CELEBRATING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GOVERNMENT'S PROMULGATION OF THE DECREE ON VNU’s ESTABLISHMENT AND ITS 117 YEARS OF TRADITION

On December 10, 2023, VNU solemnly celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Government's promulgation of the Decree on its establishment (1993 – 2023) and 117 years of tradition (1906 – 2023) – a significant event both nationally and internationally.

VNU was honoured with the First Class Labour Order

On this occasion, Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong sent a letter of congratulations to VNU. On behalf of the leaders of the Party and the State and with personal feelings, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong congratulated and highly appreciated VNU for its achievements in recent years, especially since the relocation of VNU’s headquarters to the new campus in Hoa Lac. He wrote, “After 30 years of building and development, VNU has continuously strived and accomplished many outstanding achievements, becoming a large multidisciplinary higher education training and research centre with a particularly important position in the country, playing a leading role in the Vietnamese higher education system”.

After 30 years of promoting autonomy and high self-responsibility, VNU has gained eminent achievements and is making tireless efforts to adapt to the new context. Notably, through practice, the National University model has affirmed the superiority of the multi-disciplinary, multi-sectoral university model operating under an autonomous mechanism. This model helps the national universities test new policies and regulations, which greatly benefits the development of the country's higher education system.

Based on the experiments by the two national universities, many regulations applicable specifically to national universities, such as training specialized students and talents, innovation and autonomy enrollment, accreditation and assurance of educational quality, international joint training and integration, etc. were being applied to other educational institutions in Vietnam.

Addressing the celebration ceremony, VNU President Le Quan emphasized that with its glorious tradition, team of leading scientists, outstanding efforts of generations of lecturers and students; the special attention of the Party and the State; the cooperation and support of the Government and ministries; and with high autonomy, VNU has always been a pioneer in training talents for the country, proposing and piloting the higher education innovation, and playing the central role of a flagship in Vietnam higher education.

The past 30 years of growth and development is the journey of perseverance in innovating, striving for outstanding development, becoming a leading university in Vietnam higher education, as well as affirming its international position.

VNU presented flowers to show gratitude to generations of leaders

In 2023, many activities aiming at the 30th anniversary of the Government's promulgation of the Decree on VNU’s establishment, such as VNU Investment Promotion Conference 2023; Opening ceremony of the 2023-2024 academic year in Hoa Lac; The 2023 Annual Conference themed “Strategy for developing science, technology and innovation in Vietnam until 2030: Policy and practice” (jointly held by the Ministry of Science and Technology, VNU, Hanoi; VNU, Ho Chi Minh City; Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, and Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences); Professional, academic, cultural, art and sports events by VNU’s officials, students and alumni; Leadership Summer Camp, … were organized with the participation of the Party Committees, the administrative apparatus as well as organizations at all levels. These practical activities created a joyful and exciting atmosphere among VNU’s officials, employees, undergraduates and graduates, and brought to the whole society a multi-faceted perspective on the development path of VNU over the past 30 years in the roadmap to gradually affirm its prestige and position in the context of international integration and the 4.0 Industrial revolution.

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Government's promulgation of the Decree on its establishment and 117 years of tradition, VNU was awarded the First class Labour Order as the State’s recognition of its outstanding contributions to the nation’s construction and protection.

Within the framework of the celebration ceremony, VNU leaders awarded Medals "For the development of VNU" to 162 individuals within VNU and beyond to recognize and appreciate their outstanding contributions to the building and development of VNU over the past 30 years.

