Graduated from a master's program after 1 year but still not recognized degree

Despite having completed the Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) joint training program more than a year ago, the students have yet to have their degrees recognized in Vietnam.

The PGSM diploma awarding ceremony, in collaboration with the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, took place on December 3, 2023. Students from the 16th cohort have not yet received their diplomas – Photo: PGSM

Students of the 16th cohort of the EMBA program, a joint training program between the Paris Graduate School of Management (France) and the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, are expressing great frustration as they have been waiting for over a year without receiving their diplomas.

"Lost my job for using an unaccredited master's degree."

Speaking to Tuoi Tre Online , Ms. NHTN - a student in the 16th cohort of the EMBA program - said that on July 27, 2020, when she was advised about this joint training program, an employee of the PGSM office in Ho Chi Minh City affirmed that it was a European-standard program, with a master's degree awarded by the Paris School of Management, recognized by the French and Vietnamese Ministries of Education , and valid globally.

"I completed the program on December 8, 2023, but to this day, I and other students have not received the diploma recognition results from the Diploma Recognition Center - Ministry of Education and Training ."

In 2023, I was forced to resign from my job because I was using an unaccredited master's degree. I was also unable to continue my doctoral studies at the International University (Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City).

"This has had a significant impact on my life and work, causing harm to my time, finances, and mental well-being, as well as that of other students," Ms. N. expressed her frustration.

Some students have also reported that not only those in cohort 16, but also students from previous cohorts of this joint training program have not yet received their diplomas.

According to the students, to participate in this program, the following conditions must be met: a university degree; at least one year of work experience; and a B2 level in English (European standard) or equivalent international English certificates (IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL 500).

Candidates without an English certificate will take an English proficiency test at the International Training Institute - IEI (Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City).

The course takes 18 months to complete (classes are held on weekends). The total course fee is $7,800.

The school has been working with the Ministry of Education and Training to review the recognition of the diploma.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre Online , a representative from the International University (Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City) stated that the joint international MBA program with PGSM was assigned by Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City to the IEI Institute for implementation in June 2013.

Since 2021, the IEI Institute has been restructured, and the International University of Ho Chi Minh City has been assigned the task of continuing to operate the program (implementing joint training programs with foreign countries at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels transferred from the IEI Institute).

All courses in the program are enrolled before the International University takes over. The International University receives students from courses 15 to 17, while the records for courses 1 to 14 are managed by the Institute for Leadership Development - Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (formerly IEI Institute).

In March 2023, the Quality Management Department of the Ministry of Education and Training sent a letter to the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City regarding the diplomas for the joint training program with the Paris School of Management.

This includes the following content: "Master of Business Administration degrees awarded within the framework of the joint training program between PGSM and the International University - Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City from September 2015 onwards are not eligible for degree recognition."

Following guidance from the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, the International University collaborated with its partners to provide explanations and work with the Ministry of Education and Training.

The Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City has also held discussions with the National Economics University (an affiliate of PGSM in the North) to have the two institutions work directly with the Ministry to resolve issues related to the PGSM joint program.

In August 2024, the Ministry of Education and Training issued a conclusion regarding the PGSM joint program. Following this conclusion, the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM) chaired the establishment of an evaluation council to recognize the equivalence of degree levels for learners.

Shortly thereafter, the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City and the National Economics University reported the results of the evaluation to the ministry.

In December 2024, the Quality Management Department sent a document regarding the recognition of diplomas from the joint training program with the Paris School of Management and requested training institutions to submit a list of students.

According to this document, the department has agreed to recognize the diplomas for students from the courses that were experiencing issues (courses after 2015). The school has compiled a list of all students and submitted it to the department by December 31, 2024, for consideration and recognition of their diplomas.

"The PGSM certificate will be recognized," but the results are not yet available.

Regarding the PGSM program, a representative from the International University stated that diploma recognition is a complex issue that has dragged on since the beginning of 2023.

"According to the Quality Management Department's official letter, the PGSM diploma will essentially be recognized. However, since the International University's response letter has only just been sent, we are awaiting the final result, which is the official diploma recognition document for the students."

The long waiting times for students are causing frustration, but diploma recognition is a complex issue that requires adherence to proper procedures and regulations.

The International University has made every effort to coordinate with relevant authorities to resolve the issue, so that students can obtain degrees that are recognized in Vietnam.

However, the progress of the resolution depends on many related units and is prolonged because it requires the proper and complete implementation of all review steps," a school representative said.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tot-nghiep-thac-si-chuong-trinh-lien-ket-sau-1-nam-van-chua-duoc-cong-nhan-van-bang-20250113171015085.htm