Universities now have the right for self-determination related to enrollment

One year ago, the departure of Prof Truong Nguyen Thanh from Hoa Sen University (who was told he could not qualify for the rector post because of legal stipulations) stirred a strong debate.

Experts all expressed regret that the experienced overseas Vietnamese educator could not devote himself to Vietnam’s education just because of unreasonable regulations, under which training establishments do not have not the right to appoint rectors.

The amended University Law which replaced the 2012 law states that training must be provided based on labor market demand, and that training establishments have the right of self-determination in policies related to tuition and enrollment.

Nguyen Xuan Hoan, vice rector of the HCMC Food Industry, emphasized that the new law will help improve tertiary education and create favorable conditions for schools to develop. 

Nguyen Duc Nghia, former vice director of the HCMC National University, noted that the new law addresses three important issues, namely school autonomy, structure and quality.

“The amended law sets a bigger role and assigns bigger tasks for universities,” he said. “University councils now have high rights in determining the issues related to development strategy, finance and personnel.”

In other words, the new law gives training establishments the right to make decisions and take responsibility for their decisions. From now on, schools have escaped from the ‘rigid management mechanism’ that they say hindered their development.

Just 10 days after the National Assembly ratified the amended University Education Law on October 19, 2018, the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) submitted a plan on upgrading tertiary education quality which was approved by the PM.

Under the plan, Vietnam will have to reach many important goals from now to 2025: 100 percent of university graduates must meet standards committed by their training establishments; 100 percent of lecturers must have at least post-graduate education level, and at least 35 percent must have a doctorate.

This means that the new law not only gives opportunities, but also brings challenges. Hoan commented that schools will have to improve education quality, and pay higher attention to employers’ needs so as to satisfy their requirements, or they will be excluded from the educational system.

FPT University president Le Truong Tung noted that the new law places challenges for both schools and management agencies because they have to change quickly to adapt to new circumstances. However, the changes are a must, he said.

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Mai Lan