Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà spoke at a meeting with the leaders of the two national universities held in HCM City on September 6. — VNS Photo Nguyễn Diệp

HCM CITY — Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà said Việt Nam National University-Hà Nội and Việt Nam National University-HCM City need more favourable legal policies and mechanisms to enable them to develop in a more comprehensive way.

Hà led a delegation and had a working session with the two national university leaders on September 6 in HCM City.

He said the model of the two national universities has been operating for 30 years. Therefore, they need to summarise what has been done and where there are still problems.

He asked the two universities to have fresh thinking to promote their achievements and pioneer innovation.

Therefore, the sector needs to review its thinking in the context of a changing world. Education and training should meet the country’s goals, political tasks and expectations.

“I hope that the national university model in the future is not only two universities but can add many national universities with the goal of leading different regions in human resource training,” he said.

The chancellors of the two national universities jointly proposed that the Government should issue a separate decree in the direction of increasing autonomy and self-responsibility.

Up to now, they still exercise the same autonomy as other universities.

A separate decree is necessary to clarify the degree of autonomy, organisational structure and other specific mechanisms.

Previously, they had repeatedly suggested that the national university should develop and promulgate its own training regulations, according to international standards; have its own financial mechanism to release resources; pilot new training disciplines outside the prescribed list in order to meet social needs.

In addition, national universities should be given the right to experiment with new policies, helping the development of higher education.

Agreeing with the recommendations of the two national universities, Huỳnh Thành Đạt, Minister of Science and Technology, expects Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà to give direction because without a decree, it is impossible to issue a decision on organisational structure and operating regulations.

“If the Government focuses on investing, I believe the two national universities will develop dramatically in the near future,” he said.

Another issue that the two universities proposed together was regulations on emulation titles, emulation flags and certificates of merit at the national university level.

They expect this to be recognised at the ministerial level, which is consulted when considering higher rewards.

Vũ Hải Quân, chancellor of the Việt Nam National University-HCM City, gives his opinions at the meeting in HCM City on September 6. — VNS Photo Nguyễn Diệp

Vũ Hải Quân, chancellor of Việt Nam National University-HCM City (VNU-HCM), said the Deputy Prime Minister should direct relevant ministries and localities to implement the draft development project of VNU-HCM.

“This is an important orientation for VNU-HCM to continuously carry out national strategic tasks and develop the country’s regions,” he said.

He suggested that VNU-HCM appraise and approve a detailed plan of component projects under its management. “If this can be done, the disbursement of development investment capital will be accelerated," he said.

“According to current regulations, the two national universities are not government agencies, but their operations are treated as such. If they can be opened up, the two national universities will develop more quickly,” he added.

Hà Nội-based National University’s chancellor Lê Quân asked the Government to help speed up the process of site clearance and construction of the Việt Nam National University-Hà Nội campus in Hòa Lạc, which is still slow.

This year, the Hòa Lạc campus will welcome about 6,000 students from eight schools and faculties, triple that of last year.

The Việt Nam National University-Hà Nội and VNU-HCM were established in 1993 and 1995, respectively, with a total training scale of more than 150,000 students.

Currently, the two national universities are in the top 1,000 of universities in the world by the UK educational organisation Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) ranking.

They are carrying out core missions in the country's higher education system, and pioneering to make breakthroughs in scientific research and in serving the community.

Việt Nam National University-Hà Nội has 12 affiliated schools and faculties, aiming to be in the top 100 in Asia by 2025 and top 500 in the world.

VNU-HCM has six member universities, two schools, one institute and a branch campus in Bến Tre, which is expected to be in the top 100 in Asia by 2030. — VNS