partner schools. This source of study accounts for 95% of the total number of teachers studying abroad for many reasons. Specifically, the school does not incur training costs, students do not have to pay tuition fees but also receive scholarships and living expenses, while the partner school also benefits through scientific research projects and international cooperation between the two schools.

"Meanwhile, studying with state budget scholarships has too many constraints and few options. Each country only limits the number of scholarships while teachers have their own wishes regarding the choice of country, university, and even specific instructor. Therefore, few options for studying are the main bottleneck when participating in state budget programs," Associate Professor Hoan said.

Dr. Pham Nguyen Huy Phuong, Deputy Head of the Department of Organization and Administration, Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade, defended his doctoral thesis at the Technical University of Ostrava (Czech Republic), on a diplomatic scholarship from the school.

Preliminary statistics from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology also show that in 2022, out of 30-40 people studying abroad, only about 10% will go with the state budget. Of which, Project 89 currently has a few participants. "Currently, through the school's partnership, lecturers can easily get scholarships to study at foreign schools," said Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thien Phuc, Vice Principal of the school.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Hoang Tu Anh, Principal of the University of Information Technology, Ho Chi Minh City, said that currently, the university's teachers study abroad mainly with scholarships from schools and institutes, because the procedures are simple, the scholarships are high, and there is no requirement to return to work for the school immediately after graduation. A trend of many teachers after graduating from a doctoral program is to continue to apply for postdoctoral scholarships.

Studying for a doctorate is considered a duty of a teacher. Therefore, teachers who study or work at the school are paid 100% of their income and receive the same rewards. Thanks to this, teachers can rest assured to study to improve their qualifications and when they return, they will not be willing to leave the school to go elsewhere.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Xuan Hoan, Chairman of the University Council, Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade

WHICH SOLUTION REALLY WORKS?

Although accounting for a small proportion, according to university representatives, the state-funded study abroad program still plays an important role in fostering the qualifications of teaching staff at training institutions.

Having participated in the first course of Project 322, Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Thien Phuc said: "Although there are many sources of scholarships for studying abroad, state investment plays an important role. This is a very good opportunity for teachers to participate in advanced training and most of the students return to work."

For the program to be implemented effectively, Associate Professor, Dr. Phuc said that the problem lies in the way of binding the students to return. Legally, the direct management agency must have close and regular supervision of the students sent to study. Mr. Phuc said that the Ministry of Education and Training's assignment of tasks to the work agency of the students sent to study is reasonable. After each semester, the teachers who go to study must send a report on their study progress to the school, so that the school can immediately grasp any interruptions.

"Moreover, the necessary bond is also spiritual, specifically the university's greater attention to the person sent to study. The most important thing is to choose candidates with at least 5-7 years of working experience at the school to have more attachment to the workplace," Associate Professor Phuc suggested.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Xuan Hoan said: "From the experience of many schools and teachers, a good student policy is the most important factor for students to feel secure in completing their studies and to retain students when they return to school."

Foreign scholarship programs sought by schools and lecturers themselves are often high-level and have few constraints.

Sharing the school's approach, Associate Professor Hoan said that regardless of the program they study under, including state budget, teachers are still paid full income as if they were working at the school during their entire time studying. "Studying for a PhD is considered a teacher's duty. Therefore, teachers who study or work at the school are paid 100% of their income and receive the same rewards. Thanks to that, teachers can rest assured to study to improve their qualifications and when they return, they will not be willing to leave the school to go elsewhere," said Mr. Hoan.

According to Mr. Hoan, in addition to paying income, the school also has "hard" commitments to those sent to study. For example, after studying, they must work for the school for at least 5 years, report their study progress each semester to the school, otherwise their income will be cut. In addition, on holidays, students are responsible for coming to school to participate in activities such as seminars or online teaching...

Proposing more about this policy, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Hoang Tu Anh said that the procedures need to be simpler but the process needs to be more effective to better monitor students. In addition, there needs to be attention from the Vietnamese Consulate in the host country to monitor and support students when they encounter difficulties. "Providing scholarships and sufficient living expenses on time for students is also necessary. At some times, the transfer of money to students is slow, causing difficulties in daily life," Associate Professor Anh added.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/nhieu-giang-vien-du-hoc-bang-ngan-sach-khong-quay-ve-truong-dh-tim-huong-di-moi-185231009215204337.htm