On the afternoon of April 20, 2025, Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son, along with a delegation from the Ministry, paid a working visit to Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education (HCMUTE). This visit demonstrates the Ministry’s close attention to the development orientation of one of Vietnam’s key national higher education institutions in engineering and technology.

Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son and HCMUTE President Le Hieu Giang at the working session

The working session was attended by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Kim Son – Member of the Party Central Committee, Minister of Education and Training – and representatives of various departments and bureaus under the Ministry.

From HCMUTE, the session included Dr. Truong Thi Hien – Party Secretary and Chairwoman of the University Council; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Hieu Giang – Deputy Party Secretary and Rector; along with members of the Party Committee and heads of various departments of the university.

In his report, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Hieu Giang highlighted that the university has recently focused on three breakthrough areas: modern infrastructure development, high-quality human resource development, and sound strategic and policy planning.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Hieu Giang, President of HCMUTE speaking at the working session

Thanks to improved revenue, the university has implemented better policies to attract high-quality personnel, which has enabled the development of highly integrated academic programs.

In terms of scientific research, the university has issued policies that encourage faculty to focus on research, resulting in numerous international publications that have enhanced HCMUTE's reputation and brand.

In collaboration with businesses, HCMUTE has built a network of over 1,600 enterprises and partners, many of which have sponsored and equipped the university with modern laboratories, significantly improving training quality.

Looking ahead to 2025, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Hieu Giang shared that the university will continue enhancing training programs to promote global integration; expand the number of modern laboratories; further improve infrastructure; apply IT and promote digital transformation; streamline the organizational structure; define job positions; and develop a financial autonomy plan.

Dr. Truong Thi Hien – Party Committee Secretary and Chairwoman of the University Council of HCMUTE – sharing at the working session

Speaking at the meeting, Minister Nguyen Kim Son highly appreciated the university's position and its efforts in providing high-quality technical human resources, contributing to the country’s industrialization and modernization. However, he also set out new expectations, stating that HCMUTE needs to reposition itself within the current landscape of higher education in Vietnam.

Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son speaking at the working session

According to the Minister, having a campus spanning several dozen hectares or generating revenue of over a thousand billion VND from tuition are necessary but not sufficient conditions. The crucial issue is that the university must clearly identify its position within the national and regional higher education system, and develop a long-term strategic vision. “We must have a global perspective to reposition ourselves, to know where we stand and what we must do,” Minister Nguyen Kim Son emphasized.

The Minister proposed that the university should focus on developing key high-tech engineering programs, expand English-language instruction to improve students’ global competitiveness, and enhance its role in training faculty for vocational institutions, including colleges.

In scientific research, the university should increase practical application, boost technology transfer, and develop products that serve society. It should continue its evolution into a multidisciplinary university, with engineering and technology as its core, supplemented by applied sciences, economics, languages, and management.

Regarding financial matters, the Minister advised restructuring revenue streams to gradually reduce dependency on tuition, while increasing income from services, research, technology transfer, and applied products. “Autonomy does not mean self-reliance. The State will continue to invest – even more – but not for recurrent expenses, rather for institutional development,” the Minister affirmed.

He also emphasized the need for HCMUTE to empower its teaching staff, create a transparent and effective internal governance mechanism, and inspire creativity and dedication. “The most important kind of liberalization is the one that comes from within each individual,” he said.

During the session, leaders from the Ministry’s departments and bureaus further elaborated on issues such as network planning, program expansion, autonomy proposals, technical-economic norms, organizational structure, and job positions.

On behalf of the university, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Heu Giang expressed sincere thanks for the close guidance and support of Minister Nguyễn Kim Sơn and the Ministry’s functional units. HCMUTE is committed to seriously implementing the guidance provided, incorporating it into its development strategies to remain a key technical university, fostering innovation, integration, responsibility, and aiming for a sustainable future.

Delegates at the working session between the Ministry of Education and Training and HCMUTE