PRIME MINISTER PHAM MINH CHINH AND MANY HEADS OF STATE AND POLITICIANS PAY WORKING VISITS TO VNU

In 2023, many heads of state and politicians paid working visits to VNU and interacted with its students.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh presented VNU’s students with 5,000 trees

On April 14, 2023, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a working session with VNU and presented its students with thousands of trees. The PM acknowledged and appreciated VNU’s great efforts and determination, and congratulated VNU on its achievements over the past years with significant contributions to the country’s development and education and training, especially training high-quality human resources.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited VNU's semiconductor chip technology exhibition in VNU town in Hoa Lac

The Prime Minister asked VNU to promote its rich tradition - an invaluable asset, and the effectiveness of good lessons, valuable experiences; continue to build and strengthen a united, strong and constantly innovative team to suit new situations and circumstances in order to build VNU into a regionally and internationally significant, modern and prestigious human resource training and scientific research institution with a desire to thrive and make breakthroughs; develop comprehensively with a focus on basic sciences, specialized and high quality training oriented towards digital transformation, green economy, sustainable development in line with Vietnam's strengths and the world’s trends; and pay special attention to and increase investment in human resource development for research on integrated circuits technology in Vietnam.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide visited VNU Vietnam Japan University and interacted with its students

On January 10, 2023, former Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide visited VNU Vietnam Japan University and had a meeting with its staff, lecturers and students. Speaking at the meeting, the former Japanese Prime Minister affirmed that VNU VJU was a symbol of the friendly relationship between Japan and Vietnam, especially in training global human resources for the next generation. He said that the Japanese Government, businesses, and universities would continue to accompany and support VNU VJU in its development. He hoped that VNU leaders would continue to pay attention to, direct and support the construction of VJU’s new campus in Hoa Lac along with the issues related to special financial mechanisms for the university.

VNU President Le Quan introduced the Construction planning of VNU in Hoa Lac to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko

On April 7, 2023, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko visited VNU and met with its leaders, lecturers and students. The Russian Deputy Prime Minister expressed his delight at VNU’s experience and prestige in teaching the Russian language and long-term cooperation with many Russian universities through successful student exchange, joint training and research programs. In addition, VNU was a liaison for the organization of many historical and cultural exchange events between the two countries.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his spouse visited VNU

On June 22, 2023, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his spouse visited VNU and talked to young Vietnamese learning the Korean language during his official visit to Vietnam from June 22-24, 2023. The visit of the South Korean President to VNU was significant in that it gave impetus to the promoting of cooperation in education and training between the two countries as well as created opportunities for students of the Korean language to meet and exchange ideas about South Korea and the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and South Korea. Speaking at the meeting, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol expressed his pleasure to visit Vietnam and VNU. He remarked that VNU shared similarities with Seoul National University in training and fostering talents for each country. President Yoon Suk Yeol also expressed his impression of VNU leaders' vision. He hoped that VNU would soon complete the construction of Hoa Lac campus to match its position as a leading university in Vietnam.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between VNU and Nanyang Technological University (NTU - Singapore)

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his spouse had lunch with VNU’s staff, lecturers and students

On August 29, 2023, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, together with their spouses visited VNU, talked to and had lunch with its students during the Singaporean PM’s official visit to Vietnam from August 27-29, 2023. At the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between VNU (Hanoi), VNU (Ho Chi Minh City) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU - Singapore) on the exchange of officials, lecturers and students, and scientific research. Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong believed that the cooperation agreements between Singapore's higher education institutions and VNU was a basis for implementing training, research, staff and student exchange projects, and digital and green economy development.

On September 22, 2023, Japanese Crown Prince and Crown Princess Akishino visited VNU Vietnam Japan University (VNU VJU) and talked to its lecturers and students during their official visit to Vietnam on the occasion of the two countries marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations (21/9/1973 - 21/9/2023). The following day, Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino visited the Museum of Biology under VNU University of Science where specimens of the white goby and Onagadori, gifts from the Japanese Royal Family, are preserved.

On December 13, 2023, spouse of Vietnamese President Phan Thi Thanh Tam and spouse of the Chinese Party General Secretary and President Prof. Peng Liyuan visited VNU and talked to its students. At the meeting with the two First Ladies, VNU students shared and expressed their interest in the Chinese language, culture, cinema, costume, and the friendship between Vietnam and China through cultural exchange, academic cooperation and mutual visits, etc. Prof. Peng Liyuan expressed her impression of VNU students’ Chinese speaking ability and praised them for their diligence and intelligence. She said that language was a bridge connecting people and cultures. If Vietnamese students know Chinese, they can learn more about China; likewise, if Chinese students know Vietnamese, they can learn more about the Vietnamese culture.

