On January 22, 2021, at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, seven technological universities including: Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Da Nang University of Science and Technology, University of Transport and Communications, Hanoi University of Mining and Geology, Thuyloi University and National University of Civil Engineering signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement on student recruitment, training programs, scientific research, technology transfer, educational quality assurance and accreditation, organization of conferences, seminars, and public communications.
A scene at the signing ceremony of 7 leading universities of technology in Vietnam
Attending the signing ceremony, there were Assoc.Prof. Dr. Hoang Minh Son, Deputy Minister of Education and Training; leadership from seven involved universities. The delegation from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology led by the Present – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mai Thanh Phong and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Minh Phuong – The Chairman of University Council included the Board of Presidents, the University Council and the heads of relevant offices.
This partnership aims to support and improve the effectiveness in implementing each university’s Mission and Development Strategy, and work towards establishing a group of prestigious universities pioneering in teaching, research, innovation and digital transformation. At the same time, it will open up many opportunities for deeper, stronger and more comprehensive connection, positively contributing to the development and growth among the stakeholders in the future. Particularly, in the scope of student recruitment, the seven universities will collaborate to exchange ideas and share experiences in implementing recruitment and enrollment activities, career orientation and establishment of recruitment group using the results of thinking assessment exam, proceeding to planning the joint organization of such examinations in the future.
7 presidents of the seven universities at the signing ceremony
In the training aspects, the universities agreed to share experiences and collaborate in the development of regular undergraduate academic training programs, the (new) engineer training programs oriented to academic career path and master programs. Also, building a model of co-supervising students / graduate students / PhD candidates to conduct their theses and dissertation was discussed and agreed.
In term of accreditation, the seven universities agreed to cooperate on self-assessment, peer assessment, external assessment and sharing of experiences in accreditation at academic programs institution levels according to the regulations of international and national accreditation organizations.
Deputy Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son was devilering his remarks at the signing ceremony
In research and technology transfer, the Universities agreed to co-organize international scientific conferences, formulate and jointly implement interdisciplinary and inter-university research programs as well as international cooperation to strengthen their international publications. In particular, the Universities concur in building innovation programs, transfer technology, forming start-ups and joint spin-off companies on the basis of successful research collaborations. The Universities have come to agreement in joining hands for a strong application of digital transformation in management, teaching and research.
By common consent, the parties are also going to work closely in general communication and joint event promotion organized by the seven Universities. The Universities expressed their willingness to cooperate and share experiences in their communication activities and brand promotion.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Huynh Quyet Thang – President of Hanoi University of Science and Technology was giving opening remarks
The partner Universities will establish a joint subcommittee to work on relevant proposals to implement the cooperation among the Universities. Annually, the seven Universities will determine specific topics of collaboration and assign a coordinator among the seven universities to coordinate the cooperation activities. The results of the cooperation will be summarized and reported periodically in the fourth quarter of each year.
The Presidents of seven Universities highly appreciated cooperative contents which are in line with the key tasks of higher education institutions in the 2021-2025 period, fitting well with the orientation of the Ministry of Education and Training. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mai Thanh Phong confirmed the university’s comittement to the agreed contents.
Right after the signing ceremony mutually announcing the development orientation of the Engineer training program in June 2020, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology immediately embarked on building and implementing the training program for specialized engineers. This cooperation also demonstrates the responsibility of leading universities in the field of engineering and technology training to the society and the country. President Phong also expressed his high appreciation on the comprehensive cooperation between the seven participating universities located in different environments stretching from the North, the Central to the South of Vietnam; thereby not only utilizing the mutuality but also the differences to work together for developing the training, science and technology and entrepreneurship.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mai Thanh Phong – HCMUT President was delivering his remarks
Witnessing the signing ceremony, Assoc.Prof. Dr. Hoang Minh Son, Deputy Minister of Education and Training highly valued all partner universities’ innovation. “Most universities have focused only on international cooperation and neglected the close collaboration of domestic univesities which are very significant activity. Ministry of Education and Training always welcomes the initiatives and efforts of 7 technical universities and is willing to support the proposal on training, science and technology development of higher education institutions. In 2021, the Department of Higher Education expects the involved universities to develop the standards for the engineering programs at bachelors, engineers, masters, and doctors levels. The Universities are advised to invest in digital transformation at their universities and provide high-quality human resources in this sector”, he said.
Group photo after the signing ceremony
All universities expressed their determination to best implement the agreed contents and believed that the cooperation will help 7 universities fulfill their pioneering mission in teaching, research, technology transfer and innovation.
Before that, on June 27, 2020, seven universities in the group participated in signing a joint announcement on development orientation of the engineer training program. This was considered as the first step of pioneers in enhancing the quality of academic programs. The development of common standards for Engineering programs are expected to meet the practical needs of the society and elevate Vietnam in the stage of international integration.
