Thanh Hoa province decides to merge two universities.

Thanh Hoa province has just decided on a plan to merge the University of Culture, Sports and Tourism into Hong Duc University, and the merger plan will be completed in the first quarter of 2026.

The merger of the two universities will be completed in 2026.

On December 19th, information from the Office of the People's Committee of Thanh Hoa province indicated that the provincial People's Committee had just issued a decision on the plan for restructuring public service units and state-owned enterprises under its management authority.

From 2026, Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism will merge with Hong Duc University.

PHOTO: MINH HAI

In Thanh Hoa province, the education sector currently comprises a total of 2,166 units. Specifically, the system of preschools, primary schools, secondary schools, and multi-level general education schools is being reorganized according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Education and Training.

For universities, colleges, vocational schools, and continuing education centers, the People's Committee of Thanh Hoa province has decided on a plan and roadmap for restructuring.

Notably, the People's Committee of Thanh Hoa province has decided to merge Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism into Hong Duc University.

The People's Committee of Thanh Hoa province has assigned Hong Duc University to take the lead, in coordination with the Departments of Internal Affairs, Education and Training, the University of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and other relevant units, to develop and finalize the merger plan by the first quarter of 2026 for submission to the Provincial Party Standing Committee and the Provincial People's Committee for consideration and decision. Thus, according to the roadmap, the merger of these two universities will be completed by 2026.

Hong Duc University was established in 1997 through the merger of three schools: Thanh Hoa Teacher Training College, Thanh Hoa Economic and Technical College, and Thanh Hoa Medical College. Hong Duc University currently offers training in many fields such as engineering and technology; economics and business administration; and education. The university currently has 29 associate professors; approximately 200 PhD holders; 7 doctoral programs; 21 master's programs; and 40 undergraduate programs.

Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism was established in 2011, based on the upgrading of Thanh Hoa College of Culture and Arts. The university currently offers one doctoral program; three master's programs; and 22 undergraduate programs. The university offers training in many fields, including: cultural management, media technology, library and information science, social work, computer science education, tourism, hotel management, tourism and travel service management, early childhood education, primary education, vocal music, sports management, and physical education.

Establish more vocational high schools.

Regarding the college system, the People's Committee of Thanh Hoa province has decided to retain the College of Health Sciences; reorganize Thanh Hoa Industrial College by merging with Nghi Son Vocational College; and reorganize the College of Agriculture by merging with the Vocational College of Technology.

For vocational schools and continuing education centers, Thanh Hoa province has decided to retain the Thanh Hoa Transportation Vocational School, the Thanh Hoa Mountain Region Vocational School, and the Thanh Hoa Commerce and Tourism Vocational School.

Transform the Vocational Training School for Disabled Youth in Extremely Difficult Circumstances into a specialized public educational institution for people with disabilities; transform Thach Thanh Vocational Training School, Nga Son Vocational Training School, and Bim Son Vocational Training School into three vocational high schools.

The merger and conversion of 23 vocational training and continuing education centers with class sizes that did not meet regulations and had few students into 14 vocational high schools equivalent to high school level, under the Department of Education and Training, will be carried out.

Specifically, the Vocational Training and Continuing Education Centers in the former district-level units will be merged into vocational high schools, including: Muong Lat, Quan Son, and Quan Hoa; Sam Son and Quang Xuong; Ngoc Lac and Lang Chanh; Nhu Thanh and Nhu Xuan; Tho Xuan and Thuong Xuan; Vinh Loc and Thach Thanh; Thieu Hoa and Yen Dinh; Hau Loc and Ha Trung; Nghi Son and Nong Cong; Vocational Training and Continuing Education Center No. 1 and Thanh Hoa General Technical Continuing Education Center.

Specifically, the Vocational Training and Continuing Education Centers in the former districts of Cam Thuy, Ba Thuoc, Trieu Son, and Hoang Hoa were not merged but transformed into four vocational high schools because these centers had a large number of students.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thanh-hoa-quyet-dinh-sap-nhap-2-truong-dai-hoc-185251219161241325.htm