INTRODUCTION OF SCHOOL OF MEDICINE – VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY HO CHI MINH CITY

2023-06-20 10:00:00

I. School of Medicine and Doctor of Medicine programme

The School of Medicine – Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (SoM) was established in 2009, and has positioned it as one of the most esteemed educational institutions in Vietnam, renowned for its high-quality medical education. Our mission is to enhance and fortify innovative and rigorous teaching and training programmes in Vietnam, with the aim of fostering the development of future generations of medical professionals. We have the confidence and capability of providing a quality and influential education that will serve the nation as well as the society as a whole.

As an affiliate unit of the VNU-HCM, The SoM is devoted to the areas of Medicine, Pharmacy, Odonto-Stomatology, Nursing and Traditional Medicine, all of which offer integrated training programmes that meet international standards. English is used as the primary language of instruction and research at all of the School’s active and innovative training programmes. The degrees conferred by the Chancellor of VNU-HCM and the Dean of the SoM are recognized within the national education system and hold validity throughout the country.

The SoM has set forth the mission to transition into the University of Health Sciences at the end of the next year, a member of the VNU-HCM organisation. Besides building a 500-bed teaching hospital, the SoM is determined to establish itself as the premier medical human resource training institution, examination centre, and medical research centre in East Ho Chi Minh City, as well as throughout the country.

Vision, mission, core values, educational philosophy of the SoM are as follows:

Vision

Becoming an advanced and prestigious Health Sciences University in the region.

Mission

Training qualified and competent healthcare professionals to fulfil the national health needs; doing research; applying and implementing advanced scientific and technical achievements; connecting with the VNU-HCM’s internal strength and being international integration.

Core values

With the mission and vision to become an advanced and prestigious Health Sciences University in the region; the core values of the SoM are summarised: “Humanity – Professionality – Dynamic – Creativity”.

Educational philosophy

The University aims to train students to become fully capable and qualified professionals aligning with the vision, mission and core values of the University. The educational philosophy of the SoM centers around empowering learners to gain the necessary competencies and qualities, and prepare a solid foundation for the real-life integration and future career pathways. The educational philosophy of the SoM can be briefly summarised: “Holistic education – Student-centred approach”. This philosophy helps to train learners in applying and enhancing the knowledge from the fundamental basics to laboratory practices and finally through hands-on experience, active learning and applied research to meet the needs and expectations of employers and society at large.

Inauguration Ceremony of Y.A1 Administration Building, School of Medicine – VNUHCM, featuring a speech by Assoc. Prof. PhD. Vu Hai Quan

II. Current status of the SoM

Training

  • The Undergraduate training:

The SoM has been actively recruiting students since 2010. At present, the following five programmes are under operation: Medicine, Pharmacy, Odonto-Stomatology, Traditional Medicine, and Nursing. There are currently 1,400 students enrolled in these programmes. The advanced training courses provided by the SoM are designed by the country’s leading experts as well as renowned medical institutions worldwide and leading international experts, ensuring alignment with the global development trends. Specifically, since the start of the Medical programme in the SoM in 2010 until 31st March, 2023, a total of 845 students have enrolled in the programme, which accounts for 60% of the total enrolment of the School, and 692 medical doctors have successfully graduated from seven courses (from 2016 – currently).

  • Postgraduate education:

SoM offers postgraduate education in 5 majors of training that allow enrolment as a Specialist Level 1 doctor in Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Otorhinolaryngology and a residency programme in Surgery. Enrolment for the Specialist Level 1 programme in four majors is scheduled for 27th May, 2023, and the residency programme in Surgery will be introduced in 2023. Currently, four completed specialties at the SoM are awaiting the Ministry of Health’s decision regarding enrolment as Specialist Level 1 doctors in Internal Medicine, as well as the enrolment of resident doctors specialising in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, and Otolaryngology. Following a review by VNU-HCM, the proposal to initiate a master’s degree program in Otorhinolaryngology and Surgery has received approval and will be submitted to the Ministry of Education and Training for further consideration.

  • On continuing medical education:

SoM offers a diverse range of continuing medical education programmes, covering various topics include Reproductive Health, Otorhinolaryngology, Paediatric Psychiatry, clinical teaching – learning methods of health professionals (for those who are already active in the health sector), etc. These programmes aim to provide ongoing professional development opportunities for healthcare practitioners.

Facilities

The Y.A1 Administrative Building, located within the VNU-HCM Urban Area, encompasses approximately 4,000 square meters and comprises 38 office spaces and function rooms (in the planning area of 20.64 hectares of the SoM/University of Health Science – Practical Hospital). A total of 20 classrooms are available to the students at the VNU-HCM Headquarters Building and the Institute of Environment and Resources. These rooms are equipped with essential teaching and learning equipment to facilitate effective student engagement.

Within the university’s Campus 2, specifically in the Headquarters Building, House C22, University of Science, there are 22 dedicated laboratories and practice facilities. Provided by different schools and units of VNU-HCM, these facilities cater to the teaching and research needs of SoM in the field of health sciences. Therefore, SoM can conduct research in diverse areas such as stem cells, biotechnology, biomedical engineering, materials technology, substance chemistry, food, infectious diseases, bioinformatics, etc., as well as other fields related to these areas.

As part of the shared facilities system of VNU-HCM, the SoM has access to other amenities, including the Dormitory, Central Library, and Cultural House, as well as specialised laboratories offered by VNUHCM member universities. Furthermore, the SoM has established a training cooperation agreement with specialised and leading hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City, enabling the implementation of clinical training for the students.  

Staff

As of 31st March, 2023 SoM employed a total of 271 staff members, including lecturers, officers, and support staff. Among them, there were 191 full-time lecturers and prominent experts, as well as 80 support staff members. A significant proportion (approximately 83.2%) of the teaching staff possessed postgraduate qualifications. These include 08 professors, 09 associate professors, 46 PhDs/Specialist Level 2 doctors (excluding professors and associate professors). In the field of health and management, 96 Masters/Resident doctors/Specialist level 1 doctors are registered, meeting the necessary quantity and professional qualifications to deliver high-quality training and conduct scientific research.