Don't know how to explain to foreigners what a 'university within a university' is.

The above concerns were shared by representatives of many universities at the discussion to contribute opinions to the draft Law on Higher Education (amended) held today (May 14).

According to the policy impact assessment report of the Law on Higher Education (amended), the current Law on Higher Education stipulates that the organization of universities with member universities (2-level model) has many shortcomings, especially when implementing the autonomy mechanism.

Mr. Vu Hoang Linh, Chairman of the Board of the University of Natural Sciences (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) said that the two-level university model is facing many problems. For those working in the field, the most difficult thing about the two-level university model is not the management aspect, but when working with foreign partners, they have difficulty explaining what a "university within a university" is.

Mr. Vu Hoang Linh, Chairman of the Board of the University of Science.

"We introduce ourselves as a University, and above us we have another University. Foreigners do not understand what Vietnamese higher education is like, but there is a University within a University (a university within a university). We have to explain that the University above is like an umbrella, or similar to the University of California system in the US, but it is not like that at all," he cited and suggested that this model needs to be reviewed.

In the draft report on the impact of the revised Law on Higher Education, the Ministry of Education and Training also acknowledged that this model causes difficulties, complications and risks in organization and management, especially when implementing the autonomy mechanism.

Mr. Bui Xuan Hai, Principal of Hai Phong University, said that the two-level university model puts member universities in a "two-tiered" situation, contrary to the principle of university autonomy.

"If we define member schools as higher education institutions, let them be autonomous like other independent universities, there is no need for this umbrella anymore. We cannot classify Vietnamese higher education institutions as national universities, regional universities, universities, colleges, and academies," said Mr. Hai.

According to him, we should only develop schools within universities, internationally called "schools", and should not let member universities have legal status within the university.

Deputy Minister Hoang Minh Son commented that the "university within a university" model has been discussed a lot. However, these are the shortcomings of the two-level university model, not the matter of abolishing national universities and regional universities. National universities and regional universities are units managed by the State according to their missions and have their own positions.

"We have to discuss internal governance, not the issue of abolishing national universities or regional universities. We have to consider how this model needs to be improved," Mr. Son emphasized.

Currently, the country has two national universities, including Hanoi National University and Ho Chi Minh City National University. Three regional universities, including Thai Nguyen University, Hue University, and Da Nang University. The remaining universities include: Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics, Duy Tan University, National Economics University, and Phenikaa University.

Ha Cuong

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/khong-biet-giai-explanation-voi-nuoc-ngoai-the-nao-la-truong-dai-hoc-trong-dai-hoc-ar943221.html