From February 19 to 22, 2017, Vietnam Japan University’s mission led by Rector Furuta Motoo visited universities in the south including Vietnamese-German University, Fulbright University, International University of Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Ton Duc Thang University to exchange experience in developing and governing universities using models of international standard universities.
Rector Furuta Motoo of Vietnam Japan University and Rector Ho Thanh Phong of International University
From February 19 to 22, 2017, Vietnam Japan University’s mission led by Rector Furuta Motoo visited universities in the south including Vietnamese-German University, Fulbright University, International University of Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Ton Duc Thang University. Standing Vice Rector Vu Anh Dung, Chief Advisor of JICA Technical Assistance for Master Programs Kohiyama and Rector Assistant Phan Hai Linh also joined the Mission. The purpose of the mission is to share and learn from good experience and useful practices in university development and governance conforming to international standards in Vietnam.
In Binh Duong Campus of Vietnamese-German University, Vice Rector in-charge Ha Thuc Vien and leaders of functional divisions received the mission. Vietnamese-German University is a cooperation project between Vietnamese and German governments. The project has been implemented since 2008 and up to now has trained about 1,800 undergraduate and postgraduate students at standards of German universities. It is a public university, following German administrative and academic standards. The University focuses on engineering and sustainable advanced technology management. The model of Vietnamese-German University has many similarities with that of Vietnam Japan University in the sense that both are public universities developed by the collaboration between Vietnamese government and the government of a developed country in order to leverage and transfer advantages of the partner country. Successful lessons as well as difficulties, challenges of Vietnamese-German University is invaluable for Vietnam Japan University Project.
The mission of Vietnam Japan University visited a laboratory of Vietnamese-German University Campus in Binh Duong new city
Ton Duc Thang University was established in 1997 by Ho Chi Minh City’s Labour Union. Rector Le Vinh Danh together with Board of Rectors of Ton Duc Thang University met and shared with the mission difficulties and challenges of the University during the initial stage after establishment as the university follows the model of full financial autonomy. After 20 years of establishment and development, the university has built modern and complete physical facilities, and applied professional university governance approaches. In 2016, the university was ranked 156th in the top 200 world universities on sustainable development and awarded environment-friendly campus (waste water treatment, use of solar energy cell). The university also shared the experience on development philosophy; workforce development through attracting, training and retraining, building work environment; financial resource balance; training majors; research and technology activities; and development goals in the future.
The mission of Vietnam Japan University before the monument of President Ton Duc Thang
International University, a member of Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, was established in 2003 and has partial financial autonomy. It is the first public university using English in teaching and research. The university follows the model of multi-major, multi-area research university with total numbers of 360 lecturers and cadres, and 6,500-6,700 students. Rector Ho Thanh Phong stated that the university’s differences are the concentration on reaching international standards; investments in regional and international accreditation programs; jointly training with foreign partners; teaching in English; and investment in research and technology transfer; and contribution to the community. Up to 2016, the ratio of publication on ISI journals by its lecturers was 0.8 article/lecturer/year. Additionally, cooperation with enterprises on internship is also considered a special characteristic of the university. At International University, the mission of Vietnam Japan University visited some models of laboratories, libraries, lecture rooms, and service centers. The mission’s discussion also focused on university autonomy, human resource policies, curriculum development, tuition, admission etc.
The mission of Vietnam Japan University in a laboratory of International University
Similar to Vietnam Japan University, Fulbright University, following the liberal art education philosophy, was established based on the agreement and collaboration between Vietnamese and American governments. Rector and founder Dam Bich Thuy mentioned that it is a new university model – a Vietnamese private, not-for-profit university with foreign capital contributions. Currently the university was provided with 25 hectares at Ho Chi Minh City Hi-tech Park to build a dormitory and is in process of lecturer recruitment. The governance of the university will follow American model of which the highest authority is the university Board.
The mission of Vietnam Japan University at the representative office of Vietnam Fulbright University
The trip to visit and work with universities following the models of international standard universities in the south gave the chance to exchange and learn the experience on advanced university development and governance, and at the same time, created opportunities for collaboration between Vietnam Japan University and the above universities.