PROMULGATING MANY POLICIES TO CREATE A HIGH QUALITY TRAINING AND RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT

VNU has made efforts to create a high-quality educational and scientific research environment through the issuance of a number of policies to support lecturers, researchers and attract scientists, especially highly qualified young scientists in the fields of basic science and core technology development, to work for VNU. The issued policies aimed to create a legal corridor to support VNU’s units, lecturers, staff and learners, as well as promote internal resources and nurture young scientists. This is the motivation for lecturers and scientists to enthusiastically innovate and improve the quality of teaching and scientific research, contributing to enhancing the position and academic reputation of VNU in the international arena.

VNU organized a health check for its former lecturers

Implementing the National strategy on attracting and utilizing talents to 2030, with a vision to 2050 approved by the Prime Minister, VNU issued document No. 3481/TB-DHQGHN dated September 20, 2023 on excellent scientists attracting policy. Accordingly, VNU is attracting scientists, including overseas Vietnamese and foreigners, with excellent research achievements to participate in scientific research and take on the position of strong research group leaders in VNU’s priority science and technology fields. VNU also prioritizes the use of shared facilities, equipment and funds for carrying out science and technology tasks to ensure the best environment for scientists to conduct scientific research.

In 2023, VNU also issued a number of other policies to enhance science and technology potential and promote the establishment of S&T enterprises, such as Regulations on management of VNU-level experimental production projects; Temporary guidance on establishing and developing businesses in VNU; increasing resources to serve science and technology activities; developing a VNU-level science and technology investment fund; forming an enterprise's brand fund; and promoting the use of unit funds according to the Government’s Decree 109/2022/NDCP dated December 30, 2022, among others.

The incentive policies for key research units and strong research groups, including Planning key laboratories, Guidelines on development and incentive regimes for strong research groups; Regulations on recognition, management and development of key laboratories/research centres at VNU level; Priorities for annual science and technology investment projects; Priorities for proposals of national and international tasks, cooperation tasks with businesses, etc. were also issued. Currently, VNU is effectively implementing these policies, whereby scientists are given priority development investment fund to promote laboratory development research capacity for strong research groups to implement VNU’s line of priority science and technology products and access science and technology information and databases.

In addition, VNU was implementing a number of supportive policies for scientists and learners, namely the project “Incubating young scientists at VNU up to 2025”; The scholarship support for doctoral students and post-doctoral trainees at VNU, up to 100 million VND/year for a doctoral student and 120 million VND/year for a young doctor with excellent research and international publication capability; Financial support policy for young scientists with doctoral degrees; Scholarships for students of basic sciences, among others.

Along with that, VNU continued to implement a number of breakthrough solutions to improve the quality of scientists, such as Effectively applying the solutions of the Project to develop a team of highly qualified and leading scientists; Applying the official employing mechanism, special recruitment or inviting excellent domestic and international scientists to work, take on management positions or important professional positions at VNU’s units. In addition to speeding up the processing of recruitment documents, VNU is directly attracting excellent scientists, while strongly empowering the unit heads to employ officials.

In 2022, VNU launched a healthcare project for professors working at VNU based on its medical resources and assigned VNU Hospital to be a liaison for the project implementation. After more than a year of the Project’s implementation, VNU expanded the scope of the healthcare policy to include outstanding scientists. This is one of the policies to attract, utilize, remunerate and develop highly-qualified scientists as well as to create a favourable environment for them to carry out professional activities.

The above policies have improved the working environment and contributed to reducing the risk of brain drain as well as promoting the attraction of scientific staff to work at VNU.

