Vietnam Seeks to Boost Innovation in Higher Education Amidst Development Needs

Vietnam's higher education sector has achieved notable successes in internationalization and institutional autonomy, according to TS Vũ Thanh Mai, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Training Department. Significant strides have been made in international publications, global partnerships, and the self-governance of universities. Several institutions are increasingly prioritizing innovation, technology transfer, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation.

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Thời gian qua, giáo dục đại học VN đã đạt được nhiều kết quả đáng ghi nhận về công bố quốc tế, hợp tác quốc tế và tự chủ đại học đã có những bước tiến hết sức quan trọng.

Despite these advancements, Mai pointed out that Vietnam's higher education system still faces considerable hurdles when measured against the nation's development goals and the competitive landscape of the region. Key areas requiring further research and resolution include clarifying the concept of an innovative university model tailored to Vietnam's context and identifying the opportunities and challenges presented by the fourth industrial revolution, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation.

Discussions at a recent workshop centered on practical solutions for fostering innovation within Vietnamese universities. TS Trần Nam Tú, Deputy Director of the Department of Science, Technology, and International Cooperation under the Ministry of Education and Training, emphasized the need for a state-university-business collaborative model. This model should tackle core issues such as aligning interests and costs, matching requirements with capabilities, and refining financial policies and innovation spaces.

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Tuy nhiên, so với nhu cầu phát triển đất nước và cạnh tranh với nhiều quốc gia trong khu vực, vẫn còn không ít vấn đề cần được nghiên cứu, giải quyết.

From a corporate perspective, Th.S Ngô Diên Hy, Vice General Director of VNPT Group, advocated for curriculum reforms that integrate practical experience and increase hands-on training. He urged universities to proactively engage with businesses rather than waiting for project proposals. Hy also called for government support in implementing decrees related to science, technology, and innovation laws, and for establishing special mechanisms to encourage state-owned enterprises to invest in research and development. Furthermore, he proposed enhancing the research-ordering mechanism and developing a public-private co-funding R&D fund exceeding 10 trillion Vietnamese dong annually, with the state covering 30-70% of strategic technology project costs.

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Kiến nghị đẩy nhanh việc đổi mới chương trình đào tạo theo hướng "học đi đôi với hành", tăng tỷ lệ thực hành.