One of the University’s most important milestones in 2024 was the transformation of National Economics University (NEU) into a university with constituent colleges. Ahead of the New Year 2025 and the Year of the Snake, a reporter interviewed Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chair of the University Council at NEU.

Reporter: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho, could you explain the significance of the Prime Minister’s Decision to transform National Economics University into a university with constituent colleges?

On November 15, 2024, the Prime Minister issued a decision to transform NEU into a university with constituent colleges, marking a very important milestone in NEU’s development.

This transformation is also the result of an entire process through which the University has transformed its governance model to reach international standards.

With its official transition to this university model, NEU will be better positioned to continue implementing modern university governance, with greater autonomy, more extensive delegation of authority, and more effective use of resources, ultimately aiming to improve the quality of education.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chair of the University Council at National Economics University

Fewer Directly Reporting Units, Greater Autonomy

Reporter: Assoc. Prof. Bui Duc Tho, could you explain what changes have been made to NEU’s governance model and mechanisms, and what benefits they bring?

To transition to the new university model, NEU established three constituent colleges: i) the College of Economics and Public Management; ii) the College of Business; and iii) the College of Technology.

– The College of Economics and Public Management was established from the following faculties/schools: the Faculty of Economics, Faculty of Planning and Development, Faculty of Management Science, Faculty of Investment, Faculty of Environment, Climate Change and Urban Studies, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Political Theory, and Faculty of Business English.

– The College of Business was established from the Faculty of Business Administration, School of Business Administration, School of Trade and International Economics, Faculty of Insurance, Faculty of Real Estate and Natural Resource Economics, Faculty of Marketing, Faculty of Human Resource Economics and Management, and Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality.

– The College of Technology was established from the Faculty of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Information Technology, Faculty of Mathematical Economics, Faculty of Statistics, Faculty of Management Information Systems, and Faculty of Fundamental Sciences.

At the same time, the divisions within the faculties of the colleges have been abolished and are no longer part of the University’s organizational structure. Academic management functions previously within the authority and responsibility of the divisions have thus become the responsibility of the faculties. Faculty leaders may delegate authority to capable staff members to manage groups of courses. Some functions previously within the authority and responsibility of faculties have been transferred to the constituent college level.

NEU’s organizational model is still undergoing transformation. Specifically, units with similar functions and duties will be merged to form departments under the University. At the same time, the functions and duties of the University’s constituent colleges and their faculties will be reviewed and adjusted to ensure clear responsibilities and duties, avoid overlaps, and prevent gaps in which no unit is responsible for work that needs to be done.

Accordingly, the organizational structure will move toward a three-tier university management model: University (Level 1) – Colleges/Departments/Institutes (Level 2) – Faculties/Centers (Level 3).

The establishment of three constituent colleges has thus reduced the number of Level 2 units directly reporting to the University by 19. Merging units into departments will also reduce the number of Level 2 units currently operating as functional offices.

This change in organizational model helps streamline the structure and reduce the number of units reporting directly to the University that previously reported to it under the former model. This provides the foundation for more effective university governance. At the same time, reorganizing the governance structure will also help put new mechanisms into operation, with more extensive delegation of autonomy and greater dynamism and initiative among units. NEU’s constituent colleges will enjoy a degree of independence that the former faculty-level model did not offer. This relative independence will give the colleges greater motivation and responsibility to advance and demonstrate their contributions to the University’s development.

National Economics University receives an international quality accreditation certificate from the accreditation organization FIBAA

Another benefit of the organizational transformation to the new NEU model is the reduction of fragmentation and parochialism among divisions. Previously, the divisions were like small plots of land, with faculty and staff focusing on tending their own division. Now, perspectives have broadened: there are no longer small plots, and lecturers will see shared interests on a larger scale. This is also an important prerequisite for reducing duplication among courses offered by different divisions. Lecturers will no longer have to cover many courses; instead, they will focus in depth on a small number of assigned courses. This change will directly contribute to improving the quality of teaching and education at NEU.

Preserving and Building on Historical and Cultural Values

Reporter: Assoc. Prof. Bui Duc Tho, could you describe the difficulties and obstacles in the transition to the new NEU model, and how they will be addressed and overcome?

NEU has a rich history of 68 years of establishment and development, with many cherished cultural values. The University’s historical and cultural values are precious assets that foster pride in NEU. In addition, NEU is a large institution with more than 1,000 faculty and staff members and more than 40,000 students. These very factors have shaped NEU’s strength, image, and brand. However, they also create inertia within the system when change is required. The transition to the new university model is not a revolution to be achieved at any cost. Throughout the transition, we must ensure that the historical and cultural values cultivated by generations of NEU teachers and students are preserved and enhanced. At the same time, we must meet the requirements for a systematic approach to the organization and operation of modern university governance. The multiple objectives set for the transition have meant that it requires a longer timeline.

Therefore, although the new NEU model has now been officially approved, the transition will continue in terms of both organizational structure and operating rules and mechanisms. The current difficulty is thus that the organizational structure has not yet been optimized, while some aspects of the rules and mechanisms remain unclear and do not yet meet the requirements for a systematic approach to organization and operations.

NEU organizes admissions counseling for applicants annually

In the coming period, NEU will continue to accelerate the transition toward a modern, effective university governance model that places the quality of education, research, and community service first. Under the timeline, the restructuring of the University’s organizational structure and the revision of its university governance operating regulations will be completed by the end of March 2025. The job position plan and the salary plan based on the 3P model (Position, Person, Performance) will also be updated and adjusted to meet university governance requirements.

Thank you, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chair of the University Council at NEU.

Source: Tien Phong Newspaper

This is an automated translation. If you notice any errors, please contact the Department of Communications, National Economics University at phongtruyenthong@neu.edu.vn.