The development strategy of National Economics University (NEU) sets the goal of placing the University among Asia’s top 100 universities in economics, management, and business administration by 2030 according to international ranking standards and achieving high positions in international rankings.

In 2024, NEU transitioned from a single university to a university comprising constituent colleges under a Government decision. How, then, does the University envision its development in the digital age and the era of the nation’s rise? At the beginning of the Year of the Wood Snake, a reporter from Dai Bieu Nhan Dan newspaper spoke with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong, Vice President of NEU, about this issue.

A Fully Autonomous University Pioneering Digital Transformation

Reporter: The Government recently issued a decision to transform NEU from a single university into a university comprising constituent colleges. This is a major change for the University. Could you share the objectives of this transition and the University’s plans and strategies for implementing this multidisciplinary university model in the coming years?

NEU has long pursued the goal of becoming a university comprising constituent colleges. This is reflected in the University’s brand identity. We aspire to achieve a standing commensurate with the responsibilities entrusted to us by the Party and the State and the public’s trust in the University.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong, Vice President of NEU

The purpose of this transition is to put NEU’s development strategy into practice so that it can fulfill its mission: to pioneer innovation and the development and dissemination of knowledge in economics, management, and business administration; attract and nurture talent; provide high-quality human resources to serve the country’s sustainable development; educate Vietnam’s foremost leaders and entrepreneurs; and serve as a center of research excellence, proposing guidelines and policies for the country’s socioeconomic development and advising localities, organizations, and businesses on solutions.

The University’s strategy aims for NEU to become a fully autonomous university by 2030, pioneering digital transformation, operating a modern, smart, and professional governance system, and holding high positions in international rankings.

Reporter: One of the important factors in becoming a multidisciplinary university is the ability to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and create interdisciplinary academic programs. What plans does NEU have to develop an interdisciplinary education model that helps students develop diverse skills and the ability to solve practical problems?

In fact, NEU already offers education across multiple disciplines and fields. The University currently offers programs in 16 groups of disciplines across 11 different fields. These include many interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary academic programs taught entirely in English, such as Digital Business, Business Analytics, Financial Technology, Actuarial Science and Risk Management; Information Technology and Digital Transformation; and others. In 2024, NEU designed and developed five technology disciplines: Data Science; Artificial Intelligence; Software Engineering; Information Systems; and Information Security.

With three newly established colleges—the College of Economics and Public Management, the College of Business, and the College of Technology—NEU will continue to build on its strengths in existing disciplines while gradually expanding into new interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary fields and disciplines. NEU has been vigorously developing its information technology disciplines, focusing on digital transformation and the application of big data and artificial intelligence in management, economics, and business administration, laying the foundation for becoming a leading education and research center in this field.

With a dynamic and friendly learning and research environment, NEU ensures that lecturers and learners have the freedom to be creative and develop their thinking, putting into practice its educational philosophy: “Creating smart pathways for everyone to become the best version of themselves and bring value to the community.”

An Additional 21 Academic Programs to Be Accredited Under FIBAA Standards in 2025

Reporter: Quality accreditation in higher education is an important factor in enhancing a university’s reputation. Which international accreditation programs is NEU currently participating in? And what are the University’s accreditation goals?

Quality accreditation plays an important role in enhancing a university’s reputation and the quality of its education. NEU has actively pursued quality accreditation under the standards of reputable international organizations to affirm its standing and its commitment to society regarding educational quality.

The year 2024 marked an important milestone for NEU as it received accreditation from the education quality accreditation organization FIBAA, with 100% of criteria met or exceeded. By meeting the standards of a leading accreditation organization in Europe, NEU not only affirmed the quality of its education domestically but also demonstrated that Vietnam’s higher education is keeping pace with international integration. In addition, NEU has joined a network of universities worldwide pursuing quality accreditation under the standards of the U.S.-based AACSB. This is one of the world’s most reputable quality accreditation organizations for business schools.

NEU awards degrees to outstanding new master’s graduates in 2024

In academic program quality accreditation, NEU is a pioneering public higher education institution in pursuing accreditation under international standards. In 2017, NEU became a member of the U.S.-based accreditation organization ACBSP. By the end of 2024, 20 academic programs had been accredited by this organization, the highest number among universities specializing in economics and business administration in Vietnam.

Alongside academic program quality accreditation under ACBSP standards, NEU also pursues quality accreditation under FIBAA standards. By September 2024, FIBAA had accredited 15 academic programs. In 2025, an additional 21 academic programs are expected to complete the accreditation process and meet FIBAA quality standards.

These institutional and academic program quality accreditation results affirm NEU’s position as a pioneering higher education institution in Vietnam in educational quality accreditation under the standards of international quality accreditation organizations.

NEU’s development strategy sets the goal of placing the University among Asia’s top 100 universities in economics, management, and business administration by 2030 according to international ranking standards. Under the methodologies of the world’s leading reputable university ranking organizations, higher education institutions seeking high rankings must not only ensure comprehensive development but also establish a leadership position within the university community.

Maintaining Its Position as a Key University and One of the Country’s Leading Universities

Reporter: As it becomes a multidisciplinary university, NEU will certainly face competition from universities at home and abroad. In your view, how can the University retain its distinctiveness and develop sustainably in this fiercely competitive environment?

To maintain its position as a key, leading university in a fiercely competitive environment as it becomes a university spanning multiple disciplines and fields, NEU is focusing on the following core development priorities:

First, building on its 70-year tradition of development, the University will continue to concentrate resources on education in its areas of strength while pioneering the development of academic programs that lead the fields of economics, management, and business administration. It will also develop interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary academic programs, as well as new academic programs that meet society’s needs.

Second, the University will substantially reform how it organizes education and its teaching methods by making full use of technology and supporting software; further improve the quality of its lecturers through training, recruitment, and the development of a faculty meeting international standards; and enable lecturers to conduct research and teach at higher education institutions abroad.

Third, advance digital transformation and innovation by investing in digital transformation and applying information technology in governance, teaching, and research, with the aim of building a smart university. In the spirit of the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024, on breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, NEU will explore establishing innovation and entrepreneurship centers, encourage applied research, and move toward commercializing scientific products.

Fourth, promote the internationalization of education by expanding cooperation with reputable universities worldwide to offer joint programs, facilitate lecturer and student exchanges, and jointly publish research. Continue to pursue international quality accreditation through bodies such as AACSB, ACBSP, and FIBAA, and participate in the QS and THE university rankings to attract foreign students and lecturers.

Fifth, innovate university governance by continuing to refine the university model spanning multiple disciplines and fields to suit the new context, and strengthen transparent, effective governance through the application of new technologies.

With these priorities, I believe NEU will not only continue to affirm the quality of its education domestically but also gradually establish its standing internationally, while ensuring sustainable development over the long term.

Thank you, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong!

Source: Dai Bieu Nhan Dan 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.