(PNTUM) In the morning of 26 May 2021, at Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, Dr Duong Anh Duc – Assoc. Prof, Member of the municipal Party Committee and Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, together with the city’s department and sector leaders, had a consultation with the University Council (UC), Rectorate Board, and other key personnel of the institution.
In addition, the session enjoyed the presence of Dr Nguyen Tan Binh – Head of the city’s Health Department, Mr Nguyen Hai Hieu – Deputy Head of the Payroll Management Division of the Department of Home Affairs, and representatives of other divisions such as the Department of Education and Training, the Department of Finance, the Project Management Board for the Investment and Construction of Civil and Industrial Works, etc.
[Fig 1] Dr Duong Anh Duc – Assoc. Prof, Vice Chairman of HCMC People’s Committee, chaired the meeting.
Representing the university, Dr Ngo Minh Xuan - Assoc. Prof., Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Council; Dr Nguyen Thanh Hiep – Assoc. Prof., Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Executive Vice Rector; Dr Phan Nguyen Thanh Van – Vice Rector; Dr Pham Dang Dieu – Assoc. Prof., Vice Rector Emeritus, and other key personnel attended the meeting.
[Fig 2] Dr Ngo Minh Xuan – Assoc. Prof, Secretary of the University Party Committee, Chairman of the UC, detailed the institution’s activities during the 2015-2020 term.
In the meeting, PNTUM PNTU delivered a brief report on the implementation of the Resolution of the 10th University Party Congress for the 2020 – 2025 term (hereafter referred to as the Resolution), the university’s work programmes and activities until May 2021, and directions and tasks for the upcoming period of 2021 - 2025. City leaders showed great appreciation to the efforts of the University’s efforts and the resulting achievements over the years. In particular, the University has rapidly expanded both in scale and in number of students and trainees. Its training quality has also been enhanced by means of accelerated, extensive integration and active adoption of cutting-edge technology for education. The University also has focus on transnational education with countries that are more developed in healthcare. Importantly, active, rapid, and effective development of investment projects of basic construction funded by city budget is key to the University’s advancement to become one of the leading universities specialising in health science in the nation.
According to the results of implementation of the Resolution, the university has successfully completed its missions with some targets being substantially exceeded. In response to urgent demands for highly qualified personnel of the healthcare system, the University has added four new full-time undergraduate majors in novel specialties and 56 new postgraduate programmes. Continuing medical education is also in prime focus to improve the healthcare staff competency of the city as well as various Southern provinces.
[Fig 3] Dr Nguyen Thanh Hiep – Assoc. Prof, Deputy Secretary of the University Party Committee, Executive Vice Rector, reported the university’s activities during the 2015-2020 term and provided directions for the upcoming period.
Despite the impacts of COVID-19, the University always assures quality of education because this is the most important characteristic of the health workforce. Faculties, departments, and lecturers have continually innovated and promoted education quality with a student-centred approach based on student self-directed learning skills. In February 2020, digital lectures were introduced in the form of blended learning classes. Surveys indicate that 95% of the students agreed with this mode of delivering lectures and 99% consider this an effective method of learning support.
Moreover, the University is currently one of the leading health institutions in terms of international cooperation. Notably, in conjunction with international organisations, the University has been actively undertaking research projects such as the cooperative project with University of Johns Hopkins, PRD projects with Belgium and other international entities. Numerous competency training courses for healthcare staff in partnership with international experts have also been run. Together with Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, PNTUM also established the Centre for Elaboration Competency and Innovation in Clinical Simulation, which received provisional international accreditation.
In the meeting, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine also addressed directions and missions for the new term. At the same time, the University expressed difficulties in beginning the construction of the second campus and establishing specialised centres and institutes under the University. The challenge of determining quotas for equipment and materials used for training, teaching and research was also mentioned.
[Fig 4] Dr Nguyen Tan Binh – Assoc. Prof, Director of the Health Department, responded to questions and proposed solutions for the University for the next period.
Realising the difficulties and challenges that the university is facing in the future, Assoc. Prof. Dr Duong Anh Duc requested that representatives from the city’s departments and sectors answer questions and propose solutions to support Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine in the future. The Vice Chairman of HCMC People’s Committee also entrusted specific tasks to every department and sectors in assisting the University. He also gave instructions and directions on the University’s future operation.