COMPLETING THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY UNIVERISTY TO IMPLEMENT NATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

On May 17, 2023, VNU President signed Decision No. 1717/QD-DHQGHN on receiving and reorganizing the Construction Hospital under the Ministry of Construction into VNU Medical and Pharmaceutical University Hospital – a VNU service unit and the first university hospital model in North Vietnam. In the academic environment of VNU, the university hospital model will have the opportunity to closely associate with major scientific research and training establishments, strengthen research capacity and technology transfer as well as deploy practical and hi-tech applications.

On December 12, 2023, VNU Centre for Online Education under the Institute for Educational Quality Assurance was established under VNU President’s Decision No. 4748/QD-DHQGHN. The Centre has the function of supporting lecturers on online training methods and technology; develop online training content; coordinate and promote online training services; provide enrollment support for VNU’s member units and learner support services in online training; and manage content and professional procedures on online training technology platforms.

In the past year, the Standing Committee of VNU Party Committee has approved the process and procedures for establishing and consolidating member university councils on the principle of democratic centralism, while ensuring compliance with the provisions of law, peculiarities of VNU as well as member universities.

In the trend of both breadth and depth development, with the support of relevant agencies, VNU was planning to accept Ha Tinh University as its member university. Ha Tinh University will be upgraded into a VNU research training centre in Central Vietnam for implementing science and technology programs to attract investment in socio-economic development of coastal provinces, and cooperative projects with Laos and Cambodia.

PROMOTING COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION AND OPENING NEW DEMAND-DRIVEN TRAINING PROGRAMS

In 2023, VNU implemented a number of policies to sustainably develop training in basic sciences. VNU prioritized investment to develop talent training programs; spearhead engineering and technology programs. VNU continued to expand and innovate training in Hoa Lac in the direction of comprehensive training aimed at personal qualities, knowledge, skills and physical features. The Pilot online training project was implemented in order to radically transform this training model at VNU.

VNU-specific education model for all first-year students studying in Hoa Lac is comprehensive in three aspects: Physically strong – Mentally powerful - Good at social skills. Under the comprehensive education model, the students will be trained in full competencies, including global citizenship, digital competence, adaptive capacity and innovation capacity to create momentum for their success at work and in later life. The 2023-2024 academic year was the first year when more than 700 first-year students of VNU University of Engineering and Technology began studying under the comprehensive education model at Hoa Lac campus.

Starting from the 2023-2024 academic year, VNU developed a new physical education program, which officially introduced Vietnamese Martial Arts to its teaching program. Along with that, VNU organized sports activities according to the club model for its students to develop their strengths, create excitement, and maintain regular exercise habits.

In 2023, VNU developed interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary undergraduate programs to promote the combined strengths of VNU to meet the needs of society and the requirements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. VNU also opened new training programs in Healthcare, including a pioneering training program in the system of healthcare training majors in Vietnam, contributing to the expansion of VNU's multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral training structure. A number of pioneering and spearhead undergraduate training programs were opened for the first time in Vietnam, namely Environment, Health and Safety, and Biopharmaceuticals (VNU University of Science); Transnational Cultural and Media Studies (VNU University of Languages and International Studies); Mechatronics Engineering, and Food Technology and Health (VNU Vietnam Japan University); and Creative design (VNU School of Interdisciplinary Studies).

The year 2023 was also the first year when VNU School of Interdisciplinary Studies implemented training in the field of art and creativity. This was considered the missing piece in VNU’s multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral university model after 30 years of development.

Thanks to its interdisciplinary nature and high quality training requirements, VNU is one of the pioneering institutions in Vietnam with the capacity to participate in and lead training, research and related application development activities, including integrated circuit and manufacturing technology.

