Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy aims to develop into the leading university in Vietnam and among the top 100 universities in Asia in the field of health sciences - Photo: TRAN HUYNH
After Tuoi Tre Online reported that Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy established 3 "subsidiary" schools, a reader said that "The article's title is incorrect, confusing 'University of...', the correct one is 'Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy'".
Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy is not a university yet.
First of all, it must be affirmed that Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy has not yet been converted into a "university" according to the provisions of the current Law on HigherEducation .
In September 2019, the then Minister of Health, Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Tien, reminded that the school's use of the name Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy was incorrect: "Currently, the school only has faculties, so it can only be called Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, it cannot be called a 'university'. The Ministry of Education and Training has also commented on this matter...".
However, up to now, Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy is still called Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy. All documents and even the school's seal are still Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy.
Explaining this, the school said that Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy was established on the basis of merging three schools: Saigon University of Medicine, Saigon University of Pharmacy, Saigon University of Dentistry, according to Decision 426/TTg dated October 27, 1976 of the Prime Minister.
In 2003, Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy was renamed Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy according to Decision 2223/QD-BYT dated June 18, 2003 of the Minister of Health.
The University Council of Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy has just issued a resolution to establish three "subsidiary" schools based on the reorganization of the school's faculties including the faculties of medicine, pharmacy, nursing and medical technology. This creates the premise for the school to change its governance model from "university" to "university" according to the law.
Several other universities have established "subsidiary" schools.
In early January 2025, Hanoi University of Industry also announced a resolution to establish two more "subsidiary" schools: School of Information and Communications Technology and School of Electricity and Electronics, completing the strategy and goal of establishing five schools under Hanoi University of Industry.
Previously, Hanoi University of Industry established three schools, including School of Foreign Languages - Tourism, School of Mechanics - Automobiles, and School of Economics.
According to the leaders of Hanoi University of Industry, the establishment of five "subsidiary" schools creates a premise to transform the governance model from a "university" to a multidisciplinary, multi-field "university" in accordance with the reality in Vietnam and international trends.
In October 2022, Can Tho University also announced the establishment of 4 schools under the university, including: Polytechnic School (based on the Faculty of Technology), School of Information Technology and Communications (based on the Faculty of Information Technology and Communications), School of Economics (based on the Faculty of Economics) and School of Agriculture (based on the Faculty of Agriculture).
The establishment of the above four schools aims to implement the resolution approving the policy of converting Can Tho University into Can Tho University, approved by the Can Tho University Council, term 2020 - 2025, in June 2021.
How is "university" different from "college"?
According to the Law on Higher Education, "universities" that want to become "universities" must be large schools, training in many majors and fields... and must develop a conversion project.
"Universities" have schools, affiliated faculties and member units. The head and legal representative of the university is the director.
Meanwhile, "universities" only have faculties, schools, branches, research institutes... The head and legal representative of the university is the principal.
The Law on Higher Education (amended) stipulates this very clearly. According to Article 7: "Higher education institutions have legal status, including universities, colleges and higher education institutions with other names in accordance with the provisions of law...".
Article 14 stipulates that the organizational structure of a university includes: "Schools, branches, research institutes, service establishments, enterprises, business establishments and other units (if any) according to the development needs of the university".
Article 15 stipulates the organizational structure of a university, including: "Universities, member research institutes (if any); schools, functional departments, scientific and technological organizations, libraries and other training service organizations; faculties, branches, research institutes, centers, service establishments, enterprises, business establishments and other units (if any) according to the development needs of the university".
Conditions for transferring from "university" to "university"
Decree 99/2019 of the Government stipulates that universities wishing to convert to universities must ensure 3 conditions: be assessed by a legal accreditation organization to meet quality standards; have at least 3 schools and 10 doctoral training majors, have a full-time student population of over 15,000, and be approved by direct management agencies and investors.
Universities must also ensure that they have at least 1,000 students, train at least 5 majors, and have at least 3 doctoral training majors.
These are specific criteria for a college to convert to a university and in reality not every institution that wants to is eligible.
The state does not give priority to universities over universities. But when transformed, universities will be better managed, utilize resources more effectively, and have greater autonomy, which is an advantage for the institutions to continue to develop.
The country currently has 10 universities.
Currently, Vietnam has a total of more than 200 higher education institutions, but currently there are only 10 universities (2 national universities, 3 regional universities, 3 field universities and 2 private universities), specifically:
- Hanoi National University
- Ho Chi Minh City National University
- Thai Nguyen University
- Hue University
- Danang University
- Hanoi University of Science and Technology
- University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City
- National Economics University
- Duy Tan University
- Phenikaa University.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tai-sao-truong-dai-hoc-y-duoc-tp-hcm-lai-thanh-lap-them-3-truong-con-20250611145612869.htm
![[Photo] President Luong Cuong talks on the phone with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung](https://vphoto.vietnam.vn/thumb/1200x675/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2025/6/13/eee54a4c903f49bda277272b1dda68e8)
Comment (0)