During its 120th-anniversary celebration, Hanoi National University (VNU) received a directive from General Secretary, President To Lam: It must become a "brain trust" for the State, providing scientific arguments for strategic decisions; a partner for businesses developing technology, human resources, and new business models; and a source of public trust in the power of Vietnamese knowledge, science, and education.

Despite its significant impact on many important educational reforms, experts believe VNU requires substantial restructuring and investment to fulfill this mission.

Dr. Hoang Ngoc Vinh, former Director of the Professional Education Department, Ministry of Education and Training, asserts that a national university's value lies not in its training scale but in its capacity to build strong academic groups, foster innovation, and cultivate individuals capable of independent research.

VNU needs to overcome rigid administrative management. Dr. Vinh likens current administrative regulations to a tight suit, no longer fitting an entity requiring rapid development.

To attract top talent, universities must implement policies for recruiting both domestic and international experts, offering performance-based salaries, benefits, scholarships, and supporting research groups. These aspects should not be constrained by conventional administrative frameworks.

Additionally, Dr. Hoang Ngoc Vinh identifies an internal weakness: The cohesion among VNU's member schools remains insufficient, failing to create the synergy needed to optimize shared resources. He suggests these groups must enhance their connections and collaboration in training and research.

At a workshop on Hanoi National University last week, Professor, Dr. Sc. Nguyen Dinh Duc, former Head of the Training Department at Hanoi National University and former Chairman of the University Council of the University of Technology, also emphasized university autonomy and governance reform as two core issues needing priority.

These are considered prerequisites for the university to proactively develop, innovate training programs, attract talent, and elevate research quality.

Regarding long-term strategy, Professor Nguyen Dinh Duc believes VNU should uphold its foundation in basic sciences while prioritizing resources for high-tech and strategic fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and biotechnology.

To enhance its academic standing, postgraduate training, particularly at the doctoral level, requires significant investment to boost international publications, patent development, and innovation. Building scientific and technological potential demands that the university implement a systematic strategy for selecting and training successors, as well as providing adequate facilities and a conducive research and work environment.

Concerning resources, Dr. Hoang Ngoc Vinh proposes that the State invest commensurate with the tasks assigned to VNU.

"How can this university not worry, using enrollment size to compensate for limited financial resources as it does now," Vinh stated. In return, VNU is responsible for delivering results through its products, people, academic capacity, and the leadership value of a national university.

Students of Hanoi National University study at the Hoa Lac campus. *Photo: VNU*

Hanoi National University currently comprises 12 member schools, along with several junior high and high schools, serving approximately 78,700 students. VNU aims to become an elite university, striving to be among Asia's top 100 by 2030 and among the world's top 300 universities by 2035.

According to the 2026 QS ranking of the best universities in Asia, Hanoi National University ranks 158th, leading the country.

Le Nguyen - Duong Tam