The University Council of National Economics University (NEU) has adopted a Resolution establishing three colleges: the College of Business, the College of Technology, and the College of Economics and Public Management. This is the first step in restructuring the University, which expects to transition to a university with constituent colleges in 2024 and aims to become a smart, digital university.

This roadmap is already being implemented, with the establishment of NEU as a university with constituent colleges expected to be completed in 2024.

A reporter from Dai bieu Nhan dan Newspaper spoke with Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong, President of NEU, about the roadmap for transitioning from a “stand-alone university” to a “university with constituent colleges,” as well as development plans for academic programs, student enrollment, and other areas as the University restructures.

The Goal of Becoming a Smart, Digital University

– Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong, NEU aims to become an autonomous university with a three-tier organizational structure, pioneering digital transformation and featuring a modern, smart, professional governance system that meets international accreditation standards, and to serve as a key university in economics. Could you share the University’s current roadmap for transitioning from a “stand-alone university” to a “university with constituent colleges”?

Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong: Recently, the NEU University Council adopted a Resolution establishing three colleges: the College of Business, the College of Technology, and the College of Economics and Public Management. This is our first step toward restructuring, and we expect to transition to a university with constituent colleges in 2024.

What matters most for NEU is not simply a change in name. We want to build the most appropriate and effective model to ensure that the University’s activities suit today’s innovation environment.

We want NEU to go beyond the designation of a “university with constituent colleges” and genuinely become a smart, digital university that offers learners the best learning environment and experiences.

We are implementing a three-tier organizational structure, with three constituent colleges under NEU and faculties within those colleges. Some traditional divisions will no longer exist, while entirely new fields of study are expected to be introduced. When students from the three constituent colleges graduate, only one institution will award their degrees: NEU.

Regarding student enrollment as we transition from a “stand-alone university” to a “university with constituent colleges,” the University’s strategic direction is not to expand enrollment sharply but to focus investment on strengthening existing capacity, keeping student numbers relatively stable. However, we may slightly increase enrollment in technology fields.

Regarding tuition, we believe that the transition to a “university with constituent colleges” will improve educational quality and learning conditions, but we will strive to keep tuition unchanged. NEU did not change tuition over the past four years, but we have made a slight adjustment this year. If this year’s tuition level is maintained, we expect not to increase it through 2025.

– Could you share some of the advantages and challenges as NEU transitions from a stand-alone university to a university with constituent colleges?

Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong: We believe that any transition brings advantages as well as many challenges.

Our challenges primarily concern organizational and staffing arrangements, as mindsets and working methods need to change. The people remain the same, but their work may be somewhat different and must be more effective.

These changes also take time. However, we believe that, with the current mindset of NEU’s faculty and staff, the transition will proceed well and smoothly.

Educational Quality Will Certainly Reach a New Level

– What is NEU’s primary goal in transitioning to a university with constituent colleges?

Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong: Our primary goal is to improve the effectiveness of our operating model. NEU still has some limitations. Through this restructuring, we hope to address all of them so that the University operates increasingly effectively. Most importantly, students’ learning environment will continue to improve, and educational quality will certainly reach a new level.

NEU’s overarching strategy is to achieve a breakthrough in educational quality. We are currently putting the necessary conditions in place to make that breakthrough possible.

The first condition is lecturer training. In recent years, the University has strengthened lecturer training through three main activities: sending lecturers abroad to study; offering training and professional development courses in Vietnam; and encouraging greater participation in online courses. We support lecturers’ studies by providing funding, including both study expenses and incentives to complete their courses.

The second condition is improving facilities. Under the plan, by the end of 2025, all of the University’s classrooms will be smart classrooms meeting the best standards currently used by universities worldwide.

In addition, we are implementing the Lecture/Seminar teaching approach. The Lecture/Seminar model combines Lecture and Seminar classes for a subject/course within a semester. A Lecture class comprises one or more course sections (students registered for the same subject/course), with no more than 300 students; a Seminar class is a course section with 20 to 30 students.

Under this model, for approximately half of the time allocated to their subjects, students can choose whether to come to campus to attend lectures. All lectures in smart classrooms will be recorded. Students can participate online or save the videos to study at any time. In Seminar classes, students primarily interact directly with one another and with lecturers, and work through practical scenarios, exercises, and specific tasks.

This teaching approach will ensure that students have the best possible opportunities to address practical problems and develop their skills.

Autonomy Is the Only Path for Universities to Thrive

– NEU is regarded as one of the educational institutions that have been very successful in implementing autonomy. Could you share some of the University’s recent experiences in implementing university autonomy as it moves toward transitioning from a “stand-alone university” to a “university with constituent colleges”?

Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong: I believe university autonomy is the only path for universities to thrive. However, we need to understand university autonomy more fully, rather than interpreting it as “universities having to fend for themselves.”

University autonomy means that a university has the right to make its own decisions about its professional activities and take responsibility for them. However, support and investment from the State and society are extremely important. It would be incorrect to understand autonomy simply as universities having to fend for themselves and “struggle” on their own.

In my view, each university should have its own direction and path toward autonomy because each institution’s circumstances differ.

In practice, NEU has relatively favorable conditions for implementing university autonomy. We have an established tradition and reputation, a team of personnel, and reasonably adequate facilities. Implementing autonomy under these favorable conditions gives us the capacity to attract students who are not only academically strong but also able to pay. On that basis, we remain committed to providing high-quality education.

Regarding tuition, our guiding principle is that if you excel academically but face financial difficulties, NEU will always help you pursue your dreams, provided you have aspirations and dreams and are an outstanding student. We always have scholarships to support students.

We are not among the universities with the highest tuition, but I can assure you that NEU is one of the universities offering the best educational quality.

Nearly 300 Businesses Have Participated in the Educational Process

– NEU is a higher education institution with close ties to businesses and socio-political organizations, leading to a breakthrough in the development of innovative teaching content. Could you elaborate on the benefits of this cooperation for education?

Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong: First and foremost, NEU has always viewed business participation in the educational process as essential.

Only through this participation can students clearly understand labor market requirements.

Only in this way can students acquire the knowledge and skills they need to enter the world of work proactively after graduation, or even while still studying.

And only in this way can education achieve the effectiveness and quality we aspire to.

For this reason, NEU has always valued, prioritized, and developed cooperative relationships with businesses throughout the educational process.

According to our preliminary statistics, at least close to 300 businesses have now participated in NEU’s educational process. It is very encouraging that many business leaders are alumni of the University. NEU alumni have made their mark at very large businesses, including banks, major real estate groups, and Vietnam’s largest business groups.

The University works not only with large businesses but also with small businesses—those run by alumni across many different fields.

We believe this is a very good model of cooperation, involving not only knowledge and experience but, most importantly, the traditions and pride of NEU students.

– Thank you, Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong!

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.