29/01/2025 01:25:00

Assoc. Prof. Bui Duc Tho – Renewing National Economics University’s autonomous governance model in a new context

One of the University’s most important milestones in 2024 was the transition of National Economics University (NEU) to a new university model. Ahead of the New Year 2025 and the Lunar New Year of the Snake, a reporter interviewed Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chair of the NEU University Council.

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

On November 15, 2024, the Prime Minister issued a Decision to transition NEU to the new university model, marking a very important milestone in NEU’s development.

NEU’s transition to the new university model is also the outcome of an entire process of transforming its governance model to reach international standards.

With its official transition to the new university model, NEU will be better positioned to continue implementing modern university governance mechanisms, with greater autonomy, deeper decentralization 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 Units, Greater Autonomy

Reporter: 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 responsibilities will be merged to form departments under the University. At the same time, the functions and responsibilities of the University’s constituent colleges and their faculties will be reviewed and adjusted to ensure clear roles and responsibilities, avoid overlap, and ensure that no necessary work is left without a responsible unit.

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).

Thus, the establishment of three constituent colleges has reduced the number of the University’s second-tier units by 19. Merging units into departments will also reduce the number of second-tier units that currently operate as functional offices.

This change in organizational model helps streamline the structure and reduce the number of units reporting directly to the University, which previously reported to it under the former university model. This provides the foundation for improving the effectiveness of university governance. At the same time, reorganizing the governance structure will help put new mechanisms into operation, with autonomy delegated more deeply and greater scope for units to demonstrate dynamism and initiative. NEU’s constituent colleges will have a degree of independence that the previous 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 restructuring the organization for NEU’s transition to the new university model is reducing fragmentation and narrow departmental interests among divisions. Previously, divisions resembled small plots of land, with faculty and staff in each division focusing on tending their own plot. Now, the perspective is broader: lecturers no longer focus on small plots but 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 teach numerous courses; instead, they will concentrate more deeply on the small number of courses assigned to them. This change will directly contribute to improving the quality of teaching and education at NEU.

Preserving and Building on Historical and Cultural Values

Reporter: Could you describe the difficulties and obstacles in NEU’s transition to the new university model, and how they can be addressed and overcome?

Fewer Units, Greater Autonomy

NEU has a rich history spanning 68 years of 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 and over 40,000 students. These factors have shaped NEU’s strength, image and brand. However, these same factors also create institutional inertia in the face of demands for change. The transition to the new university model is not a revolution to be achieved at any cost. Throughout the transition, we must preserve and build on the historical and cultural values cultivated by generations of NEU teachers and students. At the same time, we must ensure a systematic approach to the organization and operation of modern university governance. These multiple objectives mean that the transition requires a longer timeline.

Therefore, although NEU’s new university model has now been officially approved, the transition will continue in terms of both organizational structure and the institutional framework for operations. The current difficulties are that the organizational structure has not yet been optimized, while some aspects of the institutional framework remain unclear and do not yet meet the requirements for a systematic approach to organization and operations.

NEU organizes admissions counseling activities for prospective students annually

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

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

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