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Procedure and Standards for Professorial Appointment and Promotion

1. Preamble

Ton Duc Thang University (TDTU) is a public institution that makes significant contributions to society in teaching, learning, and research. The University was established in 1997, and has gone through a 20-year period of transformation and development. During that time, the University has educated thousands of graduates, and has significantly contributed to international scientific research.

The University is now entering a new phase of development. The University has established Foundation of Science and Technology Development (FOSTECT) and more than 54 laboratories and/or research groups which are led by leading scientists and professors worldwide. In addition, the University is collaborating with 76 international universities in the training of postgraduates and scientific research. In 2014, the University was conferred the 3-star status university from the QS stars from UK. In that year, for the first time, the University also received 07 patents from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). In late January 2015, the Prime Minister conferred the autonomous status to Ton Duc Thang University.

In order to prepare for the next phase of development, the University is working to attract excellent scientists and academics, including those from recognized overseas universities. The following guides have been developed to provide a general framework for promoting current staff and recruiting new staff for the position of assistant, associate and full professors. The intention is to help candidates in considering their own trajectories and track records against a set of common standards and criteria. The standards and criteria in this document represent minimum levels of achievements that TDTU expects from candidates.

2. Purposes:

The primary purpose of academic promotion is to:

  • Identify teaching staff and scientists who have shown excellent and upward trajectories;
  • Recognize staff for their excellent contributions to teaching and research;
  • Build academic career for teaching staff and researchers using internationally recognized academic criteria.

3. Procedure

The procedure of promotion is designed to maximally use the peer review process in science. The University will form a Committee for Appointment and Promotion (CAP) to handle the appointment/promotion of professorial staff.

Candidates will prepare a dossier for review by the CAP. The CAP will have an initial check to ensure all the administrative details are met. Then the application will proceed as follows:

Step 1 - Peer review: Each candidate can recommend potential reviewers for his/her dossier. However, the CAP decides the list of external reviewers for each candidate’s dossier.

Step 2 - Interview: Based on the reviewers' reports, the CAP will arrange an interview with the candidate. The candidate will have an opportunity to present his/her case for promotion in face to face meeting with CAP members. The interview is expected to last for one hour, and all conversations will be recorded. Members of CAP will score the candidate based on the explicit criteria (see below). The Chair of CAP will then prepare a recommendation to the TDTU President.

Step 3 - Decision: Based on the CAP's recommendation, the TDTU President will make formal decision of appointment or promotion.

4. Track of Promotion

TDTU employs 2 tracks for appointment or promotion of individuals to the full time faculty: Teaching and Research. Teaching track is primarily for faculty whose primary contributions are in teaching and mentorship of students. Research track is appropriate for faculty involved in full time research programs with minimal teaching responsibilities. Candidates have to select either track for appointment or promotion.

5. Levels of Professor

In each track, TDTU considers 3 levels of faculty as follows:

  • Assistant Professor;
  • Associate Professor;
  • Full Professor.

In addition, TDTU also appoints or promotes faculty members to a distinguished professorship. This title constitutes the highest honor that TDTU can accord a member of faculty. It is expected that distinguished professors are internationally-recognized, scholarly attainment in an individual discipline or field. These individuals are expected to make special contributions to the intellectual advancement of TDTU and Vietnam.

6. Duration of Appointment

Professorial appointment or promotion at the TDTU will be valid for a certain period of time. Each faculty will be reviewed for performance and decision of renewal will be offered based on the outcome of reevaluation.

7. Criteria for teaching track

Candidates for faculty position at the TDTU will be assessed based on 4 groups of criteria:

  • Excellence in teaching and mentorship;
  • Excellence in research;
  • Contributions to the discipline;
  • Contributions to Vietnam and TDTU.

Full Professor candidates have to demonstrate capacity of leadership in his/her discipline. They also have to point out 3 full professors in overseas universities whose work and track record are considered equivalent to those of candidates.

English skill: All candidates must be competent in the English language. Candidates will need to obtain 6.0 or above in Speaking and Listening on IELTS scale; or 550 on TOEFL PBT; or 80 on TOEFL iBT; or 700 on TOIEC.

