On the afternoon of January 29, 2024, National Economics University (NEU) successfully held a seminar on “Workforce Demand in New Undergraduate Fields of Study Proposed for Launch in 2024,” attended by hundreds of delegates representing employers and higher education institutions, as well as experts and scholars.

An overview of the seminar

External delegates attending the seminar included Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Tuan, Director of the Center for Information Technology Solutions, Ministry of Education and Training (MOET); Dr. Phan Duyen, Specialist at the Department of Higher Education, MOET; Dr. Nguyen The Vinh, Deputy Director of the Academy of Policy and Development; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thai Hung, Vice Rector of the School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology; Dr. Pham Huy Hieu, Deputy Director of the Smart Health Center, VinUni; Dr. Pham Ngoc Toan, Director of the Center for Strategic Analysis and Forecasting, Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs; Nguyen Tien Cuong, Director of VNPT AI; Hoang Thi Thu Trang, Director of Human Resources and Training, Wellspring Hanoi International Bilingual School; along with nearly 100 individuals and groups, businesses, employing organizations, experts in technology industries and fields, and learner representatives…

Representing NEU were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong, Vice President; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Trieu, Head of the Department of Academic Affairs, the standing lead unit and focal point for developing undergraduate fields of study and academic programs; Prof. Dr. Tran Tho Dat, Chair of the University’s Science and Academic Affairs Council; Council members; representatives of the leadership of departments, faculties, institutes and centers; University faculty and staff; and many lecturers from the Faculty of Mathematical Economics, the Institute of Information Technology and Digital Economics, and the Faculty of Statistics.

Representing the University’s Advisory Council were Prof. Dr. Sc. Luong Xuan Quy, former President; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Thuong, former President; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Duc Cat, former Secretary of the Party Committee and Council member; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ke Tuan, Council member; Prof. Dr. Tran Minh Dao, Council member; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Luu Bich Ngoc, Council member; along with experts and scholars from within and outside the University.

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

Speaking at the seminar, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong, Vice President of NEU, noted that NEU had developed over nearly 70 years since its founding. Throughout that time, the University had established its position as one of the leading universities for education in economics, management and business administration.

Under its development strategy, NEU aspires to become a multidisciplinary university spanning multiple fields, providing a high-quality workforce to meet society’s needs. The University is moving toward a university structure comprising constituent colleges, establishing three colleges: the College of Technology, the College of Business, and the College of Economics and Public Management. With its mission to offer education across multiple disciplines and fields, NEU is studying the proposed launch of five new fields of study: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Science, Information Systems, Software Engineering, and Information Security. Previously, NEU also pioneered the introduction of many interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary fields, such as Business Analytics, Data Analytics in Economics and Business, and Digital Business… The University also offers several fields of study with certain connections to the five proposed new fields.

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong, the seminar on “Workforce Demand in New Undergraduate Fields of Study Proposed for Launch in 2024” brought together lecturers from universities experienced in teaching computing and software technology, along with representatives of businesses that will employ graduates. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong expressed his hope that delegates would focus on several key questions. First, what direction should NEU take in offering education in these five fields? Should it focus on teaching these fields and their applications in economics, management and business administration, or on other aspects, to avoid duplicating fields already taught at other educational institutions while building on the University’s strengths?

Second, academic programs cover core content in knowledge, skills, and the capacity for autonomy and personal responsibility. What bodies of knowledge, skills and competencies should students in these five fields at NEU focus on to best meet society’s needs upon graduation?

Third, what preparations does NEU need to make in terms of lecturers, programs, textbooks, facilities and other resources to offer education in these five fields?

“NEU already has extensive experience in developing and designing new academic programs. However, from the perspective of a ‘provider’—an institution that educates students to meet society’s needs—the views of seminar participants will be very useful to the University’s research team. We will continue to learn from and incorporate these views to refine and develop the best possible academic programs,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong.

Dr. Le Anh Duc, Deputy Head of the Department of Academic Affairs, speaks at the seminar.

Speaking at the seminar, Dr. Le Anh Duc, Deputy Head of the Department of Academic Affairs at NEU, stated that the University’s mission is to provide a high-quality workforce to serve the country’s sustainable development. Its vision is to become a research-oriented university spanning multiple disciplines and fields, ranking among the top five universities in Vietnam and the top 100 in Asia.

In line with this mission and vision, the University has defined its education strategy as vigorously expanding fields of study in computing and information technology, with a focus on digital transformation and the application of big data and artificial intelligence in economic management and business administration, laying the foundation for becoming a leading center for education and research in this area.

NEU currently offers 35 undergraduate fields of study across 10 areas of education: (1) Business and management; (2) Social and behavioral sciences; (3) Tourism, hospitality, sports and personal services; (4) Environment and environmental protection; (5) Computing and information technology; (6) Humanities; (7) Journalism and information; (8) Law; (9) Industrial management; and (10) Agriculture, forestry and fisheries.

Alongside these fields of study, NEU has also pioneered the development of specialized academic programs, many of which are interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary and are not yet included in Vietnam’s Level IV classification of undergraduate fields of study. Specifically, the University has 21 academic programs taught entirely in English, 15 high-quality academic programs, and seven Profession-Oriented Higher Education (POHE) programs, for which NEU handles admissions, delivers instruction and awards degrees.

Dr. Le Anh Duc also noted that NEU is researching, designing and developing five new fields of study in mathematics and statistics, and computing and information technology, with a proposed launch in 2024: Data Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Artificial Intelligence, and Information Security. “If these five fields are successfully developed, NEU will add mathematics and statistics as another area of education alongside the 10 areas it currently offers,” said Dr. Le Anh Duc.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ha Minh Hoang, Faculty of Mathematical Economics, NEU, presents the proposed learning outcomes and curriculum frameworks for the new fields of study.

Dr. Pham Xuan Lam, Institute of Information Technology and Digital Economics, NEU, presents the proposed learning outcomes and curriculum frameworks for the new fields of study.

Dr. Doan Quang Minh, Institute of Information Technology and Digital Economics, NEU, presents the proposed learning outcomes and curriculum frameworks for the new fields of study.

Earlier, in early January 2024, NEU announced plans to launch six new fields of study, including five related to technology. Data Science and Artificial Intelligence would each admit approximately 100 students. Each of the remaining fields would admit 50 students.

NEU plans to transition to a university comprising constituent colleges in 2025. Introducing new fields of study plays an important role in diversifying and expanding its educational offerings to meet society’s needs and enhance its standing in the context of international integration. The development of new fields has been included in the University’s overall development directions and plans, in line with workforce requirements for the country’s socioeconomic development and the needs of society and learners.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong, Vice President, moderates the seminar’s discussion session.

Delegates exchange views and contribute feedback at the seminar.

Seminar participants pose for a commemorative photograph

Dr. Bui Kien Trung, Deputy Head of the Department of General Affairs, serves as master of ceremonies at the seminar.

Article and photos: 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.