Academic Research Conference of NAPA Students, Academic Year 2023-2024

In accordance with the NAPA’s annual work plan for organizing an Academic Research Conference (ARC), on July 12, 2024, at the Main Hall, the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) held the Academic Research Conference of NAPA Students for the academic year 2023-2024. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien, NAPA President, attended the Conference.

Attending the Conference were also Assoc. Prof. Dr. Luong Thanh Cuong, Assoc. Dr. Nguyen Quoc Suu, NAPA Vice Presidents; leaders of NAPA units; representatives of NAPA HCYU; NAPA lecturers and students.

The Conference was held both in-person and online, connecting to NAPA’s three campuses in Ho Chi Minh City, Quang Nam Province, and Dak Lak Province.

In his opening speech, Dr. Dang Thanh Le, Director of the Institute for Administrative Studies, stated that the ARC for students is an annual activity organized to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge in innovative and academic research activities. It also aims to create an academic environment that fosters students’ passion and creativity, thus enhancing their knowledge and skills and enabling them to achieve high results in their studies and future careers.

This is the second year after the merger of Hanoi University of Home Affairs into NAPA that the annual conference has been held, affirming that students’ academic research activities are an important and increasingly substantial aspect. NAPA Board of Directors pays special attention to and highly values student research activities for their theoretical and practical application, which play an important role in helping students consolidate and enhance their knowledge, apply knowledge uniquely, and spread the passion for academic research among all NAPA students. This strengthens the bond between lecturers and students in research activities and throughout their studies at NAPA, as well as after graduation. This is a significant value recognized and appreciated by NAPA, aiming towards the core value of “Intelligence – Quality – Modernity.”

At the Conference, on behalf of the NAPA academic research management unit, Dr. Nguyen Minh San, Deputy Director of the Institute for Administrative Studies, presented a summary of the NAPA students’ academic research activities for the academic year 2023-2024 and the directions and tasks for the academic year 2024-2025.

Implementing the student academic research plan for the academic year 2023-2024 and the Regulation on Managing Student Academic Research Activities of NAPA issued with Decision No. 1089/QD-HCQG dated April 24, 2023, by the NAPA President, the functional units have carried out the decentralized management of student research projects at the Faculty/Campus level and the institutional level. The student academic research activities of NAPA have been implemented throughout the entire system, ensuring progress, quality, and results as required.

In the academic year 2023-2024, the total number of student research projects assigned by the NAPA President was 130 projects, with nearly 400 students participating. Among them: 119 projects were evaluated, accepted, and presented to the NAPA President for recognition by the Faculty/Campus; 3 projects did not meet the requirements; 8 projects requested to be discontinued; 29 projects were proposed by the Faculties/Campuses to participate at the institutional level, and 19 projects received awards.

According to the project assignment decision, 122 lecturers were assigned to guide 122 student groups that completed their research projects. The content, themes, and results of the students’ research projects evaluated at the Faculty/Campus level were diverse, reflecting many urgent issues in various fields related to different training majors and disciplines. The results of the student research projects evaluated at the Faculty/Campus level showed that the student groups demonstrated a learning spirit, passion, research thinking capability, and methodology. They effectively applied their knowledge and skills to solve practical issues.

Following the 2023-2024 annual work plan and the decision to assign student research project supervisors, the Faculties/Campuses have proactively developed and implemented research plans for lecturers and students. A total of 130 projects were assigned, with 122 projects evaluated, accepted, and recognized for their results (accounting for 93.8%).

Results from organizing the ARC for students at the Faculty/Campus level in 10 units, including 8 faculties and 2 NAPA campuses (in Ho Chi Minh City and Quang Nam province), proposed 29 of the most outstanding projects to participate in institutional ARC of NAPA students for the 2023-2024 academic year. Among these, 2 projects have articles published in ISSN journals.

According to the conclusion of the Appraisal Committee (established under Decision No. 4059/QD-HCQG dated June 25, 2024, of the NAPA President), 29 out of 122 projects were evaluated at the ARC of NAPA students for the 2023-2024 academic year. The committee selected 19 of the most outstanding projects involving 57 students to be awarded at the institutional level, including 2 first prizes, 3 second prizes, 6 third prizes, and 8 consolation prizes. Consequently, 19 supervising lecturers were also awarded at the institutional level, including 2 first prizes, 3 second prizes, 6 third prizes, and 8 consolation prizes.

At the Conference, representatives of the student research groups participating at the institutional level presented summaries of their research findings.

On behalf of the students participating in academic research activities, student Dang Bao An from the Faculty of Social Management expressed gratitude to the lecturers who have always accompanied, inspired, and fostered a love for academic research. Thanks were also extended to NAPA and the Research Council for creating a valuable platform and opportunities for participation and academic debate and providing invaluable feedback to complete the research projects successfully.

Alongside the students’ academic research activities and the research group’s efforts, the guidance from lecturers plays a crucial role in determining the quality of the research project.

Sharing experiences and guiding students in academic research activities, Ms. Nguyen Thi Quynh from the Faculty of Human Resource Management stated that academic research is demanding work that requires passion, perseverance, effort, and determination. Therefore, she encouraged students to leverage their strengths and youthful enthusiasm to pursue a passion for academic research. This pursuit will help students acquire various soft skills to apply in practical situations after graduation, such as teamwork skills, critical thinking, presentation skills, creative thinking, and problem-solving skills.

During the 2023-2024 academic research activities, the research groups continuously strived and achieved deserving results. Mr. Le Van Khai, Head of Division, Institute of Administrative Studies, announced the decisions to reward students who won prizes in the institutional-level academic research activities for the 2023-2024 academic year, as well as the lecturers and students with outstanding achievements in the institutional-level student academic research activities for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Accordingly, the rewards for students who won prizes in the 2023-2024 academic research activities are 2 First Prizes, 3 Second Prizes, 6 Third Prizes, and 8 Consolation Prizes. Additionally, 19 lecturers who guided students in academic research were awarded by the NAPA President at the institutional level, including 2 First Prizes, 3 Second Prizes, 6 Third Prizes, and 8 Consolation Prizes. Furthermore, 3 collectives with outstanding achievements in student academic research activities were presented to the NAPA President for commendation; specifically, First Prize: Faculty of State and Law, Second Prize: Faculty of Social Management, and Third Prize: Faculty of Economic Management.

Speaking at the Conference, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien acknowledged the contributions of all faculty members and students, affirming the importance of the ARC.

He also emphasized that academic research is identified as one of the three key tasks in the development strategy of NAPA. Specifically, student academic research activities are one of the important tasks that the NAPA Party Committee and the Board of Directors are particularly concerned about, aiming to develop and enhance research capabilities for students, contributing to the training of high-quality human resources for NAPA and the home affairs sector in general. In the near future, to create a favorable environment for student academic research, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien proposed the following actions to be implemented by faculties, departments, units, faculty members, and students:

(1) Faculties/campuses, and the Institute of Administrative Studies continue to develop and implement plans and student academic research activities, creating the most favorable environment for students to enhance innovative thinking, creativity, and independent research capabilities. Leaders of faculties/campuses are responsible for managing, guiding, and organizing student academic research activities to ensure compliance with procedures, schedules, and quality standards.

(2) Faculties/campuses promote an academic research movement among students, igniting their passion for academic research, thereby enhancing the educational quality of NAPA in new contexts.

(3) Student academic research activities must be integrated with specialized knowledge training activities, linking theoretical knowledge with practical applications.

(4) Knowledge, skills, and academic research methods training classes will be organized for students to enhance the quality of academic research.