Also in 2023, VNU issued an application-oriented master's training program in Local Administration. The training program aims to train local government manager human resources (especially managers at commune, ward, district or equivalent levels) to improve the capacity, quality and effective management of local resources and development processes, contributing to improving the capacity and effectiveness of the national governance system in the national integration process and sustainable development during the Fourth Industrial revolution and digital transformation.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited lecture halls of VNU in Hoa Lac

In the 2022-2023 academic year, VNU focused on improving the quality of doctoral training; expanding and improving the high-quality talent training program according to the new training regulations. The clearly stratified admission results of VNU showed the attraction of demand-driven majors as well as improvement in basic science majors enrollment. In doctoral training, international publications of Humanities doctoral students and lecturers increased in response to the requirement that international publication is a must for doctoral students to graduate according to VNU’s Doctoral Training Regulations.

In 2023, VNU implemented a Project to recruit students from the South Central and Southern regions. Specifically, VNU recruited students from South Vietnam, including the Southern and South Central provinces from Da Nang southwards, for basic sciences and new majors in response to the labour market demand. The project covers both undergraduate and postgraduate training programs of VNU’s member and affiliated training units for the targeted group of students.

VNU’S SPECIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COUNTRY’S DEVELOPMENT THROUGH ITS SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION ACTIVITIES

VNU is always at the forefront of technology development, entrepreneurship and knowledge transfer, contributing to the sustainable development of the regions and localities under partnership with VNU. In recent years, VNU has been affirming its national responsibility in Vietnam's higher education system through chairing a number of key State-level science and technology programs assigned by the Government, namely the National Project for Sustainable Development of the Northwest, the Vietnam National Gazetteer project, Basic Science Development Program in the Chemistry, Life Sciences, Earth Sciences and Marine Sciences; the project of Developing the Vietnamese Studies Learning Resource Centre, among others.

2023 Annual Conference jointly held by the Ministry of Science and Technology; Vietnam National University, Hanoi; Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City; Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology; and Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences

In 2023, VNU further promoted the strengths of cooperation with provinces in the Northwest in parallel with promoting cooperation activities with coastal provinces to promote socio-economic development in the coastal area and stronger connections with investors and businesses in key economic regions. In that process, accepting Ha Tinh University as a VNU’s member university would facilitate the promoting of research transfer associated with marine economy as well as cooperation with Laos and Cambodia.

In 2023, VNU continued to participate in developing national research programs, such as the chip and semiconductor program; hydrogen, biotechnology, medicine - pharmacy, marine science, health science, etc. In addition, VNU promoted the implementation of research and development directions for new technologies, priority technologies in accordance with the Fourth Industrial Revolution trends, while focusing resources on implementing a number of key national research programs on energy, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, biomedical electronics, among others.

Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Head of the Central Propaganda Department Nguyen Trong Nghia paid a working visit to VNU

VNU kept on prioritizing resources for implementing key national science and technology programs and actively participated in policy consulting for central agencies; proposed and coordinated a number of pilot policies to commercialize and bring research results from public investment into production and business. To date, 36 research groups have been recognized as VNU level strong research groups, playing a leading role in many scientific fields and advanced research directions in the country and the region. Under the leadership of leading scientists, VNU research groups have played an important role in individualized talent training, while promoting international publications and innovation activities. In particular, VNU scientists in a number of fields were ranked among the world’s most influential scientists and Number 1 in Vietnam.

VNU has built a planning system for science and technology organizations and has an investment plan to develop strong research organizations. VNU is one of the leading institutions in the number of scientific works in terms of both quantity and quality, with the rate of publications in the Scopus list increasing by an average of about 16%/year and accounting for about 10% of the national publications. The number of VNU’s publications in the WoS/SCOPUS list has gradually increased over time.

With its position as a leading multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral scientific research and training centre in Vietnam, VNU has provided political consultancy for the Government and central agencies (the Central Propaganda Department, Central Theoretical Council, etc.), ministries, sectors as well as planning proposals for localities; cooperated with local partners to implement science and technology tasks to serve local development needs, and transfer research results to businesses.

LISTED AMONG THE WORLD’S 70 LEADING QUALITY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, VNU STRONGLY ADVANCES IN A NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL RANKINGS

In the past year, VNU's training quality continued to be highly appreciated by society. According to the prestigious world ranking organizations such as Times Higher Education (THE) and Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), VNU was continuously the best university in Vietnam, ranked among the top 1,000 universities globally. VNU also maintained the increase in its ranked fields and enhanced scores in the Academic Reputation and Employer Reputation indexes.

