The year 2017 has officially ended, and when looking back, Ton Duc Thang University (TDTU), realized that with endless efforts of the collective faculties, staff members, and students, the University has done various important things to take solid steps towards becoming one of the world's top 500 research universities. Here are the top 10 landmarks in 2017.
1. TDTU welcomed many prominent politicians
On the 5th of September, TDTU honorably welcomed Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan on the occasion of the new academic year. She expected the University to continue to exert itself vigorously to become a role model in the system of university education in Vietnam.
On September 23rd, TDTU welcomed Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh during the 20th Anniversary of the establishment of the University. The Vice President also offered 20 scholarships to hard-working students who attempt to overcome adversity to continue their studies.
On November 9th, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made an official visit to TDTU and had an intimate armchair discussion with the lecturers, staff members and students.
2. TDTU received honorable prizes and certificates
In September, according to the Vietnamese University Ranking Chart by the independent research team of domestic and foreign scholars, TDTU was ranked second nationwide. In particular, in Science & Technology and Knowledge Creation criteria, University topped in the last three years among universities in Vietnam.
On the occasion of its 20th anniversary, TDTU was honorably awarded the Government's Emulation Flag for its outstanding achievements by the Prime Minister, leading the Emulation Group of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor. The President of Lao People's Democratic Republic was also awarded the Medal of Friendship on this important event.
At the end of the year 2017, TDTU is in the TOP 250 world's leading universities of sustainable development in the UI Greenmetric World University Ranking.
3. TDTU expanded and improved the quality of science and technology
On March 22, TDTU launched the Journal of Information and Telecomunication (JIT), the first English Journal of the University published by Taylor & Francis Publishing (UK). Shortly thereafter, it launched the Journal of Advanced Engineering and Computation (JAEC) on June 8th.
In 2017, TDTU received three additional patents from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (UPSTO). TDTU is the first and only university in Vietnam to possess 7 US patents out of a total of 25 patents in Vietnam so far.
In particular, according to the 2017 Nature Index of scientific research in countries around the world, TDTU is ranked No. 1 in the system of universities in Vietnam.
4. A range of national and international scientific-technological, cultural and sports events were organized
With facilities of international standard and experience in organizing professional events, in 2017 TDTU hosted and organized many major educational-cultural-sports events such as 05 international conferences on: environmental finance (ICIEF 2017), sports management (ICSM 2017), finance and economy (ICFE 2017), tourism and marine-tourism (TMT 2017), advanced technology solutions-theory and application (AETA 2017). Besides that University organized: Finnish school day 2017; Czech education fair, South-East Asian cultural exchange, Vietnam-Thailand-Laos festival 2017, Vietnamese-Korean art performance, International spot exhibition, conference on investment promotion and tourism development in Lâm Đồng Province and Hồ Chí Minh City final robotics contest.
5. TDTU expanded its educational integration globally both in scale and in depth
In 2017, TDTU made a great effort to cooperate with prestigious organizations and universities around the world creating opportunities for students to approach international knowledge through cross-border courses and public lectures with renowned professors and specialists. TDTU welcomed a large number of overseas students from USA, France, Sweden, Belgium, Denmark, Japan and Korea.
On August 8th TDTU inaugurated an English learning space using a model called "The Little UK" (miniature England) applying state-of-the art methodology and aiming to develop students’ thinking and skills which would help them use the English language independently to become global citizens.
On August 29th Colorcon Inc. (USA) inaugurated a Technical Support Center at TDTU for the development of tablet formulas, film coatings, and sugar coatings. This is the 21st laboratory of the company and the first laboratory in Vietnam to support learning-teaching, practicing, experimenting and developing pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical film markets in Vietnam.
On the 4th of December, Professor Peter Mascher, Vice President of McMaster University and Dr. Tran Trong Dao, vice president of TDTU, signed a cooperation agreement between the two universities in the presence of the Governor and the delegation of the state of Ontario (Canada). McMaster University, founded in 1887, is one of Canada's top four universities in the top 100 universities in the world.
