As many as 500 participants from international organisations such as the World Bank, UNDP, JICA and KOICA; embassies of the United States, Canada, Japan, Denmark, Sweden, South Korea, Laos, Cambodia and other countries; international scientists who worked in Vietnam to support training and research on market economy, business administration and entrepreneurship; representatives from business associations and companies; and domestic scientists attended the International Conference on “Training and Research on Market Economy of Universities in Vietnam”. The event was hosted in Hanoi by National Economics University on its 60th anniversary celebration.
Changes for better
Dr Tran Tho Dat, Rector of National Economics University, said, education and training coupled with science and technology have contributed to national development when the country carried out renovation. In the transition process to the market economy, Vietnamese universities have trained millions of bachelors, engineers, masters and doctors for the country in the past 30 years to meet basic requirements of national economic development according to market mechanism. In the course of State administration of market economy, universities in the country have had put forth valuable policy recommendations and advice based on their research results. Ministries, branches, localities and enterprises have received useful advice from universities.
Remarkably, training methodology and training management have been also changed to adapt to the market mechanism. Training subjects and contents and tuitions are no longer fixed by central authorities but by universities in accordance with the law. This has helped improve training efficiency and meet market demands.
Scientific research management mechanism has also been renovated to enhance research efficiency. Research funding mechanism has been shifted from State budget allocation to order placement and tender. Research results have given addresses of application. Universities have been given more authority in research, thus better fitting their own capacity and strength. With new changes in scientific research management, the efficiency of scientific research resources has been improved remarkably.
Strengthened autonomy
According to participants, in addition to enormous contributions of universities to training and research on market economy, further improvement is needed in training management and scientific research. In fact, a high ratio of graduates is unemployed one year after graduation.
Human resources training for society also need to be based on the State-regulated market mechanism. In addition to social functions, a university should be considered itself a business entity providing higher education services. Universities deliver services and students are customers. And, students’ needs are strongly affected by employers’ needs. To further promote resources of universities, it is necessary to increase the autonomy of universities and maintain the controlling role of the State.
Anh Mai
Vietnamese
