Indicators for University Autonomy in the Context of University 4.0: A Case Study of Hanoi University of Civil Engineering from Vietnam

Abstract

The pressure to adapt to the demands of the Industry 4.0 Revolution and to change to attract Generation Z to enroll in construction and civil engineering programs, among others, have emphasized the need for Industry 4.0-led autonomy in universities, including Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, Vietnam.

Generally, university autonomy has been regarded as an indispensable trend in Vietnam today. Legally, university autonomy is emphasized as a key issue in the Law on Higher Education amended in 2018. In fact, some universities in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have already applied this new concept but they all encountered various difficulties in the implementation. Consequently, the results may not be as positive as anticipated. The main reason for such a limited outcome, as well as a critical question to explore, is that a system of criteria followed by a full set of indicators has not yet been comprehensively developed.

In reaction to the transformations initiated by Industry 4.0, the concept of University 4.0 emerged. University 4.0 requires careful considerations of the digital transformation when universities start implementing autonomy mechanism. From an overview of the current situation of university autonomy in Vietnam with analyses of pre-requisite conditions, international experiences, surveys and expert consultation, 20 criteria based on three categories of university autonomy, namely Autonomy in Organization and Staffing, Autonomy in Financing and Property and most importantly Autonomy in Academic Issues, are proposed, with a total of 77 indicators which should be nationwide used as an informative guideline for universities and an effective assessment/management tool for the Ministry of Education and Training, the state agencies and even the Government. Selected indicators have been designed to align with the demands of the Industry 4.0 Revolution. The authors discuss this new concept as a more powerful instrument and its application in reality at Hanoi University of Civil Engineering from 2022 to date, which will facilitate the data collection and processing, as well as accelerate the approach of any university to such an innovative model in response to the real demand.