Concerns that universities will weaken after mergers, proposal to abolish regional universities

This morning, the National Assembly discussed draft laws and draft resolutions on education and training, in which many delegates expressed their opinions on keeping or abolishing regional universities.

Delegate Nguyen Quang Huan (HCMC) said that Resolution 71 of the Politburo on education development stated the urgent need to build a strategic framework for higher education development, merge and dissolve substandard higher education institutions, eliminate intermediate levels, ensure streamlined and effective governance, and transfer some schools to local management...

Delegate Nguyen Quang Huan. Photo: National Assembly

He also stated that the draft Law on Higher Education reintroduces the concept of higher education institutions including universities, multidisciplinary universities, national universities, and regional universities.

Mr. Huan believes that it is necessary to develop truly strong facilities, like Hanoi University of Science and Technology when it develops strongly into Hanoi University of Science and Technology, in which there are many "sub-schools", only then will there be internal strength.

“If we merge mechanically, developing facilities may not be able to develop because they receive little attention and are no longer financially independent,” Mr. Huan worries.

According to the delegate, some universities were very strong before the merger, but after the merger, they were not strong because their financial autonomy was limited, their attractiveness was no longer enough, and their admission standards were lowered. Mr. Huan suggested that the National Assembly consider whether to allow regional universities to exist or not.

Delegate Le Thi Thanh Lam. Photo: National Assembly

On the same issue, delegate Le Thi Thanh Lam (Can Tho delegation) suggested continuing to research the regional university model because there are still many different opinions.

Currently, there are 3 regional universities: Danang University, Thai Nguyen University and Hue University. Circular 10/2020 of the Ministry of Education and Training states that regional universities have a council and board of directors responsible for managing many member schools and affiliated units. Regional universities both perform the State management function assigned by the Ministry and directly organize training and research of faculties like higher education institutions.

"This model becomes an intermediary level between the Ministry of Education and Training and member schools, acting as both the managing agency and the public service unit, causing the responsibility mechanism to be dispersed and the autonomy of member schools to be limited," Ms. Lam assessed.

The delegates also recognized that this was not in line with the spirit of Resolution No. 71, which requires reducing focal points, promoting decentralization, and eliminating intermediate levels. Ms. Lam proposed removing the regional university regulations or restructuring the regional university model into multi-disciplinary and multi-field universities.

According to delegates, abolishing this model does not mean abandoning universities that play an important role in regional development, but rather eliminating intermediate levels, streamlining the apparatus and increasing real autonomy for higher education institutions.

Agreeing with delegates Nguyen Quang Huan and Le Thi Thanh Lam, delegate Nguyen Van Thi (Bac Ninh delegation) said that regional universities are becoming intermediate administrative levels.

Delegate Nguyen Van Thi. Photo: National Assembly

According to him, regional universities are not allocated regional budgets and have no authority to coordinate investment, human resources or science and technology. Instead of streamlining the apparatus, regional universities increase the management layer between the Ministry of Education and Training and the schools, creating sub-units that prolong procedures and disperse responsibilities, which goes against the spirit of Resolution 71 of the Politburo.

Regarding autonomy, Mr. Thi said that member universities of regional universities have legal status, have enough capacity and scale to operate independently, but are still bound by the "two-tier" mechanism, having to submit to the regional university and then to the Ministry in investment procedures, opening majors...

The delegates said that it is necessary to consider the structure of the higher education system including: universities, national universities, multidisciplinary universities and universities called academies. With the regional university model, it is necessary to carefully consider whether to continue this model or not.

Mr. Thi suggested that member universities with a long history and brand name could be reorganized into schools under the Ministry to ensure comprehensive autonomy.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/lo-ngai-cac-truong-dai-hoc-yeu-di-sau-sap-nhap-de-xuat-bo-dai-hoc-vung-2464640.html