Thousand-billion-dong university, main source of revenue still comes from tuition fees

HIGHER YEAR THAN PREVIOUS YEAR

Up to this point, Van Lang University has the highest total revenue among universities nationwide, with 1,758 billion VND in the 2022-2023 school year, mainly from tuition fees (HP). Previously, in 2020-2021, the school's total revenue was only 776 billion VND and in 2021-2022 it was 1,030 billion VND. That shows that the school's revenue from HP increases sharply every year. Specifically, in 2021, it increased by 32% compared to the previous year, but in 2022, it increased by 70% compared to 2021.

The revenue of universities today still largely depends on tuition fees.

According to Dr. Vo Van Tuan, Vice Principal of Van Lang University, the school's revenue increased due to the rapid increase in training scale. If in the 2018-2019 school year, the school only had a total of 13,200 students, then after 2 years, in the 2020-2021 school year, the scale skyrocketed to 30,652 students. In the 2021-2022 school year, it was 38,673 students and in 2022-2023, the training scale reached nearly 43,000 students.

The school has 3 university programs with 3 different tuition levels. In which, the standard program has tuition levels ranging from 20 - 30 million VND/semester, while the maxillofacial major has tuition levels ranging from 80 - 100 million VND/semester. In addition, there are special programs with 1 - 2 million VND/credit and international joint programs with tuition levels of hundreds of millions of VND/year.

In addition to the university training scale, the school also trains 14 master's programs with tuition fees from 80 - 100 million VND/year, international joint master's program is 195 million VND/year, and doctoral program tuition is also hundreds of millions of VND/year.

Revenue from FPT University has also increased sharply in recent years. If in 2020 the total revenue of the school was 911.8 billion VND (from HP was 842.8 billion VND, accounting for 92.4%), then in 2021 the total revenue was 1,292 billion VND and revenue from HP also accounted for more than 90%. Previously, in 2018 - 2019 the school's revenue was only 352.1 billion VND.

The increase in revenue of this school is partly due to the increase in training scale. Specifically, in 2019 - 2020, the training scale at the university level was 12,937 students, then in 2021 - 2022 it increased to 22,210 students and in 2022 - 2023 it was 34,943 students. Meanwhile, the HP level also increased slightly each year, for example, in 2021 it was 25.3 million VND/semester, in 2022 it was 27.3 million VND/semester and in 2023 it was 28.7 million VND/semester.

Meanwhile, in 2022 - 2023, Nguyen Tat Thanh University will also be included in the "universities with a revenue of thousands of billions" thanks to the increase in scale from 22,612 students in 2020 - 2021 to 29,689 students in 2022 - 2023. The total revenue of the school in 2020 - 2021 was 805.24 billion VND, in 2021 - 2022 it was 921.767 billion VND and in 2022 - 2023 it was more than 1,162 billion VND. In addition, the school's HP in the past 3 years has also increased slightly each year, contributing to the increase in revenue.

Revenue from HP of some other universities in recent years has also increased significantly. From 2021 - 2022, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology has "entered" the list of universities with revenue of thousands of billions (VND 1,044 billion) thanks to the scale of 23,435 students, 893 masters and 5 doctors. By 2022 - 2024, the school will have a total revenue of VND 1,145 billion on the scale of 27,422 students, 676 masters and 7 doctors.

Hong Bang International University's revenue from HP in 2022 - 2023 was only nearly 360 billion VND, but in 2023 - 2024 it increased to 822 billion VND on a scale of 10,315 students, 618 masters and 34 doctors. Van Hien University also increased from 309 billion VND in 2021 - 2022 to 609 billion VND in 2022 - 2023 due to an increase in scale from 11,382 students, 284 masters to 14,919 students and 309 masters. Meanwhile, Hoa Sen University's revenue from HP also increased from 511 billion VND in 2020 to 654 billion VND in 2021 and 680.288 billion VND in 2022.

WHY IS IT STILL MAINLY DEPENDENT ON HP?

In recent times, universities, especially private universities, the main source of income still comes from HP, only a few schools have additional income from scientific research and technology transfer, but it is not significant.

To reduce the burden on learners and reduce complete dependence on HP, many schools promote scientific research and technology transfer.

Explaining this, Associate Professor Dr. Vo Thi Ngoc Thuy, Principal of Hoa Sen University, said that it is not simple for a university training in economics and services to have revenue from scientific research and technology transfer.

"Usually, universities that are strong in basic sciences, engineering, and technology will have an easier time developing revenue from research and technology transfer than universities that train in economics and services. Not to mention, if universities want to have scientific and technological products to transfer to organizations and businesses, they must have resources in terms of scientists, and the technology must be newer and more superior, while in reality, businesses are willing to buy available scientific products from abroad, and will not waste time waiting compared to cooperating with schools for research," Associate Professor, Dr. Ngoc Thuy commented.

According to Ms. Thuy, world-famous universities such as Harvard, in addition to HP, have additional investment sources from alumni and businesses through investment funds. Some schools also increase revenue from fashion products or accessories printed with the school's brand name. "It will be difficult for Vietnam to have investment sources from alumni. Firstly, there are not many successful billionaire students willing to return to school to contribute a large amount of money like in foreign countries. Secondly, if they contribute, they have to establish an investment fund, which will be very complicated. Thirdly, most private universities in Vietnam are universities owned by investors who make a profit, so it is difficult to attract investment for this investment fund."

According to Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thien Phuc, Vice Principal of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, even large universities abroad, despite having investments from the government, businesses and alumni, their HP still accounts for over 50%. This shows that HP is still an important source to maintain the operation of a university. Not outside of that context, currently the revenue of universities in Vietnam is still mainly from HP, although the proportion has tended to decrease.

Find ways to reduce the burden on learners

"To reduce the burden on learners, schools need to find other legal forms of activity to reduce their complete dependence on HP. Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology promotes scientific research and technology transfer, strengthens connections to implement projects from localities and businesses. Revenue from specialized training activities, high-quality training models, training services... is also focused on. In addition, the school's alumni also contribute a lot to supporting the school's activities, contributing to reducing the proportion of revenue from HP", Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Thien Phuc shared.

Master Nguyen Hua Minh Khang, Deputy Head of Training Department of Can Tho University, said that there is no other way but to continue to focus on creating scientific and technological research products, cooperating with businesses and organizations to carry out research works, projects, programs...

"Can Tho University has recently increased its revenue from technology transfer activities, cooperation with domestic and foreign organizations and universities to implement many projects providing solutions in the fields of high-tech agriculture, environment, aquaculture, climate change...", said Master Khang.

According to Mr. Khang, if HP revenue is reduced, the financial burden on students will first be reduced. At this time, students will benefit and attend school more. In addition, reducing dependence on HP will also reduce the pressure on universities in enrollment, at which time they will no longer have to recruit a large number of students to have enough revenue.

Associate Professor, Dr. Vo Thi Ngoc Thuy said that in order to increase other sources of income, in recent years the school has promoted short-term training with businesses and the revenue in this area can be said to be quite promising. "The school also has a goal in the future to own a fashion and personal goods brand called Hoa Sen. To achieve that, we are now planning to build the school's brand through culture and training quality," Ms. Thuy expressed.

Meanwhile, Dr. Vo Van Tuan informed that Van Lang University is building an innovation center to develop scientific research and technology transfer in engineering and technology fields. This is also one of the plans to contribute to increasing other sources of revenue besides HP.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/truong-dh-nghin-ti-nguon-thu-chu-yeu-van-tu-hoc-phi-185240612221211924.htm