VietNamNet Bridge - Universities have been told to become independent from the state and determine their destinies, but they have not been given the right to make decisions.

The government’s Resolution No 77 allows 14 universities and junior colleges to apply autonomy on a trial basis in 2014-2017. 

Of the 14 schools, the Hanoi Textile & Garment Industry University does not belong to any ministry or branch. To date, this is the first school in Vietnam which can enjoy autonomy. Prior to that, it was under control of the Vietnam Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex).

What has the school been doing over the last year, since it began applying the new policy?

According to Hoang Xuan Hiep, Rector of the university, it is still implemented under the old legal framework. In principle, the school can have self-determination in three matters – investment, labor force and finance. However, in fact, it still has to observe current regulations in recruitment and payment. 

Meanwhile, it cannot determine tuition as it wants, because the tuition levels must not go beyond the state’s framework. And it still cannot make important decisions in investments.

Universities have been told to become independent from the state and determine their destinies, but they have not been given the right to make decisions.

Hiep said it is necessary to amend current laws, or the autonomy policy cannot be implemented. 

Regarding the labor force, Hiep said it wasvstill the Ministry of Industry and Trade which is in charge of appointing the chair of the school’s board of management in the first term. The school’s vice rectors must be appointed by Vinatex. 

Regarding pay, under current regulations, the income of workers must not be higher than two times than monthly fixed salaries. Therefore, Hiep said, it is impossible to offer high pay to attract good lecturers.

The Hanoi Textile & Garment University has been facing many difficulties. Hiep said that it took him a couple of weeks to have the stamp recognized.

The Hanoi Police refused to recognize the school’s stamp because the school ‘did not belong to any ministry’. The school had to lodge a complaint with Vinatex which forwarded the complaint to the government office.

Of the 14 schools, there is no medical school. Are they allowed to be autonomous as well?

An analyst commented that the training cost of medical schools is the highest among training majors. This means that if medical schools operate under the autonomy policy and set high tuition levels, students will not be able to afford the tuition.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade controls 48 schools, the highest number of any governmental body.