7.1 Criteria for Assistant Professor

7.1.1 Teaching and mentorship

  • Meet 2-year requirement for teaching; demonstrated excellence in teaching;
  • Supervision of 2 master students.

7.1.2 Research

  • At least 5 peer reviewed publications in ISI indexed journals (with 3 being the main author); or 5 peer reviewed publications in Scopus indexed journals (with 3 being the main author) for social sciences and economic fields.

7.1.3 Contributions to the profession

  • There is no specific requirement. However, evidence of contribution to journal editorial board and/or peer review is a definite advantage.

7.1.4 Contributions to Vietnam and TDTU

  • There is no specific requirement. However, candidates will have competitive advantage if they have contributed to the management of school/faculty, and to the promotion of TDTU in the community.

7.2 Criteria for Associate Professor

7.2.1 Teaching and mentorship

  • Meet the 5-year requirement for teaching; demonstrated excellence in teaching;
  • Supervision of 4 master students;

7.2.2 Research

  • At least 10 peer reviewed publications in ISI indexed journals (7 as the main author); or 10 peer reviewed publications in Scopus indexed journals (with 7 being the main author) for social sciences and economic fields;
  • Principal investigator of at least 1 project funded by FOSTECT, or by Provincial body, or by Ministry.

7.2.3 Contributions to the profession

  • Served as a reviewer for at least 3 ISI indexed or Scopus indexed journals

7.2.4 Contributions to Vietnam and TDTU

  • Participated in the promotion of TDTU nationally and internationally;
  • Published commentaries or articles in magazines and popular media relating to the candidate's work.

7.3 Criteria for Full Professor

7.3.1 Teaching and mentorship

  • Meet the 8-year requirement for teaching; demonstrated excellence in teaching;
  • Supervision of 2 PhD students.

7.3.2 Research

  • At least 20 peer reviewed publications in ISI indexed journals (with 14 as the main author); or 10 peer reviewed publications in ISI indexed journals (7 as the main author) and 10 peer reviewed publications in Scopus indexed journals (7 as the main author) for social sciences and economic fields;
  • Principal investigator of at least 2 projects funded by FOSTECT, or by Provincial body, or by Ministry;
  • Principal investigator of at least 1 project funded by National foundation.

7.3.3 Contributions to the profession

  • Served as a reviewer for at least 5 ISI indexed or Scopus indexed journals;
  • Editorial board member of at least 1 ISI indexed or Scopus indexed journal;
  • Member of organizing committee of at least 1 international scientific conference;
  • Served as head of a department or a research group.

7.3.4 Contributions to Vietnam and TDTU

  • Participated in the promotion of TDTU nationally and internationally;
  • Published commentaries or articles in magazines and popular media relating to the candidate's work;
  • Consultant for at least 1 multinational corporation, or international organization.  

8. Criteria for research track

The following minimal criteria are guides for research track professorial positions.

8.1 Criteria for Assistant Professor

8.1.1 Teaching and mentorship

  • Have lectured at least 2 courses;
  • Supervision of 2 master students.

8.1.2 Research

  • At least 10 peer reviewed publications in ISI indexed journals (with 7 as the main author); or 5 peer reviewed publications in ISI indexed journals (3 as the main author) for social sciences and economic fields;
  • H-index (Web of Knowledge) should be at least 5 (or 3 for social sciences and economics fields).

8.1.3 Contributions to the profession

  • There is no specific requirement. However, evidence of contribution to journal editorial board and/or peer review is a definite advantage.

8.1.4 Contributions to Vietnam and TDTU

  • There is no specific requirement. However, candidates will have competitive advantage if they have contributed to the management of school/faculty, and to the promotion of TDTU in the community.

8.2 Criteria for Associate Professor

8.2.1 Teaching and mentorship

  • Have lectured at least 3 courses;
  • Supervision of 2 master students and 1 PhD student.

8.2.2 Research

  • At least 20 peer reviewed publications in ISI indexed journals (with 14 as the main author); or 10 peer reviewed publications in ISI indexed journals (7 as the main author) for social sciences and economic fields;
  • H-index (Web of Knowledge) should be at least 10 (or 7 for social sciences and economics fields);
  • Principal investigator of at least 1 project funded by FOSTECT, or by Provincial body, or by Ministry.

