Integrating the new orientations of the 14th National Party Congress into teaching and research

How can the new orientations set out in the documents of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam be effectively integrated into university teaching, research, and students’ intellectual development? This question was at the heart of the 2026 National Scientific Conference on Theoretical and Practical Issues, hosted by Hanoi University of Industry (HaUI) on June 27, bringing together scholars from 68 universities, academies, and research institutes across the country.

Opening the conference, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Van Dong, Vice President of Hanoi University of Industry, emphasized that the new directions outlined in the documents of the 14th National Party Congress call for fundamental changes in higher education, ranging from curriculum content and research priorities to approaches for developing students’ competencies. He noted that universities are expected not only to impart knowledge but also to cultivate scientific thinking, innovation, national self-reliance, and the aspiration to contribute to the country's development. In this context, political theory and legal education play a vital role in shaping students’ awareness, responsibility, and capacity to meet the demands of a new era.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Van Dong, Vice President of Hanoi University of Industry, delivers the opening remarks at the conference

The conference programme reflected these priorities through a plenary session and three parallel panel discussions, where participants examined a wide range of theoretical and practical issues facing higher education. Topics included the socialist rule-of-law state, law implementation, human resource development, lifelong learning, and the application of Ho Chi Minh's thought in contemporary contexts. Despite their diverse perspectives, the presentations shared a common objective: identifying effective ways to integrate the key orientations of the 14th National Party Congress into teaching, research, and academic practice.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Thong, former Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Ideology and Culture and former Secretary General of the Central Theoretical Council, shares insights into key theoretical and practical issues during the plenary session.

Dr. Vu Thi Hong Van, Dean of the Faculty of Political Theory and Law at Hanoi University of Industry, addresses the conference

The discussions that followed were marked by lively exchanges and thoughtful debate. Participants agreed that incorporating the 14th National Party Congress into higher education should not be limited to updating teaching materials. Instead, it calls for more innovative teaching approaches that connect theory with real-world issues, encourage critical thinking, and strengthen the relationship between universities and the country's development priorities.

Dr. Vu Thi Hoai Phuong, former Senior Lecturer at the Regional Academy of Politics, presents on law implementation in the socialist rule-of-law state in line with the spirit of the 14th National Party Congress.

Dr. Le Thi Vinh, lecturer at the Faculty of Philosophy, VNU University of Social Sciences and Humanities, shares perspectives on lifelong learning and student competency development through political theory education.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Huyen Trang of Trade Union University presents a paper on international solidarity in Ho Chi Minh Thought and the concept of “strategic autonomy” in the Documents of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam.

The conference underscored the importance of advancing political theory and legal education in response to the country's new development requirements. The perspectives, practical experiences, and recommendations shared by scholars will continue to support innovation in teaching and research across higher education institutions.

It also reaffirmed a broader mission of higher education. Universities are expected not only to equip students with knowledge but also to cultivate critical thinking, strengthen civic responsibility, and inspire a lasting commitment to serving the nation. By bringing theoretical discussions closer to educational practice, the conference contributed to a shared vision of the university as a place where knowledge, values, and aspirations are developed together.