On the morning of 25 November, 2016, the first session of Science and Training Council of Vietnam Japan University, tenure 2016 – 2018, was held in Tokyo under the moderation of the Chairman Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Giang. Participants include 23 member scientists and managers.
After the opening speeches by Rector Furuta Motoo and the Council Chairman Vu Minh Giang, the Rectorate Board presented thematic reports on the draft VJU Organization and Operation Regulation, development strategy for the period of 2016 – 2025, faculty member recruitment, and assessment on training performance of the first cohort, and recruitment plan for the second cohort.
Rector Furuta Motoo, Chairman Vu Minh Giang and Vice Chairman Nagata Kyosuke
Regarding the draft Organization and Operation Regulation, Rector Furuta Motoo went through the process in which stakeholders from Vietnam and Japan worked together to develop draft regulations and main contents of the regulation. Currently, the draft has been submitted to the Prime Minister for approval.
On development strategy for the period of 2016 – 2025, Rector Furuta Motoo and Vice Rector Vu Anh Dung presented the University’s mission, goals and objectives, education and research philosophies, development agenda until 2025, and training model based on the Japanese “liberal arts education” philosophy.
Vice Rector Vu Anh Dung also proposed recruitment standards and annual responsibilities of faculty members, which focused on research competence and outcome.
In regard to performance of the first cohort and recruitment plan for the second one, Vice Rector Nguyen Hoang Oanh reported on the recruitment process and student feedbacks from the first cohort and admission plan for the second one. It was affirmed that lecturers and officers were making efforts to adopt new training methods, which encouraged self-study, team work, and self-research. Feedbacks and recommendations from students were welcome and integrated into training management.
Vice Chairman Nagata Kyosuke also stated sustainable development was new not only to Vietnam but also to the world. He highly appreciated the fact that Vietnam Japan University adopt sustainability as its mainstream philosophy. He considered Vietnam Japan University as a sustainable training institution model in training, research and development.
Solutions to improved training quality in the coming time
At the session, the Members made many invaluable comments to the Rectorate Board.
Prof. Mimura Nobuo suggested the University Rectorate Board seek methods in equipping students with both visions and in-depth expertise. Prof. Nguyen Dinh Duc suggested training philosophies be aligned with scientific research, and increase practical application of Infrastructure Engineering program. Prof. Mai Trong Nhuan suggested additional training philosophies with three main points: aiming for comprehensive international standards from the outset, ensuring the highest autonomy and social responsibilities, and controlling quality by learning outcome. He also proposed two requirements to be added in recruitment standards for faculty members: the ability to evoke and nurture entrepreneurship, and the ability to participate in interdisciplinary scientific research. Prof. Kato Hironori suggested to improve communication between lecturers and students so that students could learn not only knowledge but also skills from their lecturers. Prof. Shibutani Yoji suggested transparent financial management as stable financial system set firm foundation for training and research activities.
On behalf of the Council, Chairman Vu Minh Giang received all suggestions from the Members, and at the same time highlighted the following points:
(1) Strategic Plan:The University should be realistic in identifying vision, goals and objectives until 2025. Goals and objectives should be developed in consideration of available resources.
(2) Education philosophy: Sustainability philosophy should be further defined as it is a broad concept not restricted to training and scientific research, but also the development of the whole University. In addition, entrepreneurship will be added as a training and research philosophy to equip students with the ability to develop new fields and create jobs. Entrepreneurship will become an important criterion in faculty member recruitment.
(3) Financial management: A transparent, feasible and effective financial plan should be developed. The University may consider opening undergraduate and PhD programs on the basis of current masters program to generate income. At the same time, the University should actively promote the investment potentials in higher education in Vietnam to Japanese universities, thus boosting cooperation between the University and Japanese partners.
(4) Training: The University should take full use of advantages in Japanese education system, with customization to tailor its students. Interaction and communication between lecturers and students should be optimized. Conference to assess training performance after the first cohort should be held to set foundation for the second cohort.
(5) Scientific research: Scientific research should be oriented and the University should clarify the role of lecturers in guiding students in scientific research, while ensuring harmony between general research orientation of the University and students’ career path; more policy to support scientific research for students should also be adopted.
(6) Enrollment for the second cohort: The University should focus on such elements as job opportunities and career development after graduation in promoting its activities; and mobilize effective participation of the first cohort in the recruitment of the second cohort.
Scientific and Academic Council of Vietnam Japan University, term 2016-2018
Members of Science and Training Council – Vietnam Japan University, tenure 2016 – 2018: 1. Prof. Dr. of Science Vu Minh Giang (Chairman of the Science and Training Council, VNUHN, Director of Master program in Area Studies), Chairman 2. Prof. Dr. Nagata Kyosuke (Director of University of Tsukuba), Vice Chairman 3. Dr. Nguyen Thuy Anh (Director of Master program in Public Policy), Member 4. Associate Prof. Dr. Vu Anh Dung (Vice Rector), Member 5. Prof. Dr. of Science Nguyen Dinh Duc (Head of Training Committee – VNUHN, Director of Master program in Infrastructure Engineering), Member 6. Associate Prof. Dr. Cao The Ha (Director of Master program in Environmental Engineering), Member 7. Prof. Dr. Kato Hironori (Professor of the University of Tokyo, Co-Director of Master program in Infrastructure Engineering), Member 8. Prof. Dr. Nakajima Jun (Professor of Ritsumeikan University, Co-Director of Master program in Environmental Engineering), Member 9. Associate Prof. Iwatsuki Junichi (Associate Professor of the University of Tokyo, Co-Director of Master program in Area Studies), Member 10. Prof. Dr. Fukushi Kensuke (Professor of the University of Tokyo), Member 11. Dr. Pham Thi Lien (Director of Master program in Business Administration), Member 12. Prof. Dr. of Science Nguyen Hoang Luong (Director of Master program in Nanotechnology), Member 13. Prof. Dr. Furuta Motoo (Rector), Member 14. Prof. Dr. Mai Trong Nhuan (Chairman of Quality Control Council – Vietnam National University), Member 15. Prof. Dr. Mimura Nobuo (Director of Ibaraki University), Member 16. Dr. Nguyen Hoang Oanh (Vice Rector), Member 17. Prof. Dr. Miyazaki Satoshi (Professor of Waseda University, Director of Japanese Language Program), Member 18. Prof. Dr. Urata Shujiro (Dean, Professor of Waseda University), Member 19. Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Tung (Director of Institution of Vietnam Studies and Development Science), Member 20. Prof. Dr. Shibutani Yoji (Professor of Osaka University, Co-Director of Master program in Nanotechnology), Member 21. Prof. Dr. Matsui Yoshiki (Professor of Yokohama National University, Co-Director in Master program in Business Administration), Member 22. Prof. Dr. Tsujinaka Yutaka (Professor of University of Tsukuba, Co-Director of Master program in Public Policy), Member 23. MA. Ho Nhu Hai (Head of Administrative Department), Secretary |