8.2.3 Contributions to the profession

  • Served a reviewer for at least 5 ISI indexed or Scopus indexed journals;
  • Editorial board member of at least 1 ISI indexed or Scopus indexed journal;
  • Served as head of a department or a research group.

8.2.4 Contributions to Vietnam and TDTU

  • Participated in the promotion of TDTU nationally and internationally;
  • Published commentaries or articles in magazines and popular media relating to the candidate's work.

8.3 Criteria for Full Professor

8.3.1 Teaching and mentorship

  • Have lectured at least 5 courses;
  • Supervision of 4 master students and 2 PhD students.

8.3.2 Research

  • At least 40 peer reviewed publications in ISI indexed journals (with 30 as the main author); or 20 peer reviewed publications in ISI indexed journals (14 as the main author) for social sciences and economic fields;
  • H-index (Web of Knowledge) should be at least 20 (or 10 for social sciences and economics fields);
  • Published ISI/Scopus indexed book chapter;
  • Principal investigator of at least 2 projects funded by FOSTECT, or by Provincial body, or by Ministry;
  • Principal investigator of at least 1 project funded by National foundation.

8.3.3 Contributions to the profession

  • Served a reviewer for at least 5 ISI indexed or Scopus indexed journals (or 2 journals for candidates in social sciences and economics fields);
  • Editorial board member of at least 1 ISI indexed or Scopus indexed journal;
  • Served as head of a department or a research group;
  • Served as Program chair of at least 1 international scientific conference;
  • Plenary/keynote speaker of at least 1 national conference and Invited speaker of at least 1 international conference.

8.3.4 Contributions to Vietnam and TDTU

  • Participated in the promotion of TDTU nationally and internationally;
  • Published commentaries or articles in magazines and popular media relating to the candidate's work.
  • Consultant for at least 1 multinational corporation, or international organization.  

8.4 Criteria for Distinguished Professor

8.4.1 Teaching and mentorship

  • Demonstrated excellence in teaching;
  • Supervision of 8 master students and 4 PhD students.

8.4.2 Research:

  • Demonstrated to be a prominent leader in the candidate's field of research, ranked in the top 1% in the world; published at least 150 peer reviewed publications in ISI indexed journals (with at least 20 publications ranked in the top 1% of the candidate's research field worldwide);
  • Qualified as an Expert Class II according to the TDTU expert ranking;
  • H-index (Web of Knowledge) should be at least 40 (or 30 for social sciences and economics fields);
  • Published ISI/Scopus indexed book;
  • Principal investigator of at least 4 projects funded by FOSTECT, or by Provincial body, or by Ministry;
  • Principal investigator of at least 2 project funded by National foundation;
  • Principal investigator of at least 1 project funded by International foundation.

8.4.3 Contributions to the profession: Recognized as a leading scientist through:

  • Editorial board member of at least 5 ISI indexed or Scopus indexed journals;
  • Served as head of a department or a research group;
  • Served as General chair of at least 1 international scientific conference;
  • Plenary/keynote speaker of at least 1 national conference and Invited speaker of at least 1 international conference;
  • Senior member (Fellow) of professional organisations;
  • Visiting/Adjunct professor of universities in the Top 500 universities worldwide (according to THE or ARWU rankings);

8.4.4 Contributions to Vietnam and TDTU

  • Participated in the promotion of TDTU nationally and internationally; served as advisor to the University, the Government;
  • Published commentaries or articles in magazines and popular media relating to the candidate's work at international forums;
  • Technological transfer to benefit Vietnam; contributions to research capacity and science policy for Vietnam;
  • Consultant for at least 1 multinational corporation, or international organization.  

9. Application Process

  • Candidates will prepare a dossier for review. The dossier will include the following documents:
  • An up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV);
  • Application for promotion or appointment;
  • Copy of some major research work;
  • Evidence of teaching and mentorship;
  • Evidence of contributions to the profession, University, and Vietnam.

