Dong Nai University: Taking decisive action to surpass itself

Dong Nai University, located in Tam Hiep ward, is receiving strong provincial support in terms of policy, funding, and human resources, with the goal of transforming it into a leading institution for high-quality vocational training.

The investment and development of Dong Nai University into the province’s flagship vocational training institution has been included in the draft political report for the first Provincial Party Congress, 2025–2030 term. This undertaking represents a major political commitment by the province, while also placing responsibility on the university’s leadership and lecturers to demonstrate solidarity, innovative thinking, and concrete actions.

Parents and freshmen enroll at Dong Nai University in 2025. Photo: Cong Nghia

Dr. Dang Anh Tuan, Acting Deputy Principal of Dong Nai University, stated that the University Council and the Board of Rectors have recently conducted a comprehensive review of the university’s operational conditions to outline new strategic directions. The university has also openly acknowledged a range of weaknesses and shortcomings, including governance, human resources, infrastructure, IT application and digital transformation, scientific research, and international cooperation. These are all critical factors in the development of any university and must be addressed in a coordinated and systematic manner.

Further addressing these challenges, Dr. Dang Anh Tuan noted that the lack of a stable working environment and appropriate incentive policies has led to a “brain drain” at Dong Nai University, with many PhD holders and associate professors requesting transfers. This challenge has resulted in shortages of personnel for both management and teaching, hindering the university’s sustainable development. Even within the University Council, the Board of Rectors, and various departments and faculties, staffing remains unstable. In fact, many units still lack key management personnel.

Since its upgrade to a university in 2010, Dong Nai University has received significant investment in infrastructure, including facilities of two vocational schools in Tam Hiep ward, along with new lecture halls, a library, and a sports complex. However, many of these facilities have become outdated or degraded, falling short of expectations for a university. Compared to private universities in Dong Nai or those in Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai University lags far behind in infrastructure.

Dr. Nguyen Van Toan, Chairman of the University Council, stated that although the province has yet to approve a policy to attract PhD-level personnel to Dong Nai University, at least 10 individuals holding doctoral degrees have expressed their willingness to return if called upon by the University Council and the Board of Rectors. In response, the university is determined to swiftly finalize its human resource attraction plan, while also restructuring its departments, faculties, and centers to improve the quality of teaching and scientific research.

According to Member of the Provincial Standing Party Committee and Vice Chairman of Dong Nai People’s Committee Le Truong Son, the demand for high-quality human resources in the province is enormous, particularly in the coming years. Investing in Dong Nai University for breakthrough development is essential, given the province’s urgent need to train a new generation of teachers as well as highly skilled workers for businesses. Thus, the province is ready to prioritize all aspects for the university, especially in developing high-level human resources and accelerating digital transformation.

Meanwhile, Deputy Director of the Department of Home Affairs Ha Thanh Tung emphasized that for Dong Nai University to develop, it must first prioritize internal unity, with consensus and alignment from top to bottom, across all departments. He noted that internal division has been a persistent and long-standing weakness at the university and must be definitively resolved.

According to Ton Ngoc Hanh, Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and Chairwoman of the Dong Nai People’s Council, the Provincial Party Committee has introduced bold new policies with a long-term vision for the development of Dong Nai University. What remains is for the university to urgently finalize its plans for attracting highly qualified personnel and for defining job positions and functions. These are essential steps to ensure a stable and high-quality team of administrators and lecturers. Without this foundation, it will be difficult to improve the quality of human resource training when the university itself is facing a shortage of capable teaching and managerial staff.

Ton Ngoc Hanh, Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairwoman of Dong Nai People’s Council:

Internal unity is vital for Dong Nai University to grow to its full potential

Every cadre, Party member, and lecturer, especially those in leadership positions, must serve as role models of unity and coherence, practicing what they preach and fully adhering to Party regulations, the principles of democratic centralism, and transparency. The role of the Party must be clearly distinguished from professional functions, and under no circumstances should the leadership role of the Party Committee in the university’s operations be underestimated.

 

By Cong Nghia – Translated by M.Nguyet, Minho