In 2023, VNU featured in Group 401-600 globally with a big jump in the Quality Education Goal, ranked 70th in the THE Impact Rankings against the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

According to QS Asia University Rankings 2024, VNU was ranked 187th, featuring among the top of 22% Asia's leading higher education institutions. According to the QS AUR 2024 results, VNU has made steady progress in Employer Reputation, ranked 131st in Asia (with 34.2 points). This shows VNU’s increasing training quality, which is highly appreciated by both domestic and international labour market. In addition to the increase in Employer Reputation, VNU maintained its strength in International research network (ranked 89th in Asia with 71.9 points) and Academic Reputation (ranked 147th in Asia with 27.7 points).

In 2023, VNU featured in Group 351-400 leading universities in Asia by THE. Among the 6 ranked Vietnamese higher education institutions, VNU was the highest rated in the Teaching index (learning environment with 21.7 points).

In October, 2023, THE announced the results of the THE World University Rankings 2024 by subject. Accordingly, VNU was ranked in 8 out of the 11 ranked subject areas with an increase of two subjects compared to the 2023 ranking. Specifically, ranked for the first time, VNU’s Education was placed in Group 401 - 500 globally; Clinical and Health was placed in Group 601 - 800 globally. Besides, VNU maintained its 6 previously ranked subjects, namely Social Sciences (Group 501–600 globally); Business and Economics (Group 601 – 800 globally); Life Sciences (Group 801–1000 globally); Computer Sciences (Group 801-1000 globally); Engineering (Group 801-1000 globally); and Physical Sciences (Group 801-1000 globally).

In March 2023, according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023 (QS WUR by subject 2023), VNU maintained the same positions of its 6 key disciplines ranked by QS as in 2022. In addition, VNU’s Engineering & Technology and Natural Sciences continued to be ranked by QS with the latter ranked No. 1 in Vietnam. Among VNU’s six disciplines ranked by the QS WUR 2023, Computer Science & Information Systems remained in Group 501-550 globally and Mathematics in Group 351-400 globally; Physics & Astronomy and Business & Management Studies maintained their top positions in Vietnam.

According to Cybermetrics Labs (under the Spanish National Research Council) second Webometrics rankings of 2023, VNU ranked 671st among the world’s top 700 universities, up 87 places compared to the 2022 ranking. VNU maintained its top position among the ranked Vietnamese higher education institutions, placed 167th in Asia and 12th in Southeast Asia.

VNU'S POSITION ENHANCED THROUGH COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

In recent years, VNU has continued to pioneer in investment promotion and public-private partnership. VNU Investment Promotion Conference 2023 attracted the attention of a number of businesses and created a distinct value by promoting the role of cooperation between universities and businesses in human resources development. This was the second time the conference had been held to attract investment resources through public-private partnership (PPP).

VNU is not only a pioneer in training high-quality human resources but also aims to become an institution that finds solutions to develop with businesses and support businesses to promote and develop business activities, especially innovative ones.

To realize the innovative university model, VNU has promoted cooperation and connection activities with businesses and financial economic groups to mobilize resources from businesses and entrepreneurs to combine with VNU's resources, including renowned national and international experts and scientists, to improve training quality, promote transfer and commercialization of science and technology products.

VNU-RMIT Innovation Hub was officially launched to connect leading scientific minds and strengthen innovation collaboration between universities and businesses from Vietnam and Australia

In addition to the highly practical and meaningful funding sources received from domestic and foreign businesses, VNU proactively diversified external resources to serve its goals and mission. VNU always promotes cooperation with businesses and localities through contributing to solving socio-economic development problems of localities, such as Nam Dinh, Thai Binh, Hoa Binh, Quang Ninh, Ca Mau, Hau Giang, etc.; and domestic and foreign enterprises, namely EVN, LG Display, T&T, FSI, Gamuda Land, VNPT, VinGroup, Viettel, Vinaconex, DIC Group, Tuan Chau Group, Song Da Company 7, BRG Group, MOMO Company, South Central Region Group, Sunwah Group, IMG Group, KB Group, Truong Hai Group, Vietcombank, MB Bank, BIDV Bank, Vietinbank, etc..

