London College of Design and Fashion (Hanoi) - where the incident occurred - Photo: NGUYEN BAO
On the evening of December 12th, the Ministry of Education and Training provided further information regarding the recognition of diplomas and collaborative training activities related to the London College of Design and Fashion.
There are indications that regulations regarding international training partnerships have not been properly implemented.
The Ministry stated that it had received information and feedback from students and some media outlets regarding the recognition of diplomas awarded under the joint training program between the London College of Design and Fashion and Liverpool John Moores University (UK).
Immediately after receiving the diploma recognition applications from several students, based on the documents and confirmation from the London College of Design and Fashion, the Quality Management Department issued responses stating that "the university-level diplomas awarded by Liverpool John Moores University to these students do not meet the requirements for recognition under current regulations."
According to the Ministry of Education and Training, immediately after receiving media reports regarding the recognition of diplomas and joint training activities related to the London College of Design and Fashion, on the morning of December 12, representatives from the ministry's specialized units met to review, discuss, and agree on a course of action to advise the ministry's leadership.
Based on existing records, documents, and information, and in comparison with current legal regulations, the relevant specialized units of the ministry have found this to be a complex issue involving multiple legal entities (London Fashion College - Hanoi Co., Ltd.; London Academy of Design and Fashion (Hanoi); London Vocational College of Design and Fashion (Hanoi); London Fashion Academy; Liverpool John Moores University, etc.), with indications of non-compliance with current regulations on international training partnerships.
Therefore, it is necessary to continue requesting relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals to report and provide more information on the training activities, joint training programs, and diploma issuance of the London College of Design and Fashion to verify the issues raised by the press and students.
"The Ministry of Education and Training is also considering establishing a team to conduct a comprehensive inspection of the activities of the London College of Design and Fashion within the scope of the ministry's state management," the Ministry of Education and Training stated.
Many students are devastated to learn that their university degrees, awarded by foreign institutions, are not valid in Vietnam - Photo: NGUYEN BAO
Ensuring the legitimate rights of students.
The Ministry of Education and Training affirms that it will handle the case in accordance with the law, strictly address any violations (if any) within its authority; and at the same time ensure the legitimate rights and interests of students based on full compliance with current regulations.
Earlier that day, the Ministry of Education and Training also confirmed that, to date, the London College of Design and Fashion has not been granted a license to conduct joint training programs with foreign countries for any of its majors or professions.
According to the Ministry, in implementing the 2014 Vocational Education Law and Decree No. 143/2016/ND-CP, the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs previously issued guiding documents on the implementation of some contents regarding vocational education, including requiring vocational education institutions to convert training programs and vocational training operating licenses into vocational education activity registration certificates.
"However, after reviewing the period from 2015 to the present, the General Department of Vocational Education (now the Department of Vocational Education and Continuing Education) has not received any application from the London College of Design and Fashion requesting the conversion of its vocational education registration certificate according to the above regulations," the Ministry of Education and Training stated.
Information promoting the university program of London College of Design and Fashion - Hanoi on the website - Screenshot
Previously, Tuoi Tre Online received feedback from many former students of the London College of Design and Fashion - Hanoi (LCDF - Hanoi). These students stated that they had studied the program of Liverpool John Moores University (UK) and received direct training at the London College of Design and Fashion.
However, students only truly realize that the university degree awarded by Liverpool John Moores University is not recognized in Vietnam when they go to the Department of Quality Management, Ministry of Education and Training, to have their degree verified. The reason is that this program has not been licensed for training in Vietnam by the Ministry of Education and Training.
Furthermore, VHL (25 years old, Hanoi) used her bachelor's degree from Liverpool John Moores University (UK), obtained during her studies in Vietnam, to pursue a master's degree in the UK. After completing her master's program and returning to Vietnam, she was shocked to discover that her undergraduate degree was invalid, rendering her master's degree also ineffective in Vietnam.
This situation has left many students in a difficult predicament: they studied hard, paid tuition, but were surprised to find their degrees were not recognized in Vietnam.
How does the advertising school recruit students?
According to Tuoi Tre Online , the London College of Design and Fashion (Hanoi) is located at 98 To Ngoc Van Street, Hanoi.
The school was established by Decision No. 1444/QD-LDTBXH dated October 30, 2014, of the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs. Its international trade name is London Vocational College for Design and Fashion Studies (Hanoi).
However, the school's official website (http://www.designstudies.vn) actually uses the name "London College for Design & Fashion" to promote its brand.
The school introduces itself: "Established in 2004 in Hanoi, the London College of Design and Fashion in Hanoi has consistently been a leading provider of British design training in Vietnam. Over the past 17 years, its training programs have helped many generations of graduates achieve successful careers as designers or for renowned brands such as Kelly Bui, Lam Gia Khang, Vu Ta Linh, Vu Thao, Up to Seconds, L'atelier, Km 109, etc."
According to its operating license, the school is permitted to teach vocational courses in fashion design, graphic design, and interior decoration. The permitted training levels include college, intermediate, and basic levels.
However, on the website, under the training programs section, the school only mentions programs including: university, short-term summer courses, part-time courses, and study abroad programs, without mentioning the licensed qualifications.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/bo-xem-xet-kiem-tra-toan-dien-truong-cao-dang-nghe-thiet-design-and-fashion-london-20251212213210239.htm
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