Why did Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine suddenly stop the Vietnamese-German medical program?

Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine informed about the sudden suspension of the Vietnamese-German medical program and proposed solutions for students studying in this program.

Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine informed about the sudden suspension of the Vietnamese-German medical training program.

Photo: Ha Anh

Today (October 22), Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine announced the sudden suspension of the Vietnamese-German medical training program.

German partner has announced the termination of cooperation in training the Vietnamese-German medical program.

The medical doctor training cooperation program between Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU, Germany) was implemented in 2013, with the goal of providing Vietnamese students with the opportunity to study under German standard medical programs. During the implementation process, the program has achieved many positive results, contributing to the training of young doctors with professional capacity and international integration thinking.

However, after a review and official exchange process between the two schools, the German partner announced the termination of the Vietnam-Germany medical training cooperation program from the 2024 school year, due to changes in the policy of providing exam questions and recognizing international medical programs by the German National Institute for Medical Examinations (IMPP). This is a systematic change from the German side, not stemming from any violation or disagreement between the two training institutions.

The decision to terminate the cooperation was issued by Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) and Universitätsmedizin Mainz from June 2024, following an internal request from the German side, stemming from factors such as the IMPP Institute (German Institute for Medical and Pharmaceutical Examinations) stopping providing the national M2 exam after 2027.

"Although Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine has made many efforts to discuss, propose solutions and express its desire to maintain the program in the past time, at the present time, changes in policy from Germany are factors beyond the school's ability to adjust. Therefore, to ensure the learning rights and stability of students, the school has proactively implemented a plan to adjust the Vietnam-Germany medical training program," the school's announcement stated.

Accordingly, for the 2025 course, all students of the 2025 admission course of the Vietnamese-German Faculty of Medicine will be transferred to the regular medical doctor training program of Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, starting from October 20, 2025. Ensuring a 6-year continuous study path, according to the medical doctor training program approved by the Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Health . Public and transparent academic and financial contents, fully protecting the rights of students.

For the 2023 and 2024 courses, based on the roadmap to end cooperation between the two sides from July 2024, the school will actively discuss with partners so that the 2023 and 2024 courses can proceed as before to ensure the rights of students and their families.

Students of the Vietnamese-German medical program at Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine at the graduation ceremony

Photo: PNT

What is the Vietnamese-German medical program?

The Vietnam-Germany Medical Program is known as a European standard medical training program between Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (Germany) in cooperation for the past 12 years.

The Vietnamese-German medical program started in 2013, aiming to train doctors according to German standards with a study period of 6 years and 3 months, including 5 years in Vietnam and 1 year and 3 months of practice at German hospitals.

According to the announcement on tuition and fees for university training in 2025-2026, the tuition fee of the program is 115 million VND/semester, equivalent to 230 million VND/year. In 2024, the tuition fee is 229.9 million VND/year. This fee does not include accommodation, transportation and other expenses.

Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine said it will continue to dialogue with students of the Vietnamese-German medical program to find appropriate solutions for the courses being trained.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/vi-sao-truong-dh-y-khoa-pham-ngoc-thach-dot-ngot-bi-dung-chuong-trinh-y-viet-duc-185251022122021555.htm