9.1 Curriculum vitae

Candidates should prepare an up-to-date CV in the traditional scientific format. In other words, the CV should provide adequate information concerning the candidate personal history, research background, and track record of publications. Specifically, TDTU suggests the following structure:

  • Personal vital data and current address;
  • Education: Please provide information concerning school/university, discipline, degree, and period of study;
  • Past and current appointments: Organization, department, position, and main responsibilities;
  • Research interests: A paragraph to state the candidate's research interests;
  • Professional activities: Provide information concerning institutional services, teaching, training, extramural membership of learned societies, editorial responsibilities; review responsibilities;
  • Grants awards: Past and current grant awards, name of organization, role of the candidate in the grant application; outcomes of project;
  • Research collaboration: Information concerning national and international research collaboration, name of institution, duration of collaboration, outcome of collaboration (e.g. papers and/or patents);
  • Honors and Awards: Name of awards, conferring organization, year, and reason of award;
  • Conferences: Year of attendance, role in the conference (e.g. convener, invited lecturer, oral presentation, poster presentation, attendee without presentation).
  • Publications: Please provide the list of publication with full authorship, journal name, impact factor, ISI or Scopus indexed, and the number of citations. Please divide the list of publications by subheading as follows.

o Original papers;
o Reviews, case report, letters, editorials;
o Books and book chapters;
o Abstracts.

9.2 Application

In this part of the dossier, candidates will provide a narrative account of their career and achievements. The document must not exceed 10 pages in length, and should cover the following items:

  • Summary: Candidates provide a 500-word summary of their education, employment, research/teaching achievements, and vision for future.
  • Research and impacts: Description of the candidate's research direction, achievements, and societal impacts. Please focus on recent work (e.g. 5 year window). If possible, candidates should show actual data concerning research output trajectories, impact factors, and citations. In multiple authorship publications, the candidate should state their role in the work.
  • Leadership: Candidates provide evidence of leadership in the profession, independence in research. Evidence may include letters of reference from colleagues, chairmanship of national and international conferences, invited lectures, invited editorials, editorial board membership, etc.
  • Mentorship: Candidates provide evidence of supervision of postgraduate students. It is relevant to give information concerning the employment of graduates (e.g. institution of employment, position, trajectories).
  • Contributions to the profession: Candidates can provide additional information concerning their contributions to their research discipline that are otherwise not stated in the CV.

9.3 Best publications

In this section, candidates should provide reprints of 3-5 most significant publications during the past 5 years, and 3-5 significant publications careerwise. In each publication, please provide a narrative account of:

  • Significance of the work;
  • Rank of the journal in the field;
  • Citations;
  • Role of the candidate in the work;
  • Professional and societal impacts of the work.

In instances where a substantial amount of the published work is co-authored, the candidate may choose to include a document here that explains the candidate's role and contributions on co-authored works. This description may be supported by solicited letters from the candidate's collaborators.

9.4 Evidence of excellence in teaching and mentorship

Candidates should prepare a document describing the candidate's teaching philosophy and pedagogical approach (at both the undergraduate and graduate levels). Please provide a list of courses taught, course design, number of students, outcomes, etc. In addition, the candidate should describe his/her involvement in mentoring and advising activities, as well as any involvement in curriculum development and professional development in the form of faculty development workshops focused on teaching or specific pedagogical techniques or issues.

9.5 Evidence of contributions to the profession, University, and Vietnam

The candidate should describe with evidence his/her contributions to the development of the TDTU (at all levels), professional, and community services. The candidate should state motivations behind various types of service, and the value of service within the candidate's professional activities.
It should be noted that contributions to the TDTU may include involvement in committee service, distinctive contributions on behalf of core functional areas (e.g. consulting, mentoring special student groups, contributions to the development of new policies or services to enhance university efficiency, effectiveness or excellence, generation of reports of recommendations upon request by university leadership, etc.). Services to the profession include activities such as journal article reviews, journal editorships, leadership of conferences, invited presentations, active involvement and leadership in professional societies and organizations, and production of texts, other publications and media products which are widely used tools that contribute to a profession's collective effort aimed at research and education.