15 Years of Pride: The School of Medicine at Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City (2009-2024) and the Beginning of a New Journey as the "University of Health Sciences"

2024-06-22 08:54:00

The School of Medicine at Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City has fulfilled its commendable mission over 15 years of establishing foundations, construction, and development, paving the way for a new developmental phase: the University of Health Sciences – Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, with the vision of becoming an advanced, prestigious health sciences educational institution in the region – a convergence of medical science, technology, culture, knowledge, and Vietnamese medical ethics.

On the occasion of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha signing the Decision to establish the University of Health Sciences at Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh City on 3^rd June, 2024, the University Website Editorial Board would like to present the most recent insights from Prof. PhD. MD. Dang Van Phuoc – Dean of the School of Medicine – Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, now Honorary President of the University of Health Sciences – Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City. This interview was published in the Popular Science Journal, issue 25/24, released on 21^st June, 2024.

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES MARKS A WATERSHED DECISION

Dear Professor, what significance does the Prime Minister’s decision to establish the University of Health Sciences hold for the Faculties and Staff?

This represents a watershed decision following 15 years of formation and development of the School of Medicine, inaugurating a new developmental era under the name of University of Health Sciences. The institution’s English title, “University of Health Sciences – Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City” (abbreviated as VNUHCM-UHS), conforms to international conventions and reflects our integration-oriented approach.

The emergence of the University of Health Sciences helps to perfect the multidisciplinary, multi-field structure of Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City whilst enhancing its domestic and international position, thereby contributing positively to the training of high-quality healthcare professionals for society and advancing the field of health sciences for the nation. The institution’s establishment manifests the vision of developing interdisciplinary health sciences, connecting with areas that are already strengths of Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City, such as natural sciences, technology, social sciences and humanities, management, and others.

This achievement carries profound significance for the university’s academic staff. It represents the culmination of 15 years of development, facilitated by exceptional support from Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City. It also embodies the dedication of successive leadership teams and the collective efforts of faculties and staff to fulfil the mission of building a leading regional University of Health Sciences, becoming a confluence of medical science, technology, culture, knowledge, and Vietnamese medical ethics.

Accordingly, how will the university’s 2024 admissions process change?

As the University of Health Sciences has been established on the foundation of the School of Medicine, fundamentally, the 2024 admissions season will not experience many significant alterations. For undergraduate admissions, the university will maintain the same quotas according to the previously published admissions plan. This year, the university will admit 555 students across five training programmes: Medicine (150 regular quota places and 80 commissioned places), Odonto Stomatology (50 quota places), Pharmacy (50 quota places), Traditional Medicine (75 quota places), and Nursing (150 quota places). The university employs nine admissions methods based on examination scores, competency assessment scores, high school academic results, international examination results, and undergraduate results in related fields.

For postgraduate admissions, the university will continue to recruit for Specialist Doctor Level 1 training and Resident Doctor programmes. The Specialist Doctor Level 1 admissions (first intake) for 2024 concluded successfully in early June 2024, with over 200 candidates sitting examinations for six specialisations: Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Surgical Cardiovascular – Thoracic, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, and Otolaryngology. Notably, the Surgical Cardiovascular-Thoracic specialisation was introduced for the first time to meet high societal demand and reflect the university’s capabilities. Regarding the Resident Doctor programme, recruitment will be conducted for five specialisations: General Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Otolaryngology, and Internal Medicine, with the second intake scheduled for October 2024.

Could you share your anticipated plans for the university’s future development?

From its modest beginnings as the School of Medicine housed at the Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh City Administrative Building, through gradual infrastructure development, the university now possesses its own premises, including the YA1 administrative building, anatomy facilities, pre-clinical practice rooms, and a robust workforce of nearly 300 highly qualified lecturers, officials, and staff. These represent crucial initial resources, forming the foundation for the university’s progression into a new phase.

To prepare for this developmental trajectory, the university is strengthening its human resources and organisational structure, continuing to develop high-quality personnel to meet the training and research demands in the health sciences domain.

This year, the university plans to commence construction of three modern buildings – YB1, YB2, and YB3 – with a total construction area of approximately 8,300 square metres and floor area of 33,400 square metres, accommodating approximately 3,000 students. The construction funding will be sourced from the World Bank project (VUDP), serving educational and scientific research endeavours.

The university also aims to expand its training scope, establishing a Faculty of Public Health at the undergraduate level and working towards offering Advanced Specialist training at the postgraduate level. Simultaneously, we will fulfil high-quality scientific research and knowledge transfer obligations in health sciences; implement programmes for professional development and technological enhancement; provide health care consultancy and services; and conduct various medical and pharmaceutical activities.

Additionally, the university will collaborate with other member universities of Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City to deliver interdisciplinary training, becoming a centre for in-depth health sciences research based on the collective strength of the Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City system and international integration.

Currently, numerous students discover after some time at university that they have selected an inappropriate field, unsuitable for their personal attributes. Furthermore, scientific and technological applications such as ChatGPT and AI pose significant challenges to certain professions. Will these developments affect health-related disciplines in the future, Professor?

Selecting a field of study and profession constitutes a critical decision, significantly influencing one’s future and career. To make an appropriate decision, students must first understand their own preferences and aspirations. Subsequently, they need to gather information about their fields of interest, including job requirements, career prospects, advancement opportunities, and income levels.

In recent years, health sciences have consistently remained “in demand”, with an exceedingly high workforce requirement, as healthcare receives increasing attention in developing societies. However, this field also imposes stringent training requirements.

The advancement of AI and technologies such as ChatGPT has generated new opportunities whilst simultaneously presenting challenges to the labour market. Although AI will never directly eliminate anyone’s employment, those who effectively utilise AI may indeed do so. Therefore, we must maintain a readiness to adapt to technology and apply it to enhance our work efficiency.

Thank you, Professor.

Interview conducted by Cong Chuong