VNU-Hanoi to compress bachelor programs to 3 years, boosting innovation goals
Early graduation gives young people more opportunities to develop and validate their skills.
THE HANOI TIMES — The study time for international standard bachelor programs at Vietnam National University-Hanoi (VNU-Hanoi) will be slashed from four to three years, according to a new decision recently approved by the prime minister.
The Vietnam Education Newspaper quoted Le Quan, Director of VNU-Hanoi, as saying that this is a strategic step to develop highly qualified human resources while abiding by the government's Resolution 57 on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.
Students of the VNU-Hanoi. Photo courtesy of the university
VNU-Hanoi is shortening the duration of its bachelor's degree program to three years, and 2.5 years for outstanding students. By streamlining the curriculum, the university aims to bring it up to international standards, promote innovation, and apply digital technology in teaching and learning.
The new program will feature a flexible study structure with three semesters per year and a focus on practical skills and scientific research.
"The training program not only integrates artificial intelligence and digital technology into teaching, but also promotes personalized learning, which is a breakthrough in the strategy of developing highly skilled human resources in Vietnam," Quan said.
The program is designed with an international integration orientation: in addition to political theory and general knowledge courses taught in Vietnamese, most of the specialized courses, including the thesis, will be conducted entirely in English. It helps equip students with the ability to work in an international environment, using English as a second academic and professional language.
VNU-Hanoi students study at the Hoa Lac campus in Thach That District. Photo courtesy of the university
"In addition to training, students are exposed to scientific research at an early stage by participating in faculty-led groups, which helps shape research thinking and long-term academic development orientation," said the director.
An important highlight in the program design is the promotion of interconnectivity between levels of education in the talent training system of VNU-Hanoi. Students participating in the Talent Incubation Program from high school (VNU 12+) will have the opportunity to continue their studies in international standard university programs. Those with good academic and research performance will be considered for admission to Ph.D. programs.
Building a faculty of teachers and scientists that meets international standards is a prerequisite for VNU-Hanoi to train human resources to meet the demands of national development in the era of science, technology, and innovation. The move, if successful, will lay the foundation for the university to expand cooperation with prestigious universities around the world and rise strongly in international university rankings, Quan said.
Technology application in training
The director of VNU-Hanoi said that in the context of strong digital transformation, integrating artificial intelligence and digital technology into education is an inevitable trend. Teaching methods must be innovated in the direction of diversification and individualization, especially for students with outstanding abilities and potential for academic development.
A modern library at VNU-Hanoi's Hoa Lac campus has thousands of books covering many subjects. Photo courtesy of the university
VNU-Hanoi currently has 12 schools and is one of the largest educational institutions in the country. Students at the university take an average of four years to earn a bachelor's degree. "Shortening the length of study would help get new graduates into the workforce as quickly as possible."
"The old framework for the national education system was based on the 2005 and 2009 Education Laws. But the global picture of education had changed so much in recent years that it required adjustments to the country's education system to catch up with other countries," said Quan.
Nguyen Xuan Hoa, a student of Languages and International Studies (ULIS) at VNU-Hanoi
He noted that shortening the length of study does not equate to reducing the amount of knowledge, but rather reflects a change in the way the same knowledge is delivered to students.
Nguyen Xuan Hoa, a student at the University of Languages and International Studies (ULIS) under VNU-Hanoi, said students can keep up with the condensed curriculum if they are determined and manage their schedules effectively.
"Graduating from university early gives young people more opportunities to develop and confirm their abilities," Hoa told The Hanoi Times.
