A government decree issued on 11/7 outlines the roles, responsibilities, and authority of national universities. It states these institutions will be managed by the ministry of education and training, possess legal entity status, maintain separate accounts, and use a seal bearing the national emblem.
Unlike other universities under the ministry, they will remain as level-one budget units, receiving funding directly from the prime minister.
Regarding personnel, the two universities will follow procedures and submit reports to the ministry, which will then propose appointments and dismissals of university council presidents, directors, and deputy directors to the prime minister. The two universities are authorized to establish regulations for lecturers and researchers, and to enter into labor contracts with domestic and international lecturers, scientists, and experts to attract and utilize high-quality human resources.
In terms of training activities, national universities are empowered to develop training regulations and create practical, specialized, special, gifted, and talented training programs to identify and nurture scientific and technological talent.
For scientific research and innovation, national universities can propose and implement national and ministerial-level programs upon approval from competent authorities. They can also establish and organize domestic and international scientific and technological cooperation programs for innovation and creative startups.
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Students at VNU. Photo: VNU-LIC Fanpage |
Students at VNU. Photo: VNU-LIC Fanpage
VNU views the new government decree as a breakthrough, granting more substantial autonomy to the two national universities and expanding opportunities for them to develop into world-class institutions.
"The new decree not only affirms the legal status and strategic mission of national universities, but also demonstrates the government's strong commitment to developing universities towards research, innovation, and integration," VNU stated.
VNU believes this decree facilitates its pioneering role in achieving breakthroughs in key areas of higher education.
Vietnam has two national universities, VNU and VNU-HCM, established by the government in 1993 and 1995 respectively, with a current total enrollment of approximately 150,000 students. According to the national plan, by 2030, Vietnam will have two more national universities in Hue and Da Nang.
These are public higher education institutions comprising a network of universities and research institutes across various disciplines, organized into two levels to offer different levels of higher education.
According to Decree 186 and relevant laws, national universities have high autonomy in training, scientific research, finance, international relations, and organizational structure. They are also permitted to pilot new disciplines and specializations beyond the existing list of approved training programs.
Duong Tam