VNU and Ha Tinh province signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement in education, science and technology, and implementation consultation

In 2023, VNU promoted cooperation through developing its partner network and especially, with the effective implementation of cooperation with international partners through international projects, such as VIBE, PHER, etc. In 2023, VNU also cooperated with RMIT University to launch the VNU-RMIT Innovation Hub; coordinated with SHB Bank to inaugurate the Financial Practice Centre - SHB Bank - VNU, among others.

HOALAC-BASED VNU TOWN IS THRIVING 

VNU is changing strongly into a smart and green university, synchronous in terms of facilities, modern in equipment, and yet to be completed into a “5-in-1” model to raise VNU’s status in its new stage of development. VNU has provided necessary facilities and equipment for about 6,000 students to study and research from the 2023-2024 academic year, bringing more vitality to Hoa Lac neighbourhood. In addition to the HT1 and HT2 lecture hall complexes (in operation since 2022) in Hoa Lac, VNU is completing the QG-HN04 lecture hall complex to meet the learning needs of a rapidly increasing number of students.

QG-HN04 lecture hall and dormitory complex in VNU Town in Hoa Lac

The 2023-2024 academic year began in a special context with nearly 30 VNU’s members and affiliated units currently working in VNU town in Hoa Lac just one year after the relocation of VNU headquarters to Hoa Lac. In addition, many activities and events with the participation of thousands of people have been held in Hoa Lac.

Along with that, VNU actively promoted digital transformation, digital technology application, associated with advanced university governance innovation, forming a safe, synchronous, and connected digital environment throughout the inner city and the new facility in Hoa Lac. In particular, on March 8, 2023, VNU issued Decision No. 688/QD-DHQGHN on promulgating VNU town ICT Infrastructure Framework in Hoa Lac, version 1.0. VNU has built an Action Framework with the following components: Urban landscape framework; Urban activity framework - Knowledge Economy - Higher Education and the Information Technology and Telecommunications (ICT) Infrastructure Framework, all aimed at reorganizing the overall space to attract investment in accordance with the market economy; connecting the overall development space with urban activities to control the process of forming and operating the urban activities of knowledge economy space - university - public zone and housing for students and lecturers; connecting to the nearby urban and industrial subdivisions, and Hoa Lac town of Hanoi, etc.

VNU was assigned the task of pioneering public-private partnership (PPP) with utility projects, conference centres, hospitals, technology trading centres, pharmaceutical trading centres; culture arts and sport centres, etc. VNU President issued Decision No. 2905/QD-DHQGHN dated August 9, 2023 on promulgating the provisional guidance on implementing public-private partnership project investment procedures at VNU. The document clearly shows transparency and publicity in the process of PPP project implementation at VNU and its wish to promote this form of investment. Therefore, the guidance is expected to give VNU’s units and individuals more confidence in implementing their assigned tasks in accordance with the law when participating in VNU’s PPP project; and to be convenient for investors, other organizations and individuals in getting relevant information on PPP project investment at VNU to speed up the construction of VNU town in Hoa Lac.

INDIVIDUALS AND TEAMS HONOURED

In 2023, the Research.com portal announced the ranking results of world scientists with excellent achievements in scientific publications in 2023. Accordingly, four VNU’s scientists continued to lead Vietnam in 3 fields, namely Prof.Dr.Sc Nguyen Dinh Duc - Engineering and Technology, Prof.Dr. Pham Hung Viet and Assoc.Prof.Dr. Tu Binh Minh - Environmental Sciences; and Assoc.Prof.Dr. Le Hoang Son – Computer Science.