On the 12th of December, the delegation of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, along with former international students of the Kingdom of Cambodia, visited and worked with TDTU. On this occasion, TDTU has discussed with the delegation about the possibility of cooperation with Cambodian universities and announced the scholarship policies of the University for Cambodian students.
On December 23rd, TDTU welcomed the delegation of Myanmar-Vietnam Friendship Association to visit and work. TDTU and the delegation discussed important matters on the possibility of cooperation between TDTU and the universities of Myanmar, the scholarship policies for Myanmar students as well as the activities aiming at creating opportunities for Myanmar's young generation to study at TDTU.
6. TDTU rapidly expanded a network of cordial relationship with enterprises for learning-teaching and research activities
TDTU made many important cooperation agreements with international and national enterprises. The network of cordial relationship expanded with over 100 organizations and young enterprises. Collaboration with enterprises is an important strategy of TDTU to have close and efficient connection in teaching-learning, research activities, application and transfer among the University and enterprises while promoting the development of both partners as well as ensuring the commitment to guarantee employment of all students after graduation.
7. Trade Union activities were exciting and flourishing
In 2017, the 7th term of University Trade Union Congress, the 4th term of Youth Union Congress, the 4th term of Congress of Student Association and extracurricular activities of TDTU continuously took place with a variety of innovations including TDTU students start-up journey, book festival "New horizons", competition "Golden Bell", “Balloon Run 2017”, Folk Game Festival 2017, traditional festival to celebrate the University 20th anniversary, TDTU Games 2017, TDTU's Got Talent 2017 and mamy more.
8. TDTU inaugurated a number of projects of international standard
On March 22nd, TDTU inaugurated High Performance Computing (HPC). Total investment for this system is $2 million and will be deployed in 3 stages. This is the first super-computer to be invested in by the University's budget in the system of Vietnamese universities.
On the 15th of July TDT inaugurated the Inspire Library (TDTU Inspire Library) designed by TDTU lecturers and students with the model of self-study learning space, including overnight self-study zone 24/7 and 7 floors. This is the number one modern library in Vietnam so far.
Also in 2017, TDTU has inaugurated and put into use many facilities for teaching and research including: two specialized online classrooms, modern Hall F and Environmental Observation Laboratory. These are the facilities that University invest in under international standards to increase the level of education and science & technology at TDTU, so as to be compatible with the demand to adjust to the 4.0 teaching methodology in the near future.
9. Tens of thousands of high school students all over the country experience their lives as TDT students
The journey of TDTU student internship continued to be an exciting extra-curricular activity for tens of thousands of students all over the country with a focus on distance learning as a full-time student giving students an opportunity to understand university life, engage them in learning as they had a clear career orientation, health promotion, life skills development and the right future choice.
10. Carry out the foundation activities for sustainable development in the long run
According to statistics from the Ministry of Education and Training, TDTU is among the top 10 universities with the highest number of student enrolment in the nationwide university enrolment for 2017. In 2017, TDTU also held the first two-year training at Bao Loc campus, Bao Loc City, Lam Dong province in order to prepare for the development of the 50ha campus. This will be a good foundation to help University develop and realize its long-term goals.
The university has been associated with a lot of the world’s oldest and traditional universities of the top 500 and 200 of the world to develop comprehensive education, science-technology and development cooperation. Among them are Charles University of the Czech Republic, University of Dresden-Germany; McMaster University-Canada, University of Trieste-Italy, Seoul National University – Korea.
TDTU has established a key Polymer laboratory with Tomas Bata University-Czech Republic and the Vietnam Rubber Group; has built Institute of Natural Products Research with Seoul National University – Korea, has established the Finnish Focal Point in Vietnam. In the same year, TDTU started the construction of the Vietnam-Finland International School; worked with QS Stars to organize the appraisal and raise the school’s star rating to 4 stars in 2018, contracted and implemented school accreditation with HCERES as well as school and program audits with AUN-QA in 2018.
