On the afternoon of 23rd December 2022, the University Council held its 10th meeting at the headquarters of HPT Informatics Services Joint Stock Company (HPT Vietnam Corporation) in the High-Tech Park in Ho Chi Minh City.

At the start of the meeting, Assoc. Prof. Trần Cao Vinh, the Chairman of the University Council, delivered an opening speech in which he emphasised that this session would address important matters concerning the assessment of the work completed after two years of implementing the Strategic Plan for the period 2021-2025, along with the plan for 2023. These discussions also contributed to the Income Innovation Project at the University.

Subsequently, Assoc. Prof. Trần Lê Quan, the Vice Chairman of the University Council and President of the University, presented a summary report for 2022. This report analysed some of the advantages and challenges encountered in the University’s operations during the first year of the operational mechanism’s renovation. Although many targets had been achieved, several others remained uncompleted.

“The focus for 2023 will be on digital transformation, improving income for staff and employees, developing specific training programmes such as dual majors, interdisciplinary programmes, and high-quality English courses; enhancing students’ mental health; engaging the alumni community; and developing financial resources and facilities,” shared Assoc. Prof. Trần Lê Quan.

This meeting also marked the first instance in which the University Council established a Supervisory Board to monitor and provide an objective and critical perspective on the activities of the University Council. Dr Đinh Bá Tiến, Dean of the Faculty of Information Technology and representative of the Supervisory Board, commented on the analysis and evaluation of the uncompleted targets and proposed the updating and adjustment of the strategic objectives. “The University Council needs to possess more analytical foundations with specific data to inform feasible decision-making, while also assessing resource risks throughout the implementation process,” remarked Dr Tiến.

Participating in the discussion, Prof. Dr Trần Linh Thước, the former President of the University, expressed his concerns regarding the struggles the University was facing, particularly concerning financial issues. According to Prof. Dr Trần Linh Thước, the University Council needed to approve a detailed estimate for non-budget revenue sources and to formulate forecasts in order to deploy resources more effectively.

The University Council also voted to approve the final report for 2022 and to evaluate the performance of both the Chairman of the University Council and the President of the University. This meeting was notable as it marked the first time the VNUHCM-University of Sciences had visited and worked at HPT Vietnam Corporation.