Building university cities

On the morning of September 12, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc worked with the leadership of Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU). Also attending were Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam and leaders of several ministries, sectors, and the Hanoi People's Committee.

Immediately after the working session, resolving the recommendations and problems of Hanoi National University, the Prime Minister directly went to the site to inspect the project construction work to turn the policy and determination to have a university urban area into reality, not "just sitting in the hall discussing forever".

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam work with VNU. Photo: VGP/Quang Hieu

Nearly a year ago, the Prime Minister had a working session with VNU to listen to its operations and give opinions on solutions for VNU's development.

At the beginning of today's working session, the Prime Minister proposed to go straight to the current recommendations and difficulties of VNU, especially the shortcomings in implementing the Prime Minister's instructions at the previous meeting, from which to find solutions.

Shortening the presentation on the results of recent activities, VNU Director Nguyen Kim Son focused on recommendations on the project to build VNU in Hoa Lac, which has been implemented since 2003 but has not yet been completed.

Mr. Nguyen Kim Son proposed that the Prime Minister direct the transfer of the Project Management Board from the Ministry of Construction to VNU; direct ministries, branches and the Hanoi People's Committee in site clearance and resettlement; Hanoi considers building a number of public works in Hoa Lac, and completes procedures to transfer land use rights in the cleared area.

VNU also proposed to be allowed to adjust the component plans to suit new requirements; allocate capital for site clearance and resettlement with the required capital of about 1,200 billion VND; and propose the Government to issue special regulations for the project like the policy for Hoa Lac High-Tech Park.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc visits staff and teachers of VNU. Photo: VGP/Quang Hieu

In response to the proposal of VNU and listening to the opinions of the members of the working group, the Prime Minister said that immediately after the meeting, he would go directly to the site to inspect the project construction work to turn the policy and determination to have a university urban area into reality, instead of "just sitting in the hall discussing forever".

The Prime Minister affirmed that to develop the country, education must be innovated. This is the source that leads the country forward. In that process, VNU plays an important role. The Government and the Prime Minister trust and expect VNU in the cause of innovation in education and training as well as contributing to the development of the country. VNU will play a pioneering role, leading the university system in innovation and integration. The Government always pays attention to the development conditions of VNU, especially the facilities.

With that spirit, the Prime Minister expressed his expectations for building university villages and university urban areas with VNU as the core.

Therefore, the Prime Minister agreed to re-plan the VNU urban area, focusing on State capital for site clearance. “In the future, any university that wants to join VNU on a voluntary and cooperative basis will be welcomed,” said the Prime Minister. We will have a number of mechanisms for the development of VNU, including mechanisms for site clearance, investment capital, and autonomy for member universities…

Regarding the proposal on the project to build VNU in Hoa Lac, the Prime Minister agreed to transfer the project management board from the Ministry of Construction to VNU, and at the same time delegated the investment decision to VNU. This is necessary because “the final product is VNU”. The spirit is for VNU to be more autonomous, proactive, and decisive.

In response to the proposal to direct ministries, branches, and the Hanoi People's Committee to coordinate in site clearance and resettlement, and to request Hanoi to consider building some public works in Hoa Lac, the Hanoi People's Committee to carry out procedures to transfer land use rights to VNU, etc.

The Prime Minister assigned Hanoi City to direct Thach That District to focus on site clearance and resettlement for projects and works being implemented; and to prevent encroachment and illegal construction. From the lesson of the Hoa Lac High-Tech Park project being delayed for 10 years due to site clearance, the Prime Minister said that lessons should be learned from the project to build the Vietnam National University in Hoa Lac.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc visits the model of the Master Plan of the Vietnam National University Urban Area. Photo: VGP/Quang Hieu

The Prime Minister agreed to have a separate mechanism for resettlement for the project; allowing VNU to adjust the detailed planning and component projects 1/500 to suit new requirements and tasks, similar to the case of VNU-HCM.

The Prime Minister agreed with the proposal of VNU to increase the budget for site clearance, resettlement and construction of essential works because "without good land, there can be no university urban area, no calling for investment, and no mobilizing social capital".

Regarding the proposal to approve the policy of borrowing ODA from the World Bank (WB) to invest in the construction of a number of key and urgent projects for VNU in Hoa Lac, the Prime Minister agreed and assigned the Ministry of Planning and Investment to preside over and coordinate with the Ministry of Finance and VNU to agree on a specific plan and report to the Prime Minister for decision.

Regarding the proposal for the Government to issue special regulations for the construction of VNU in Hoa Lac similar to the existing policies for Hoa Lac High-Tech Park, the Prime Minister said that there are legal regulations on construction projects and on June 20, the Prime Minister signed and issued Decree 74 stipulating special mechanisms and policies for Hoa Lac High-Tech Park. In a spirit of support, the Prime Minister assigned VNU to preside over and coordinate with relevant ministries and branches to propose special mechanisms and policies for the project of building VNU in Hoa Lac.

Regarding other recommendations such as: Piloting the mechanism of spending on final products for science and technology activities, the issue of emulation and rewards, salary review for professors and associate professors, etc., the Prime Minister expressed his support and assigned relevant ministries and branches to consider and resolve. Any issues that are beyond the authority should be reported to the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister hopes that with determination and a high sense of responsibility, with internal potential in terms of staff, facilities, modern equipment, especially with its experience and achievements, VNU will be a pioneer, leading in making important contributions to the development and implementation of activities to fundamentally and comprehensively innovate education.

Immediately after the working session, the Prime Minister and the delegation inspected a number of locations implementing the project to build VNU in Hoa Lac.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his delegation inspected some locations of the project to build Vietnam National University, Hanoi in Hoa Lac. Photo: VGP/Quang Hieu

Photo: VGP/Quang Hieu

According to Chinhphu.vn