CafeF - Presidents of VinUni, BUV, Dai Nam… discuss the new university model in the age of AI, where students need more than just a degree.

Hundreds of thousands of students graduate from university every year, but how many of them truly feel proud and happy when they look back on their time in college?

This question was raised at the workshop "Creating Happy Universities in Vietnam: From Vision to Action," organized by Dai Nam University in collaboration with Soha.vn on May 22nd, with the participation of many education experts, university leaders, and business representatives.

An online survey conducted by Soha.vn with over 9,200 students at 10 universities revealed that more than 33% of students had considered changing majors if given the chance to choose again; nearly 20% were not truly proud of their current university. Among alumni, 68% rated the university's support in job placement poorly, and one-fifth gave it a perfect "0".

According to Mr. Bui Ngoc Hai, Director of Soha.vn and Head of the Organizing Committee of the conference, these figures reflect the growing insecurity of young people in the context of AI rapidly changing the labor market.

"Today's generation seems to have many things: foreign languages, technology, opportunities for development, but in reality, a segment of young people truly lack mental stability, or in other words, have not found true happiness in their studies, work, and contributions to the country," Mr. Hai said.

He argued that if university is "the final preparation for life," then it should not only be a place to impart knowledge but also a place to "teach the younger generation how to live, work, and contribute happily."

A happy university doesn't mean less pressure.

One of the most frequently discussed topics at the conference was the concept of a "happy university." However, according to the speakers, this does not necessarily mean a stress-free or easy environment.

Dr. Le Dac Son - Chairman of the Board of Dai Nam University - believes that higher education today needs to aim for "long-term happiness," instead of short-term pleasures such as easy studying, easy exams, or high grades.

He emphasized that the lasting happiness of young people does not come from a prestigious degree, but from the feeling of confidence in being able to stand firm on their own abilities in the face of life's challenges.

According to him, a happy university must help students develop genuine competence, independence, and the ability to adapt to a rapidly changing society, especially in the age of AI.

From a different perspective, Dr. Le Mai Lan - Vice President of Vingroup, Chairwoman of the VinUniversity School Board - argues that many schools today are too focused on "satisfaction," while what is more important is creating "pride."

According to her, student satisfaction keeps students coming back, but pride is what brings alumni back. "The model we are pursuing is: building a university that fosters pride," she said.

Starting this year, VinUni will implement "experience profiles" and "capabilities profiles" alongside traditional diplomas, documenting all of students' projects, AI skills, international experiences, and personal development journeys.

"Universities are not a business model for education. Students are not customers. We don't provide services. We are an educational institution. And students are our companions," she emphasized.

Higher education must change in the age of AI.

Speaking at the conference, Professor Rick Bennett, Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President of the British University Vietnam (BUV), stated that universities today must not only train human resources but also contribute to nurturing individuals who are competent, responsible, and adaptable in a rapidly changing world.

"Studies show that students who learn in a happy and engaged environment tend to have more opportunities for success and feel more satisfied in their future work," he said.

According to Professor Rick Bennett, "happiness" in education needs to be translated into specific criteria such as academic quality, career competence, learning environment, and the real value that students receive. "We believe that quality is the core foundation for creating happy individuals in education," he emphasized.

Associate Professor Tran Thanh Nam - Vice Rector of the University of Education, Vietnam National University, Hanoi - believes that higher education in the age of AI cannot simply focus on imparting knowledge but must also help learners develop their personal strengths, self-learning abilities, and mental health.

"Genius is born from joy," he said, because only when learners feel happy, inspired, and developing themselves can they be creative and achieve breakthroughs.

According to him, many students today are under immense pressure regarding their studies and future careers, while adaptability and lifelong learning will become increasingly important in the context of rapidly developing AI.

Beyond discussing emotions or the learning environment, many speakers at the conference also emphasized the need for innovation in higher education in the face of rapidly changing society.

Professor Nguyen Van Noi, former Rector of the University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, believes that universities need to maintain academic depth but cannot become an "academic fortress" detached from real life. According to the professor, training programs need to be continuously updated to keep pace with new technologies such as AI and Blockchain.

Sharing the same view, Professor Nguyen Huu Ninh - Chairman of the Management Board of the Center for Environmental Research, Education and Development - believes that the most important thing in the AI era is no longer memorizing knowledge, but the ability to adapt.

"A good university is not about producing people who excel in exams, but about producing people who are capable of adapting to the unprecedented changes in human society while maintaining their integrity, creativity, and happiness," Professor Ninh said.

Businessman Pham Huy Phong - CEO of Mainetti Vietnam and CPO of Mainetti Group globally - believes that a happy university cannot be limited to activities that create short-term positive emotions.

"To achieve lasting happiness, schools need to help students and faculty develop deeper competencies such as self-awareness, gratitude, the ability to listen, resilience, cooperation, and responsibility to the community," he said.