A happy university doesn't lull young people into complacency with comfort.

Some students graduate with impressive degrees… but are afraid to enter the real world. Others experience pressure, setbacks, and numerous challenges during their university years… but later mature, become confident, and possess the capabilities to go far. So, what constitutes a happy university?

That question became the central theme of 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.

It is noteworthy that the workshop did not discuss a "low-pressure" environment, nor did it advocate turning universities into places that pamper students. On the contrary, many opinions suggested that a truly happy university should be a place that equips young people with the necessary skills and confidence to enter life with resilience.

Happiness doesn't lie in having an easier workload.

One of the viewpoints that received much agreement at the conference came from Dr. Le Dac Son - Chairman of the Board of Dai Nam University: "A happy university is not a place without pressure, but a place that helps people grow, become stronger, and have the necessary skills to enter life."

According to him, the most dangerous aspect of education is not the pressure, but the training of young people who lack adaptability, practical skills, and direction after graduation.

Life outside of university is never easy. AI is changing careers every day. Businesses are constantly changing their requirements. Knowledge can become outdated very quickly. If university only offers a comfortable feeling but doesn't equip students with the necessary skills to face reality, then that "comfort" can sometimes become a dangerous form of complacency.

Therefore, many experts believe that higher education needs to shift strongly from knowledge transmission to competency development: knowing how to work, adapt, collaborate, learn throughout life... and knowing how to work alongside AI instead of fearing it.

"A happy university cannot be created by media hype, but must be created by genuine quality and true belief," emphasized Dr. Le Dac Son.

A happy university begins with students being listened to.

If competence is the foundation of happiness, then human connection is what keeps that journey from becoming rigid.

At the seminar, many opinions suggested that young people today not only face academic pressure, but also confront loneliness, disorientation, and mental health crises.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy, Head of the Department of Soft Skills Training and Development at Dai Nam University, stated: "A happy university is a capability that needs to be disseminated, not just a trend."

According to her, happiness in education sometimes begins with very small things: Students are listened to, faculty and staff are respected, learners have a place to share their pressures, and the school has a mechanism for genuine feedback instead of just formality.

That is also why many universities today, including Dai Nam University, are beginning to pay more attention to students' mental health, life skills, community connection abilities, and personal growth experiences.

At Dai Nam University, the philosophy of "Real Competence - A Solid Life" is also reflected in the training orientation that is linked to professional practice, increasing practical experience, connecting with businesses, and creating an environment for students to develop comprehensively, not just learning theory in the classroom.

A good university should make its students proud to return.

One of the most thought-provoking perspectives at the seminar came from Dr. Le Mai Lan, Vice President of Vingroup and Chair of the VinUni School Board.

She stated, "Satisfaction keeps students coming back. But pride is what brings alumni home."

According to her, universities should not be viewed merely as an "educational service," where students are customers and the institution tries to satisfy all their needs. Because education in general, and higher education in particular, is not simply a service exchange.

“University is a place that helps a person change, grow, discover their own abilities, find a sense of belonging, and feel proud when looking back on the journey they have taken…” Dr. Le Mai Lan emphasized.

That explains why some schools, despite being very strict and high-pressure, still attract many alumni who want to return, contribute, and are proud to mention them. Because what they receive is not just a degree, but personal growth. In the age of AI, higher education must produce adaptable individuals.

AI is forcing higher education to change.

Many experts at the conference shared the view that AI is forcing higher education to change faster than ever before.

Professor Nguyen Huu Ninh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Center for Environmental Education and Development Research (CERED), believes that the most important thing now is not to fight against AI, but to learn how to cooperate with AI using critical thinking and human creativity.

Meanwhile, Associate Professor Tran Thanh Nam - Vice Rector of the University of Education, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Psychological and Educational Sciences - emphasized a thought-provoking point: "Genius is born from joy."

According to him, only when learners are inspired, given opportunities for self-development, and feel a sense of meaning in their learning journey, will they be able to truly be creative and achieve breakthroughs.

This shows that happiness in education is not about feeling "easy," but about feeling a sense of growth, maturity, and seeing one's own value every day.

Perhaps the true measure of a happy university isn't how easy the student years are, but rather whether, after facing life's challenges, students still possess the ability to stand firm… and enough pride to want to return to that institution.

From an international perspective, Professor Rick Bennett, Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President of the British University Vietnam (BUV), believes that students who study in a happy and engaged environment tend to have a higher chance of success after graduation. However, happiness must be translated into specific criteria for measurement.

He proposed five criteria for evaluating a happy university: Academic quality; professional competence; teaching quality; learning environment; reputation; and value received.

"The greatest danger is an isolated academic fortress."

During the panel discussion, Professor Nguyen Van Noi made a noteworthy observation: "Academic fortresses and practical application are not opposed. The most dangerous thing is an isolated academic fortress."

According to him, higher education must maintain both research depth and continuous technological updates, while also connecting with societal needs. Otherwise, knowledge will remain on paper and quickly become outdated.

Happiness is not just something to feel, but something to cultivate.

From a business perspective, Mr. Pham Huy Phong - CEO of Mainetti Vietnam - offered a profound observation: "People not only need happiness but also the capacity to appreciate happiness."

According to him, universities need to help students develop: self-awareness; gratitude; resilience; a spirit of cooperation; and a sense of community responsibility… These are the foundations that create the perseverance of young people in a rapidly changing world.

Building a happy university – a long journey that requires genuine quality and true belief.

Concluding the workshop, many experts agreed that a happy university is not an emotional destination, but rather an educational ecosystem that helps people develop the capacity to live meaningful lives, work effectively, and contribute to society.

It should be a place where: Students are equipped with the skills to enter the workforce; lecturers are respected and given opportunities for development; knowledge is linked to practice; businesses collaborate with training programs; and happiness is built on genuine quality.

The workshop "Creating Happy Universities in Vietnam: From Vision to Action" went beyond academic exchange, raising a major question for Vietnamese education: In the era of AI and digital transformation, are universities ready to shift from training highly skilled individuals to training people who are both competent and capable of living happily?