Higher education cannot sustain old thinking

GD&TĐ - According to Deputy Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son, university education cannot maintain old thinking, and even more so, cannot simply play a "training" role.

Strong highereducation institutions play a leading role

Emphasizing that universities must become the core force in the national innovation ecosystem, Deputy Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son said that the Ministry has announced 13 higher education institutions playing a leading role in excellent training networks and talents in 9 key technology fields at the Conference on implementing human resource development projects and "3 Houses" cooperation.

This is part of the roadmap for implementing the Project on developing a system of excellent training centers and talents in technology 4.0 by 2030, approved by the Government under Decision No. 374/QD-TTg from February 2024.

List of higher education institutions that play a leading role in training networks of excellence and talent in 9 key technology areas.

The project aims to form at least 1-2 training networks for each priority field. In particular, the three fields of artificial intelligence, semiconductor industry and biotechnology will have at least 2-3 networks spread across the three regions of the North, Central and South.

Each network is led by a strong university, in coordination with at least 5 other universities and a number of domestic and foreign enterprises.

Each network organizes at least one excellent program on adaptive training, retraining, advanced training, and specialized training. At the same time, each network must attract at least 100 good scientists and experts from home and abroad to participate in teaching and research at domestic higher education institutions.

Strong higher education institutions play a leading role in organizing the development of cooperation agreements with at least 5 member higher education institutions and enterprises participating in the network. To be completed before July 15, 2025.

Deputy Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son spoke at the conference on implementing major projects in the field of higher education on June 14 in Hanoi.

Universities must participate in leading innovation

Emphasizing the role of universities, Deputy Minister Hoang Minh Son affirmed that university education cannot maintain old thinking, and cannot simply play a "training" role.

Universities must become the core force in the national innovation ecosystem. "Universities need to act faster and more decisively. Otherwise, we will be left behind."

Vietnam currently has about 2.4 million students and more than 300 higher education institutions – a large but not yet strong enough network. It is time to abandon the quantitative approach and instead use the quality of training, research effectiveness and practical contributions to the knowledge economy as the main metrics.

The Deputy Minister emphasized that universities do not only train workers, but also create knowledge and lead the country's scientific and technological development. Without a high-quality workforce, there can be no real innovation.

In the innovation ecosystem, universities must be the center of knowledge - the place to generate technology, connect businesses, provide solutions for society and form businesses originating from research.

"Without specific products and without participating in the innovative value chain, universities will simply be training places and will quickly fall behind in global competition," said the Deputy Minister.

Taking on that role, the Deputy Minister said that universities need to comprehensively restructure their research and transfer activities, closely linking with businesses. Capable schools need to be given superior mechanisms to become regional and national innovation centers.

Students of Vietnam National University of Agriculture participate in scientific research.

For higher education to truly transform, Deputy Minister Hoang Minh Son requested that it is necessary to start with five urgent action groups. Accordingly, universities cannot stand outside the digital revolution. If we do not connect and innovate, no matter how much potential we have, we will be surpassed.

In the innovation ecosystem, universities are not only places to impart knowledge, but must become centers connecting knowledge with the market, technology with production. If we do not engage and act strongly, we are blurring our own role.

According to Deputy Minister Hoang Minh Son, it is time for schools to step out of their "comfort zone" and enter the big game with a leadership mindset - not only to train workers, but to create a generation that changes the world.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/giao-duc-dai-hoc-khong-the-duy-tri-tu-duy-cu-post738353.html