Spreading motivation
The speech of General Secretary and President To Lam at the 120th Anniversary of the Traditional Day of Indochinese University - the predecessor of Vietnam National University, Hanoi - has inspired and had a great spreading power about the mission of higher education institutions for the development of the country.
Many students feel proud, and at the same time become more aware of the responsibility of the young generation before the development requirements of the country in the new period. Nguyen Thi My Tam - a 3rd-year student at the University of Law (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) expressed: "The orientations on training high-quality human resources, developing strategic technology or innovation are not only for engineering majors but also set requirements for students in social sciences.
We law students need to proactively equip ourselves with interdisciplinary knowledge, foreign language skills and integration thinking to be able to contribute to the process of policy making, protecting intellectual property rights, personal data as well as promoting an innovative environment in Vietnam".
As a student of social sciences, Nguyen Ha Minh Ngoc - a 4th-year student at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) realizes that in the context of digital transformation and strategic technology development, the role of people and social values becomes increasingly important. Fields such as artificial intelligence or big data not only need technology but also need perspectives on ethics, culture, communication and social impact.
The orientations set out will create motivation for universities to continue to innovate more strongly, and at the same time inspire students to actively study, research and contribute to the overall development of the country" - Ngoc said.
Strategic orders
According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Chi Trung - Deputy Director of the Institute of Journalism and Communication Training, University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Hanoi), the speech of General Secretary and President To Lam set out "strategic orders" for Vietnamese higher education in the new era. That is the requirement to liberate creativity, create superior academic spaces and form a new team of intellectuals capable of global competition.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Chi Trung emphasized the concept of "university education is the strategic infrastructure of the nation". Previously, the concept of infrastructure was often understood as facilities, technology or machinery, but in the current context, intelligence, brainpower and knowledge are the core foundations that determine a country's competitiveness.
To develop and rise in global competition, the nation cannot only rely on special economic zones or material resources, but must rely on the intellectual capacity and creativity of universities" - Mr. Trung assessed.
In addition, the directive also sets out the requirement to innovate the training model in an interdisciplinary direction. Modern knowledge is no longer within the boundaries of each individual industry but requires the connection between technology, artificial intelligence, data science, economy, society, environment and public policy.
Universities today not only provide narrow specialized training but must also form systematic thinking, helping learners have the ability to integrate knowledge to solve complex social problems" - Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Chi Trung said, while highly appreciating the message about narrowing the gap between academia and practice. Accordingly, universities cannot only conduct simple research but need to accompany the breath of life, economy and development of the country. This requires a closer linkage model between schools, businesses and the commercialization of research products.
Another highlight is the role of teachers in the digital age in orienting personality, arousing national spirit, sense of responsibility and aspiration to serve the country of learners.
