The SAHEP project accompanies HUST’s autonomy

Assoc. Prof. Huynh Quyet Thang affirmed that the Support for Autonomous Higher Education Project is a strong financial resource to support HUST’s autonomy process.

HUST and the World Bank (WB) held a Report Meeting on the Support for Autonomous Higher Education Project (SAHEP) on April 18 and 19.

Assoc. Prof. Huynh Quyet Thang, HUST President, stated about the importance of SAHEP for the University, “this project has brought many positive results to our staff, lecturers, and students.”

Assoc.Huynh Quyet Thang̣ ̣̣(left), President of HUST, at the meeting on April 19. Photo: Duy Thanh

In research, many research groups have been built and developed in the fields of robotics and smart devices, smart energy systems, and advanced materials.

In training, new academic programs are developed while current programs are regularly updated and adjusted, according to learners’ and social needs.

Since 2021, 6 programs have been accredited by the ASEAN University Network-Quality Assurance (AUN-QA) and the French Accreditation Commission for Engineering Programmes (CTI). At the same time, 11 training programs under the SAHEP project are expected to be accredited this year.

Many student support activities have been implemented, including the establishment of the Tran Dai Nghia Scholarship Fund, the issuance of policies on management and awarding of scholarships, and the establishment of psychological counseling departments for staff and students...

The World Bank supervisory team visited the construction site of the C7 building. Photo: Duy Thanh

The project’s highlight is the investment in facilities and equipment for training and research. When the project is completed by the end of this year, HUST will have a new building (C7) with 15 academic laboratories, and 15 research laboratories in the fields of Electric, Electronics, Mechatronics, and Materials Science, HUST’s current leading-edge fields.

Equipment construction, supply, and installation for Building C7 with a total construction area of ​​nearly 35,000m2 were officially started on March 2021. According to the general assessment, the quality of construction works is guaranteed according to the approved design and current standards.

The World Bank supervisory team visited the Laboratory of the School of Electrical Electronics Engineering. Photo: Duy Thanh

During the construction process, labor safety and fire prevention are ensured. A separate entrance to the construction site located on Tran Dai Nghia Street is arranged so that the construction does not affect the University’s academic activities.

However, the complicated and prolonged pandemic and the war in Ukraine affected personnel, materials, and construction progress in general. With the support of the University leaders, the World Bank, Vietnam’s governments, and the efforts of the contractors, the project is being closely monitored with the aim of completing this year.

In management capacity, short-term training activities are organized periodically for the university staff. In 2021, HUST launch the eHUST University Administration Application, accelerating the digital transformation process in universities.

The World Bank highly appreciates the Report on Environmental Safety - Society made by the HUST team. Michael Drabble, the Senior Education Specialist of the World Bank, affirmed that transparency and clarity between the two sides are essential for mutual success.

The component project at HUST has a total investment of 50 million USD, with an implementation period from 2018 to 2022.

 “SAHEP will accompany the development of HUST through investments in facilities, classrooms, lecture halls, and laboratories. New facilities for students and lecturers are expected to improve the quality of teaching and learning. This is the top priority of HUST as well as of SAHEP,” said Mr. Michael Drabble.

In 2022, HUST’s Electrical - Electronic Engineering and Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering were ranked best in Vietnam and in the group of 301-350 in the world according to the QS world university rankings by subjects. Moreover, Materials Science subject has just entered the ranking but is placed in the group of 400-410 in the world.

These are the prioritized field in the SAHEP project. Assoc. Prof. Huynh Quyet Thang believed that these are clear evidence of HUST’s right direction in recent years.

Reporting and editing by Ha Kim, translating by Tu Uyen