The special highlight in the speech is 7 key tasks, deployed with 15 "right" words. These are considered as 15 action orders, 15 reminders of national responsibility, 15 measures for Hanoi National University to reflect on itself, innovate itself and rise up worthy of the two words "national".
When the General Secretary and President emphasized that Hanoi National University "must always look at itself in national responsibility", "must rise up", "must be a place that dares to go ahead", "must be a pioneer", "must become a center connecting knowledge with development", "must become a bag of wisdom", "must contribute to spreading Vietnam's soft power", that is the transformation from traditional pride to the requirement of specific actions in the present and future.
First of all, those 15 "must" put Hanoi National University in its right position: surpassing the level of a university training institution to become a national knowledge institution. The two words "national" must be a commitment to the mission of serving the country.
Associated with the mission of serving the country, it is necessary to answer major national-level questions: What human resources does Vietnam need to enter the digital age? How do we need to master core technology? How do we build Vietnamese intellectual bravery? How do we need to bring knowledge from lecture halls and laboratories into policies, businesses and life?
Hanoi National University needs to be ready and act realistically to answer the above questions.
Another very noteworthy point is the requirement "must be a place that dares to go ahead, dares to experiment and open the way". This is a very new and very necessary thinking for higher education. The word "must" here is therefore the word "must" of breakthrough. Hanoi National University must become a place to verify new models, a place to provide a practical basis for the Party and State to improve development policies.
Among the 7 key tasks, the requirement that Hanoi National University "must be a pioneer in implementing the Party's strategic resolutions" is of particular significance. Because this is the time when the Party's major policies need to be transformed into specific action programs. Fields such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, biotechnology, new materials, new energy, big data, green and sustainable technology are not only scientific trends, but also strategic competition spaces between countries. Without strong university centers, without a large team of scientists, without outstanding students trained in a top-notch environment, Vietnam will find it very difficult to master source technology and improve its resilience.
To contribute to solving the major problems of the country, the requirement for Hanoi National University to "become a center connecting knowledge with development" is a very suitable requirement for reality. Universities must connect with the State to provide scientific arguments for policy decisions; connect with businesses to develop technology, human resources, and new business models; connect with localities to solve specific development issues; connect with society to strengthen confidence in the power of education, science and knowledge in Vietnam.
The General Secretary and President also used very vivid images when requesting Hanoi National University to become a "smart bag" for the State to find when scientific arguments are needed for strategic decisions. This is a big expectation. "Smart bag" is not only a place with many experts, but also a place with the ability to advise on policies based on evidence, have the courage to scientifically criticize, and have the ability to forecast development trends and propose strategic solutions.
From a broader perspective, the 7 tasks with 15 "rights" in the speech of General Secretary and President To Lam are not only for Hanoi National University but also a message sent to the entire Vietnamese higher education system: it is time not to be slow, not to be content, not to follow the beaten path but to have a breakthrough with determination and strong action. If all universities today simultaneously "must reflect themselves in national responsibility and national aspirations", "must rise up strongly", "must become "smart bags"... then Vietnam's intellectual strength will quickly reach new heights for Vietnam to make great strides on the journey to rise to the group of developed countries in the future.
