Tay Bac University is a higher education institution of a regional nature. To develop sustainably, it must ask and answer strategic questions: in which direction to develop, where its core strengths lie and how to make the most of its advantages. These were the suggestions of Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son when working with the key leaders of Tay Bac University on 28 September in Son La.
The session was attended by representatives of the leadership of the Viet Nam Education Trade Union, leaders of several departments of the Ministry of Education and Training and leaders of the Son La Department of Education and Training.
The working session
Preparing the conditions to become a regional university
Reporting at the session, Dr. Nguyen Van Dinh, Rector, said that Tay Bac University was established in 2001 (its predecessor being the Lower Secondary Teacher Training School of the Thai–Meo Autonomous Region) and is the only higher education institution in the Northwest region. Since its establishment, it has been defined as a multidisciplinary, application-oriented university of high reputation and quality.
In 2023–2025, the University worked hard to overcome difficulties and achieved many notable results: maintaining a training scale of about 6,000 students, with over 90% of graduates employed; opening new programmes and developing a relatively complete range of teacher education programmes from preschool to upper secondary level; completing institutional accreditation and conducting self-assessment of 24 programmes; promoting research with 19 ministry-level science and technology projects and 44 international publications (WoS/Scopus); and signing 8 memoranda of understanding and cooperation agreements with foreign partners, with special emphasis on cooperation with nine northern provinces of Laos.
Dr. Nguyen Van Dinh, Rector of Tay Bac University, reports at the session
However, the University also faces difficulties, such as a limited number of highly qualified staff, small admission numbers and student body, limited finances, facilities that are not yet comprehensive, and difficulties with land procedures and the final settlement of completed construction projects.
In terms of development orientation, Tay Bac University aims in 2025–2030 to be a key teacher training institution while preparing the conditions to become a regional university, and in 2031–2035 to develop into the Northwest Regional University.
Mr. Le Dinh Nghi, Director of the Department of Personnel and Organisation, notes several issues regarding personnel and financial autonomy
The University’s leaders also made recommendations to the Ministry on its mission to develop as a multidisciplinary university and one of 14 key teacher training institutions in Viet Nam; its orientation to become a regional university; its development into a key centre for science, technology and innovation; and its mission of training Lao students.
Participants at the working session
Leaders of several units of the Ministry exchanged views and clarified issues regarding the reorganisation of internal units, the consolidation of management positions, recruitment, financial autonomy, training and admissions, national defence and security education, and international cooperation, especially the training of Lao students.
Clearly defining its “niche” and developing with confidence
Speaking at the session, Minister Nguyen Kim Son acknowledged the efforts and achievements of the University’s leaders, staff, lecturers and students in overcoming difficulties.
According to the Minister, alongside its specific difficulties, Tay Bac University has many advantages to seize: the special attention of the Party and State to mountainous areas and ethnic minority communities in general and the Northwest in particular; ample space for development; and the advantages of a multidisciplinary institution.
To make the most of this potential, the University should boldly choose its “distinctive” features, clearly define a suitable “niche”, be confident in setting a long-term development strategy, and take firm steps, doing each task well in each specific period to lay the foundation for sustainable development.
Minister Nguyen Kim Son speaks at the working session
The Minister asked Tay Bac University to focus on its core mission of training human resources to meet the socio-economic development needs of the locality and region, and to expand its scale while ensuring quality. The University should strengthen joint training programmes with other higher education institutions and expand domestic and international cooperation to improve the quality of training and research.
Although it is a multidisciplinary institution, the Minister noted that the University should clearly identify spearhead fields for focused investment, including teacher training to address teacher shortages; training in agriculture and forestry linked to increasing the added value of local agricultural products; fields serving the two-tier local government model; and training in the languages and cultures of the ethnic groups of the Northwest to help preserve and promote regional cultural identity.
He also suggested important orientations and solutions for the coming period, including improving the organisational model and operating methods to meet development requirements; investing in and upgrading facilities for training, research and practice; and closely linking research with the practical needs of the locality and businesses.
Announcement of the decision recognising the Rector of Tay Bac University
On the same day, a ceremony was held to announce the Minister’s decision recognising Dr. Nguyen Van Dinh as Rector of Tay Bac University for the 2025–2030 term.
Minister Nguyen Kim Son presents the decision recognising Dr. Nguyen Van Dinh as Rector of Tay Bac University
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Nguyen Kim Son congratulated the University and Dr. Nguyen Van Dinh. He emphasised that the appointment of a new rector also marks a new stage of development, opening up many opportunities and expectations for good results in the future.
The Minister noted that, together with the joy and expectations of the Ministry, the Northwest region and the whole University, a heavy responsibility now rests on Dr. Nguyen Van Dinh’s shoulders. On the journey ahead, the new Rector needs to show a pioneering spirit, courage and intellect to lead the University to strong development and ever greater contributions to education and regional socio-economic development.
Minister Nguyen Kim Son poses for a souvenir photo with participants
Looking back on more than 60 years of development, the Minister acknowledged and highly appreciated Tay Bac University’s great contributions to the country, especially in training and supplying quality human resources for the Northwest and Son La Province, and thanked generations of its leaders, staff and lecturers for building this proud tradition.
In the face of new requirements, the Minister asked the University to develop even faster and boldly adjust its thinking, orientation and development path towards a modern university model that retains the distinctive identity of the Northwest. He expressed confidence that Tay Bac University can fully achieve this through its own inner strength, together with the attention and support of all levels, sectors and the locality.
Source: Centre for Communication and Events – Ministry of Education and Training
