Many schools develop into universities and key schools.

Along with changing governing bodies, merging units is a larger development trend in a number of key educational institutions.

ADD NATIONAL UNIVERSITY , REGIONAL UNIVERSITY

According to the Prime Minister's Decision approving the planning of the network of higher education and pedagogical institutions for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050, the country is expected to have 172-176 public higher education institutions and 68-72 private higher education institutions in 5 regions. The total number of higher education institutions nationwide will be around 240-248 units.

The direction for developing higher education institutions is to arrange and reduce the number of public higher education institutions. Terminate operations before 2028 and dissolve before 2030 for higher education institutions and branches of higher education institutions that do not meet standards or do not complete the establishment of legal status according to the provisions of law . Only consider establishing branches of public higher education institutions in the following cases: reorganizing the training institution or transferring a branch from another higher education institution that is currently allowed to operate, merging universities or universities headquartered in other localities...

In addition, higher education institutions under ministries, branches, and central agencies (except the Ministry of Education and Training) are arranged and developed in the direction of focusing on the core sectors and fields of the direct management agency; higher education institutions under provincial People's Committees are arranged and developed in the direction of focusing on key sectors and fields of the locality and region, including teacher training sectors.

At the same time, some universities will develop more strongly into national universities, regional universities, key regional universities and industry groups. In particular, in addition to the two existing national universities ( Ho Chi Minh City National University and Hanoi National University ), two more national universities will be added from Hue University and Da Nang University. In addition to Thai Nguyen University, more regional universities will be developed from existing universities, including: Vinh University, Nha Trang University, Tay Nguyen University, Can Tho University and a number of other universities in each region.

Students of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technical Education during a practice session. This is one of the five national key schools in engineering technology.

PHOTO: HA ANH

With a network of university education institutions training teachers, upgrading and developing Hanoi National University of Education and Ho Chi Minh City University of Education into 2 key national universities in pedagogy. With a network of university education institutions training in STEM fields, focusing on investing in upgrading and developing 5 public universities to become key national universities in engineering and technology. Specifically, including: Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, University of Transport, Academy of Posts and Telecommunications Technology and Ho Chi Minh City University of Technical Education.

A SERIES OF UNITS CHANGE THEIR MANAGING AGENCIES

In contrast to the development trend of key university educational institutions is the conversion of governing bodies, the merger of many university, college and vocational training institutions after the merger of direct management agencies.

According to the latest announcement from the Government Office on the conclusion of Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long at the meeting on the draft Decree regulating the functions, tasks and powers of the National University, this University is a public higher education institution managed by the Ministry of Education and Training . Previously, from December 2024, according to the Government's Plan for streamlining and reorganizing the apparatus, the document proposed transferring 2 national universities (Hanoi National University and Ho Chi Minh City National University) to the Ministry of Education and Training for management.

In addition, on February 28, the Ministry of Education and Training received the handover of 3 universities ( Nam Dinh University of Technical Education, Vinh University of Technical Education, Vinh Long University of Technical Education) and 14 colleges from the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs. After merging and consolidating the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Construction into the Ministry of Construction, 4 universities were also transferred to the new governing ministry, including: Vietnam Aviation Academy, Vietnam Maritime University, Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport, and University of Transport Technology.

Similarly, after the merger and consolidation of the Ministry of Planning and Investment with the Ministry of Finance into the Ministry of Finance, the Academy of Development Policy of the Ministry of Planning and Investment became a public service unit under the Ministry of Finance. The Academy of Ethnic Minorities is under the Ministry of Ethnic Minorities and Religions. The Ministry of Industry and Trade currently directly manages 9 universities and 24 colleges. It is expected that 8 colleges will be merged into 4 schools, leaving the ministry with 9 universities and 20 colleges. In addition, a number of universities and academies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Information and Communications will also be transferred to the new governing ministry.

Students of Ho Chi Minh City University of Education. According to the plan, Hanoi University of Education and Ho Chi Minh City University of Education will be upgraded and developed into two key national universities in education.

Photo: Nhat Thinh

PLAN TO ADJUST SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

Faced with the above policy, universities have adjusted their operations to suit development trends.

Prof. Dr. Huynh Van Son, Rector of Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, said that in its long-term development strategy, the school complies with and implements the general policy of the Ministry of Education and Training on expanding its network of training facilities. The school has developed a detailed plan to develop additional branches in the southeastern provinces, contributing to meeting the demand for teacher training in major economic regions as well as border and island areas.

Regarding the trend of training professions, Professor Son said that the school's strategy is multidisciplinary training. The development outside of pedagogy aims to exploit the school's potential to the fullest, meeting the diverse needs of society . Therefore, in addition to new majors serving the requirements of implementing the 2018 General Education Program, the school recruits more majors with high job demand (such as tourism, applied biology) and will soon add applied mathematics and educational technology.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Vice President of Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport, also said that the process of transferring the school to the Ministry of Construction is still being implemented in accordance with regulations, ensuring transparency, compliance with the law and in line with the university education development strategy. To improve the effectiveness of consulting and supporting students in their studies, the school has abandoned the academic affairs model and switched to a training consulting department under the school's Training Department. As a result, the school has reduced 11 internal focal points (from 39 streamlined focal points to 28 focal points), achieving a reduction rate of nearly 30%.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, the process of streamlining the apparatus will continue to be implemented and completed in 2025. The university will merge a number of advisory units. The ultimate goal of this process is to build an advanced governance model that better meets the requirements of university education development in the new era.

"The change of governing body leads to certain adjustments in the management and organization of the school. However, the school always puts the interests of learners first and is committed to maintaining stability in the training program as well as academic activities. Despite the administrative change, the school still ensures that students are trained in the registered major, without interrupting the learning process. Training programs continue to be implemented according to plan, ensuring output standards and teaching quality. At the same time, the school also increases student support activities, from academic counseling, career orientation to creating internship and job opportunities after graduation," Assoc. Prof. Tuan affirmed.

"The change in governing body does not change the school's development strategy. In addition to maintaining traditional training majors with strengths, the school also focuses on developing key areas such as digital technology, smart traffic technology, artificial intelligence in traffic...", Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan added.

Sharing this view, Dr. Quach Thanh Hai, Vice Principal of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technical Education, said: "In the trend of multidisciplinary development in the coming time, the school continues to focus on investing in STEM majors."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nhieu-truong-phat-trien-thanh-dh-va-truong-trong-diem-185250317221521733.htm