Concerns about diploma issuance after school merger and renaming.

GD&TĐ - Many educational institutions undergoing mergers or name changes have raised numerous concerns regarding the issuance of copies, diplomas, and the legal validity of issued certificates.

These obstacles are being addressed through new regulations on the management of diplomas and certificates and a roadmap for digitizing industry-wide data.

Concerns arising from practical experience

Along with the restructuring and reorganization of the education system, many universities and colleges are facing the need to address issues related to students' diplomas and certificates.

In addition to issuing diplomas for ongoing training courses, significant attention is also paid to issuing copies from original records, verifying documents, and ensuring the legal continuity of diplomas after the school changes its name or merges.

At the recent workshop and training session on diploma and certificate management and the implementation of digitalization of diploma and certificate data in 2026, organized by the Ministry of Education and Training, many educational institutions directly raised difficulties arising during the implementation process.

Representatives from Da Nang College stated that, following changes in the vocational education system, many institutions no longer maintain the same training model as before.

Meanwhile, the demand for diploma copies from students continues to arise frequently, leaving educational institutions confused about the appropriate diploma template and implementation procedures.

Similarly, representatives from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Law reported on the case of the Central Vietnam College of Law, which had merged into the university.

Although college and vocational training programs are no longer offered, there are still approximately 100 students from previous cohorts expected to graduate in the near future.

According to school representatives, the discontinuation of the use of existing diploma templates for college and vocational schools raises concerns regarding the process of issuing diplomas to students. Developing new templates would be quite complex and time-consuming.

The above questions show that, along with the process of reforming and restructuring the education system, the management of diplomas and certificates is giving rise to many practical situations that require unified guidance to ensure the rights of learners and avoid data and record disruptions during the transition process.

Ho Chi Minh City University of Law, Quang Tri branch. Photo: HCMULAW.

The old diploma remains valid.

In response to concerns from educational institutions, a representative from the Department of Quality Management (Ministry of Education and Training) stated that in cases of mergers, divisions, or dissolutions, the unit responsible for managing the original records is obligated to issue copies of diplomas to students.

The content of the copy must be consistent with the original diploma that was previously issued, and must not be converted to a new format or a new name of the educational institution.

According to the head of the Quality Management Department, the handling of diplomas and certificates after the reorganization of units must prioritize the interests of learners while ensuring the continuity and legal validity of the issued documents.

In fact, along with the recent reorganization and renaming of educational institutions, many students are also wondering about the value of diplomas issued under the old school name.

For example, after being renamed from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education to Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, the university issued a notice affirming that the name change did not alter its legal status, nor did it affect its functions, duties, rights, and legitimate obligations as stipulated by law.

According to the announcement, diplomas, certificates, transcripts, student records, and related documents issued by Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education remain fully valid and are legally recognized and used in accordance with current regulations.

The school also stated that, if necessary, students may be issued a document confirming the legal inheritance relationship between the old and new names for the purpose of information verification.

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUTE). Photo: HCMUTE.

Regarding the merger of the Central Vietnam College of Law into the Ho Chi Minh City University of Law, Mr. Le My Phong, Deputy Director of the Quality Management Department, stated that educational institutions are free to choose the appropriate method for awarding diplomas to students and are responsible for the implementation process in accordance with current regulations.

For training courses enrolled before January 1, 2016, diploma issuance will continue to follow the regulations of the 2014 Vocational Education Law. Accordingly, diplomas will still display titles such as Bachelor of Practical Studies or Practical Engineer, depending on the field of study.

Avoid fragmentation of student records with digital data.

Besides finalizing regulations on the issuance and management of diplomas and certificates, the Ministry of Education and Training is accelerating the nationwide data digitization process.

According to Circular No. 10/2026/TT-BGDĐT, diplomas and certificates of the national education system can be issued in paper or digital form; however, paper diplomas and certificates and digital diplomas and certificates have the same legal validity.

The circular also stipulates that the signing, issuance, and use of digital diplomas and certificates shall be carried out according to the digital transformation roadmap prescribed by the Minister of Education and Training.

Notably, information extracted from the diploma and certificate database has the same legal validity as information in the original register and is used to verify diplomas and certificates.

This is considered an important foundation for building a unified data system, serving state management, verifying information, and meeting the information retrieval needs of citizens and businesses.

Director of the Quality Management Department, Huynh Van Chuong. Photo: HUTECH.

According to Mr. Huynh Van Chuong, Director of the Quality Management Department, one of the key focuses of the new regulations is the implementation of digital management of diplomas and certificates, gradually building and exploiting a unified national database of diplomas and certificates; aiming to effectively serve state management, information verification, electronic transactions, and the needs of citizens and businesses.

To ensure data quality, Mr. Le My Phong further noted that the digitization process must adhere strictly to the original records and adhere closely to them. Information not present in the original diplomas or records should not be added during the data update process.

In the context of many educational institutions undergoing mergers, renaming, or reorganization of their operational models, the establishment of a synchronized database of diplomas and certificates is expected to contribute to ensuring the continuity of student records, while simultaneously enhancing transparency and efficiency in management.

Speaking with the Education and Times newspaper, a representative from the University of Finance and Marketing (UFM) stated that the university has not yet announced any information regarding the issuance of diplomas or diploma copies after taking over the University of Finance and Accounting (Quang Ngai).

According to school representatives, related activities are about to be implemented and official information is expected in mid-June 2026.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/lo-ngai-cap-bang-sau-sap-nhap-doi-ten-truong-post780314.html