Ho Chi Minh City Open University cuts series of bonuses, students 'shocked'

Ho Chi Minh City Open University has just issued new reward regulations for full-time students, in the direction of eliminating the title of students graduating early and reducing bonuses.

Students of previous courses of Ho Chi Minh City Open University who graduated early were all awarded bonuses, but according to new regulations, the school has removed the title of "students who graduated early" - Photo: OU

Many students at Ho Chi Minh City Open University reported that the school's sudden cut in bonuses and removal of the title of early graduates left them feeling "shocked" and disappointed.

Eliminate the title of "early graduate", reduce bonuses

Students think that the school's reduction of bonuses is fine, but at least it should have been decided from the beginning, or applied from the next course, instead of waiting until the 21st class graduates early; or after finishing school, only waiting for graduation to be considered before announcing.

"I am a student who graduated early and got enough points to get the award. Over the years, I have tried very, very hard to get the results I have today. My schedule is packed, there were times when I stayed up several nights in a row to register for courses because I was afraid I wouldn't graduate early.

When I was about to succeed and was just waiting to receive the bonus, I received a notice from the school that the bonus would be cut. It was so shocking," student D., class 21, reflected.

According to the reward regulations for full-time university students issued by Ho Chi Minh City Open University in May 2023, there are many titles and corresponding bonuses: the title "Student with excellent academic performance throughout the course" (classified as excellent in academic performance throughout the course, classified as good in training throughout the course or higher) is awarded a certificate of merit and a bonus of 4 million VND/person; "Student with good academic performance throughout the course" is awarded a certificate of merit and a bonus of 3 million VND/person.

Title "Excellent thesis defense or excellent project defense" with a certificate of merit and bonus of 1.5 million VND.

"Valedictorian of major - course - mass program or high quality program" award certificate and bonus of 3 million VND.

"Students with the highest academic achievement in the industry - course" will receive a certificate of merit and a bonus of 2 million VND. "Students who graduate before the training period" will receive a certificate of merit and a bonus of 2 million VND.

Meanwhile, the new regulations that the school has just issued have cut down on bonuses. For example, the title "Student with excellent academic performance throughout the course" is awarded a certificate of merit and a bonus of 2 million VND/student (previously 4 million VND); "Student with excellent academic performance throughout the course" is awarded a certificate of merit (previously a certificate of merit and 3 million VND)...

What does the school explain?

Mr. Tran Van Tri - Deputy Head of Student Affairs and Communications Department of Ho Chi Minh City Open University - said that the undergraduate training program at the school has 11 semesters in 4 years (3 semesters/year, each semester is 4 months).

Each year, the school has 3 graduation review periods (June, September and December). If a student is considered to graduate before the September review period each year, it is considered early. In reality, there are students who graduate 1 or 2 semesters early.

Previously, when the school applied the credit system and organized teaching in 3 semesters/year, at first students did not arrange their study plans and register for courses effectively, so the number of students graduating early was very rare. At that time, the school had a policy of rewarding money to encourage students to strive to graduate early.

Up to now, in the recent 2024 graduation exams, the number of students graduating early is very large, with more than 500 out of 1,000 graduating students graduating early.

In fact, with the old regulations, because they were based on academic results, many students achieved 2-3 titles at the same time (excellent, valedictorian, graduated early), so it had to be reconsidered.

Regarding the rewards for students who graduate with the highest score, excellent score and good score, the school also makes appropriate adjustments.

"Rewards are only meaningful when given to a small number of students who achieve exceptional academic results ahead of schedule. When the majority of students achieve these results, rewards are no longer valuable.

Furthermore, other universities currently do not have a policy of giving bonuses to students who graduate early. Therefore, the school must adjust its policy to suit the reality by completely eliminating the bonus for students who graduate early," Mr. Tri shared.

According to Mr. Tri, the school has a policy to support its alumni, if they study for a master's degree with a scholarship of 7 million VND/person and for a doctorate degree with a scholarship of 10 million VND/person.

But now, for students from the 25th course who graduate with honors and distinction within 1 year, if they continue to study at the university, the school will increase their support to 10 million VND (master's degree) and 13 million VND (doctorate).

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/truong-dai-hoc-mo-tphcm-cat-giam-loat-tien-thuong-sinh-vien-soc-2025021815292129.htm