In the 2022–2023 academic year, students from VNU HUS High School for Gifted Students continued to attain good achievements in regional and international Olympiads. They won 4 gold medals (in Mathematics, Informatics, Physics, and Chemistry), 2 silver medals (in Informatics and Biology), and 2 bronze medals (in Informatics and Biology) at regional and international Olympiads. Notably, at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair held in the United States, the participants from VNU HUS High School for Gifted Students won a third prize in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology; students from VNU ULIS Foreign Language Specialized School won 5 prizes at the 16th Russian Language Olympiad in Vietnam; and students from VNU UEd High School of Education Sciences won 10 gold medals at the science and technology invention competition in South Korea.

As a recognition of their outstanding academic achievements, Ngo Quy Dang and Vo Hoang Hai – students from VNU HUS High School for Gifted Students, were awarded the Vietnam Outstanding Young Faces Award 2022; besides, Vo Hoang Hai was honoured with the First-class Labour Order.

VNU President Le Quan presented the “VNU Educator of the Year 2023” award

In 2023, VNU continued to consider the ongoing contributions of lecturers and scientists to training and scientific research at VNU for presenting the Educator of the Year Award.  Accordingly, 6 VNU lecturers were honoured with the award for their outstanding achievements in training and research and contributions to realizing the leading role of VNU to higher education renovation and the nation’s socio-economic development. The awardees were Assoc.Prof.Dr Nguyen Quang Huy, VNU University of Science; Assoc.Prof.Dr. Tran Thi An, VNU School of  Interdisciplinaty Studies; Dr. Ngo Thi Duyen, VNU University of Engineering and Technology; Dr. Le Xuan Hai, VNU International School; Dr. Nguyen Thu Thuy, VNU School of Interdisciplinary Studies; and Dr. Ho Thi Giang, VNU ULIS Foreign Language Specialized School. In addition, Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Quang Huy and Dr. Ho Thi Giang were conferred the title “VNU Excellent Educator of the Year 2023” with prize values of 300 million and 100 million VND, respectively, from the IMG “For the Cause of Education” Fund.

MID-TERM REVIEW CONFERENCE OF THE 6TH VNU PARTY COMMITTEE, THE 6TH VNU TRADE UNION CONGRESS AND THE 5TH VNU STUDENTS’ ASSOCIASTION CONGRESS SUCCESSFULLY ORGANIZED

On April 19, 2023, VNU held a mid-term conference to review the fulfillment of the tasks set by the 6th Congress of VNU Party Committee. During the first half of the term, the VNU Party Committee proactively and effectively implemented the guidelines and policies of the Party, the State and Hanoi Party Committee. At the same time, VNU Party Committee directed the effective implementation of many important tasks and solutions proposed by the 6th VNU Party Committee Congress for the 2020-2025 term. VNU has attained many important achievements in all fields of work; some of the targets set for the entire term have been surpassed.

On August 10, 2023, VNU held the 6th Congress of VNU Trade Union, Term  2023 – 2028, to comprehensively evaluate the implementation of the Resolution of the 5th VNU Trade Union Congress, term 2017-2023 and discuss the directions, tasks and solutions to implement the Trade Union's tasks for the 2023-2028 term. In this term, VNU Trade Union aimed to continue renovating its organization and operation for higher practicality and efficiency; actively participate in building a contingent of employees with good moral qualities and good professional skills; build a strong party committee and administration to enable VNU to meet the innovation requirements of the education sector and the whole society. The 6th Executive Committee of VNU Trade Union for the 2023 – 2028 term was elected with 15 members and Ms Nguyen Thi Thao as its Chairwoman elect.

On May 20, 2023, the 5th Congress of VNU Students’ Association, term 2023 - 2028 with the slogan "VNU Students: Bravery - Responsibility - Creativity" took place with the participation of delegates representing the belief, aspiration and will of nearly 36,000 association members. The Congress elected the 5th Executive Committee of VNU Students’ Association, term 2023-2028, consisting of 21 members with Mr Tuong Van Thuan as its Chairman elect.