Focus on creating high-quality human resources in social sciences

Opening of the exhibition booth "Vietnamese Social Sciences : Knowledge creates the future" of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences at the exhibition of national achievements in celebration of the 80th anniversary of National Day, September 2.

However, the construction and development of social science human resources, especially high-quality human resources, still has some shortcomings, requiring the attention of research agencies and educational and training organizations.

Risk of shortage

It is undeniable that the great achievements in the socio- economic development, security and national defense of the country in recent times have always had important contributions from social scientists and humanities. The results of innovation always start from new policies, which are mostly formed based on scientific foundations drawn from the research and creation process of social scientists. Unlike natural sciences, the research object of social sciences is always human beings, including complex relationships in the constant movement of life.

In the era of technology, machines and artificial intelligence are gradually replacing humans in many fields. This reality requires the attention of social science researchers to detect new emerging issues, especially cultural and human psychological factors, thereby proposing appropriate policies and orientations for sustainable development. However, according to many experts, human resources in social sciences have not met the requirements of life, are weak in expertise and lacking in quantity.

The Government’s strategy for science, technology and innovation development aims to have 12 human resources for scientific research and technology development per 10,000 people by 2030. This is a number that is quite far from the current reality, showing the need for a breakthrough in human resource training.

According to statistics from the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, as of July 30, 2024, the institute has 1,542 people, of which about 66% are engaged in research and teaching, the rest perform research services such as information, documents, libraries, magazines, management and administration. Thus, the ratio of social science research personnel per 10,000 people is low, even at risk of alarming decline.

Dr. Phan Chi Hieu, former President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, pointed out the reality that some social science researchers have switched to other jobs due to low income. The Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences is lacking leading experts who are capable of orienting and leading new and complex research activities. Some rare and in-depth research fields such as Han Nom and archaeology are at risk of disappearing. The gap between generations of researchers is clearly present.

Strengthen training

Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, dated December 22, 2024 of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation is the door that opens opportunities for research and training organizations, removing bottlenecks that have hindered and limited the development of science, especially social sciences and humanities.

The Law on Science, Technology and Innovation, passed by the National Assembly on June 27, 2025, allows scientific organizations to exercise autonomy in searching for, supporting talents, and training human resources, especially high-quality human resources. Heads of research, education and training organizations are empowered to decide on training costs, cooperation, connection, and invitation of international experts to lead and develop domestic scientific sectors based on the actual situation, specifically according to needs. For high-quality human resources, the Law allows Vietnamese people to be recruited directly into state agencies, even appointed as leaders without planning, with preferential 5-year temporary residence cards and personal income tax exemption for the first 5 years for international experts.

At the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, developing high-quality human resources is identified as one of the three strategic breakthroughs for the 2025-2030 period. Accordingly, the institute will focus on building a team of leading scientists and experts with international qualifications; in particular, focusing on discovering, nurturing and promoting young talents.

In addition, creating a working environment and development opportunities, appropriate remuneration to attract and retain talented people; fostering human resources with inheritance, ensuring sustainable development. To achieve this goal, the institute has proposed a strategy to develop the Academy of Social Sciences (a subordinate agency of the institute) into a full-scale university training and education institution with a research and application orientation.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Huy Hoang, Academy of Social Sciences, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, said that developing social science training institutions that meet standards equal to those of countries in the region and the world is urgent in the current conditions, if we do not want to fall behind. The policy of developing high-quality human resources for social sciences needs to focus on prioritizing the hiring of good international experts to participate in training at domestic educational institutions and academies under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences. At the same time, it is necessary to continuously update modern learning materials that are suitable for social science research trends of other countries, and to grant scholarships to young talents.

To make a breakthrough in the development of science, technology and innovation, we must focus on investing in the development of quality human resources, which means we must create a breakthrough in the development of higher education. This is an important factor in removing the bottleneck of the shortage of human resources in social sciences.
Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son

At the Conference on Science, Technology, Innovation and High-Quality Human Resources Development to Promote Economic Growth held in early 2025, Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son said that in order to make a breakthrough in the development of science, technology and innovation, it is necessary to focus on investing in the development of quality human resources, which means creating a breakthrough in the development of higher education. This is an important factor in removing the bottleneck of the shortage of human resources in social sciences. Along with training, encouraging talented people to stick with and contribute to social science research needs special attention. Policies on incentives, salary payment, research funding, project acceptance, risk sharing in research, and profit sharing for applied scientific products need to be transparent, in a way that motivates scientists, so that they can feel secure in their work.

It can be said that we have a full legal basis for training and finding quality human resources to serve the development of social sciences. The remaining problem lies in the thinking of managers and heads of scientific organizations. In some aspects, it is necessary to re-understand the importance of social sciences and humanities in the political, economic, cultural and social life of the new era. From there, prioritize policies on training, fostering and using human resources, gradually improving the quality of social sciences and humanities research, making worthy contributions to the development of the country.

VU QUYNH TRANG

Source: https://nhandan.vn/quan-tam-tao-nguon-nhan-luc-khoa-hoc-xa-hoi-chat-luong-cao-post906297.html