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 the University’s restructuring and planned transition to a university system in 2024, as it strives to become a smart, digital university.

Implementation of this roadmap is underway, with the establishment of NEU as a university system 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 standalone university to a university system, 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, a pioneer in digital transformation with a modern, smart, and professional governance system that meets international accreditation standards, and a key university in economics-related disciplines. Could you share the University’s current roadmap for transitioning from a standalone university to a university system?

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 our planned transition to a university system in 2024.

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

We want NEU to be more than a university system in name: it should truly 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 cease to exist, while entirely new fields of study are also planned. When students of the three constituent colleges graduate, only one institution will award their degrees: NEU.

Regarding student enrollment as we transition from a standalone university to a university system, the University’s strategic direction is not to increase enrollment sharply but to focus on investment in quality improvements, keeping student numbers relatively stable. However, we may slightly increase enrollment in technology disciplines.

Regarding tuition, we believe that the transition to a university system 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, although we 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 in NEU’s transition from a standalone university to a university system?

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

Our challenges primarily concern staffing and organizational arrangements, as mindsets and working methods must change. The people remain the same, but their work may change somewhat, with greater efficiency required.

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

Educational Quality Will Certainly Reach a Higher Level

– What is NEU’s foremost goal in transitioning to a university system?

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

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

The first requirement is lecturer training. In recent years, the University has stepped up lecturer training through three main activities: sending lecturers abroad to study, organizing training and professional development courses in Vietnam, and encouraging greater participation in online courses. We support lecturers in their studies and provide funding. In addition to covering study costs, we offer incentives for lecturers to complete their courses.

The second requirement is to enhance facilities. Under the plan, by the end of 2025, all University classrooms will be smart classrooms meeting the best standards currently found at 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 of 20 to 30 students.

Under this model, for approximately half of the time allocated to courses, students may choose whether to attend lectures on campus. All lectures in smart classrooms will be recorded. Students can participate online or save the video recordings to study at any time. In Seminar classes, students primarily interact directly with one another and with lecturers, working through practical cases and exercises as well as specific assignments.

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

Autonomy Is the Only Path for Universities to Develop Well

– NEU is recognized as one of the educational institutions that have been very successful in implementing autonomy. Could you share some of the University’s experiences with university autonomy in recent years as it moves toward transitioning from a standalone university to a university system?

Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong: I believe that university autonomy is the only path for universities to develop well. However, we need a fuller understanding of university autonomy, rather than seeing it as meaning that “universities must fend for themselves.”

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

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

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

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

We are not among the universities charging the highest tuition, but I pledge that NEU is among those 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 sociopolitical organizations, leading to breakthroughs 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 regarded business participation in the educational process as an essential requirement.

Only in this way can students clearly understand the requirements of the labor market.

Only in this way can students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to enter the world of work fully prepared to take the initiative after graduation, or even while still studying.

And only in this way can we achieve the educational effectiveness and quality we seek.

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

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

The University partners not only with large businesses but also with small businesses owned by alumni across many different fields.

We believe this is a very good model of cooperation that goes beyond knowledge and experience to encompass, most importantly, the traditions and pride of NEU students.

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

Link: https://daibieunhandan.vn/giao-duc–y-te1/truong-dai-hoc-kinh-te-quoc-dan-se-tro-thanh-dai-hoc-thong-minh-dai-hoc-so-i357980/

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