On October 21, 2024, National Economics University (NEU) successfully held a national conference on “The Role of Young Intellectuals in the New Context.” The conference attracted considerable interest from experts, researchers, lecturers, and students nationwide, generating numerous contributions and practical solutions to promote the role of young intellectuals in national development in the new context.

A view of the plenary session

External delegates attending the conference included Nguyen Thanh Son, Member of the Hanoi Party Committee and Secretary of the Party Committee of Hanoi Universities and Colleges; Pham Thi Thu Giang, Head of the Division of Party Organizations and Party Members under the Hanoi Party Committee’s Organization Commission; Nguyen Thien Tu, Director of the Center for Science, Technology and Young Talent Development under the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union; Nguyen Mai Huong, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chair of the University Council of Hanoi Open University; Chu Manh Hung, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chair of the University Council of Hanoi Law University; leaders of universities, academies, and colleges under the Party Committee of Hanoi Universities and Colleges; and representatives of the leadership of the Security Academy.

Representing NEU were Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong, President of NEU; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chair of the University Council; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU; Dr. Nguyen Huu Dong, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chair of the NEU Trade Union; representatives of the leadership of schools, departments, faculties, institutes, and centers; and faculty, staff, and students from across the University.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU, delivers remarks.

In his introductory address, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU, noted that intellectuals have always played an important role and served as a core force in revolutions throughout human history and in Vietnam. In today’s context, intellectuals remain a pioneering force in development and innovation as the country enters a new era. In recognition of this role, NEU has always placed emphasis on intellectuals, regarding them as the future of the University and the country.

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, the role of young intellectuals in the new context is a multifaceted topic. The Organizing Committee therefore arranged two parallel discussion sessions on specialized topics, including:

The first topic was “Improving the quality of Party membership development among students.” This strategic topic focuses on fostering and developing students as young intellectuals who need to understand and grasp global development trends so that they can contribute effectively to the country’s development.

Improving the quality of Party membership development among students not only helps build a pool of young cadres with firm political resolve, dedication, and intellect for the future, but also demonstrates the attention that the Party and the State give to the younger generation—those who will carry forward the work of building and defending the Fatherland.

“The conference helps gather constructive contributions and practical solutions to maximize the role of young intellectuals in the country’s development in the new context. Together, we share, learn, and move forward on this challenging yet equally promising journey,” emphasized Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Tham, lecturer at the Faculty of Political Theory, NEU, presents on “Solutions to improve the quality of Party membership development among university students today”

Captain Trinh Quoc Hung, MSc., of the People’s Security Academy, presents on “Improving the quality of Party membership development in People’s Public Security academies and schools today and some suggestions for NEU”

Student Dao Quang Huy, Party member of Student Party cell III and former Deputy Head of the Academic Affairs Committee of the NEU Young Political Theory Club, presents the paper “Motivations for joining the Party among student Party members at NEU”

The conference was organized to create a forum where young Vietnamese intellectuals from various fields could exchange views and present practical ideas and solutions concerning the role of their generation in the context of globalization and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It also provided a platform for discussions on the challenges and opportunities facing young intellectuals, supporting the country’s sustainable development strategy.

The conference received 137 quality papers from universities, academies, and colleges in particular, and the community of young intellectuals in general, addressing national and international issues in the current context.

Following the plenary session, the conference divided into parallel discussion sessions on specialized topics, focusing on the challenges and opportunities facing young Vietnamese intellectuals in the new era. The two topics were “Improving the quality of Party membership development among students” and “The role of young intellectuals in the digital economy.”

Improving the Quality of Party Membership Development Among Students

The discussion session on “Improving the quality of Party membership development among students,” chaired by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chair of the University Council, addressed two main areas: the current situation and lessons learned in Party membership development at universities, colleges, and academies; and solutions to improve the quality of Party membership development among students, building a pool of young cadres with firm political resolve and dedication to the country’s development.

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

Speaking on “Improving the quality of Party membership development among students,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chair of the University Council, stated that recruiting student Party members is an important task in Party building in general and Party membership development in particular.

At NEU, the Resolution of the University’s 28th Party Congress for the 2020–2025 term clearly defined the objectives and directions for Party membership development, emphasizing the recruitment of young faculty and staff and students. In practice, the number of Party members admitted each year has met or exceeded targets, with students accounting for the majority.

Other presentations also drew lessons from efforts to improve the quality of Party membership development among students at colleges, universities, and academies, including the experiences of the People’s Security Academy and the University of Law, among others. In particular, presentations clarified students’ motivations for joining the Party. Delegates emphasized the guiding role of the Party Committee of Hanoi Universities and Colleges, the close oversight of Party committees, and the Youth Union’s role in communication and guidance…

Nguyen Thanh Son, Member of the Hanoi Party Committee and Secretary of the Party Committee of Hanoi Universities and Colleges, speaks at the conference

Speaking at the conference, Nguyen Thanh Son, Secretary of the Party Committee of Hanoi Universities and Colleges, emphasized that although the Party Committee admits a large number of Party members each year, this number remains below its potential. Universities, colleges, and units therefore need to continue improving the quality of Party building, thereby raising awareness among Party committees and further strengthening Party membership development.

Communication and education efforts also need to be renewed. “Joining the Party to secure a better job is also a motivation and an aspiration. We therefore need to provide training to help students improve their awareness and understanding of political theory…,” Nguyen Thanh Son emphasized.

The presentations addressed solutions to improve the quality of Party membership development through various topics and student perspectives, helping universities and colleges in the area further improve their Party membership development efforts.

The Role of Young Intellectuals in the Digital Economy

In his introductory address opening the parallel discussion session, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU, emphasized the importance of promoting the role of young intellectuals in the digital economy. The session’s theme was developed to connect leading experts, young Vietnamese intellectuals, technology businesses, and policymakers. It particularly focused on young intellectuals—a group capable of rapidly adopting breakthrough technologies—who are becoming key drivers of the development of Vietnam’s digital economy.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU, chairs the discussion session

The presentations not only emphasized the role of young intellectuals in researching and applying technology but also affirmed their importance in entrepreneurship, innovation, and turning breakthrough ideas into reality, contributing to the development of a modern and sustainable digital economy.

The discussions featured practical, in-depth exchanges on topics covering a range of practical aspects of the digital economy, attracting lively participation from speakers, researchers, lecturers, and students.

The national conference “The Role of Young Intellectuals in the New Context” was a success, providing valuable knowledge and important solutions to strengthen the role of young intellectuals in the present and future contexts. The conference further affirmed NEU’s pioneering role in creating a forum for knowledge exchange among researchers, scholars, and students. It offered diverse perspectives and multidimensional analyses of the role of young people in the new era, particularly at universities, academies, and colleges.

Additional photos from the conference:

Article and photos: Youth Union and Department of Communications

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