Speaking at the working session with Hue University on the afternoon of September 6, 2026, Minister Vu Hai Quan stressed that scientific works in social sciences, humanities, and arts should be recognized based on the value they create for the nation and society. Contributions in policy advisory, criticism, and formulation, as well as cultural preservation and artistic creation, can generate immense value, even if they are not necessarily reflected in the number of international publications.
Minister Vu Hai Quan speaks at the working session.
According to the Minister, social sciences, humanities, and arts must not only produce research outcomes but also demonstrate clear, practical contributions to national development and social life. Many projects, despite not being prominent in international publication counts, hold significant value in advisory and policy critique, cultural preservation, literary and artistic creation, and the enhancement of the spiritual life of the people.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Thi Xuan Dung, Vice President of Hue University, presents a report on the university's research, scientific and technological development, and innovation activities.
Therefore, alongside international publications, it is essential to establish an appropriate evaluation mechanism that considers practical impact and social contribution as vital criteria.
The Minister requested researching, developing, and launching a nationwide pilot program for social sciences, humanities, and arts, while establishing a specialized council to evaluate projects based on their real-world impact and tangible value.
For higher education institutions, along with promoting university autonomy and developing the team of professors and associate professors, it is necessary to consider incorporating projects with positive impacts on policy, culture, and society into the evaluation criteria. This will ensure full and substantive recognition of the contributions made by scientists and artists.
Overview of the working session
Minister Vu Hai Quan requested Hue University to continue leveraging its research strengths while paying greater attention to works that generate practical impacts on policy, culture, and social life. This serves as a foundation to more comprehensively evaluate the value and contributions of social sciences, humanities, and arts.
During the 2021–2025 period, the university carried out 35 national-level science and technology tasks. The number of international journal articles increased from 522 in 2021 to 895 in 2025.
