Decision No. 1505/QD-TTg dated October 14, 2008 of the Prime Minister approving the scheme on the implementation of advanced training programs at a number of Vietnamese universities in the 2008-2015 period

DECISION

APPROVING THE SCHEME ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ADVANCED TRAINING PROGRAMS AT A NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE UNIVERSITIES IN THE 2008-2015 PERIOD

THE PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the December 25, 2001 Law on Organization of the Government;

Pursuant to the June 14, 2005 Education Law;

Pursuant to the Government's Decree No. 14/2005/NQ-CP of November 2, 2005, on the fundamental and comprehensive renovation of Vietnam's tertiary education in the 2006-2020 period;

At the proposal of the Minister of Education and Training,

DECIDES:

Article 1.- To approve the Scheme on the implementation of advanced training programs at a number of Vietnamese universities in the 2008-2015 period, with the following principal contents:

1. Objectives

a/ General objectives

To implement a number of advanced tertiary training programs in order to create conditions for the formation and development of several training disciplines, faculties and universities up to regional and international standards; to contribute to raising the quality and implementing programs on the fundamental and comprehensive renovation of Vietnam's tertiary education: to strive for the target that by 2020. some Vietnamese universities will be ranked among the 200 leading universities in the world.

b/ Specific targets

- By the end of 2015, at least 30 advanced bachelor training programs will be implemented at some Vietnamese universities.

- By 2015. about 4.000 bachelors and 600 masters and doctors will be trained under advanced training programs.

- By 2015, about 3.000 foreign students will come to study and at least 700 turns of international scientists will come to give lectures or conduct research under advanced programs at training institutions in Vietnam.

- By 2015,1,000 tertiary lecturers will be trained up to regional and international standards; 100% of lecturers teaching theoretical subjects under advanced programs will possess a doctorate.

- By 2015, at least 100 tertiary education administrators will be trained and re-trained up to regional and international standards to satisfy new administration requirements in universities in Vietnam.

- By 2015, at least 100 scientific works in areas and disciplines trained under advanced training programs will be publicized in prestigious foreign scientific journals.

- To supply more equipment for teaching, studying and research activities according to international standards, to strive for the target that by 2015. at least 20 laboratories and 15 e-libraries will be built and improved up to regional and international standards.

2. Criteria for determination and implementation of advanced programs

a/ A to-be-implemented advanced program is a program which is designed by a fraining institution on the basis of a training program currently applied at an advanced university in the world (below referred to as the original program) in terms of training contents and methods and organization and administration process, lectured in English and integrated with Marxist-Leninist sciences compulsory for Vietnamese students.

b/ The original program shall be selected from training programs of universities among the world's top 200 universities ranked by world prestigious education associations or organizations or the 20% best training programs in the list of training disciplines of national or international education accreditation associations or organizations, have advanced contents which are relevant to our country's socio-economic development orientations and suitable to the capacity of the university where it is to be applied.

c/ In the initial years, to use training programs approved by the Ministry of Education and Training for the whole course, ensuring the practice time and conditions according to the original programs; after each training course, to evaluate and. make adjustments or supplements to the programs, when necessary, so as to ensure that they satisfy requirements of the country's socio-economic development and international integration.

d/ Lecturers participating in advanced programs must possess a master or higher degree and professional and English language qualifications to meet teaching requirements. Training institutions may invite foreign lecturers for the first course. However, they shall work out specific plans to ensure that Vietnamese lecturers can step by step lake charge of teaching advanced programs in subsequent courses.

e/ Administrators of advanced programs must possess adequate professional and managerial qualifications as well as computer and English skills to meet requirements.

f/ Students enrolled on advanced training programs must be those who are qualified to attend formal tertiary courses, proficient in English to meet studying requirements, voluntarily register to an advanced program and pay training fees in accordance with regulations of training institutions.

g/ The duration of an advanced training course is 4.5-5 years, with the first year for improving students' English language skills. The number of students to be enrolled on the first course will range between 30 and 50, and incrementally increase based on practical capabilities and conditions, graduation diplomas will be granted by a Vietnamese university or jointly by a Vietnamese university and its foreign partner.

h/ To organize training under the credit-based system, apply modem teaching and evaluation methods; organize the evaluation of study subjects and lecturers by students according to evaluation forms provided by partner universities; research and apply administration software of partner universities to training administration and student management; to request partner universities to evaluateadvanced programs currently applied, elaborate accreditation plans then strive to use accreditation criteria and register the accreditation of advanced programs with organizations which have accredited original programs of partner universities.

i/ To create conditions for lecturers participating in advanced programs so that they can devote at least 40% of their time to scientific research; set up research groups and create mechanisms to encourage scientific and technological activities; and enter into cooperation with foreign countries in scientific research.

j/ In the course of implementation of advanced programs, universities shall take the initiative in studying organizational and administration models, the organizational structure of the university council, and management methods of their partner universities so as to devise appropriate organizational and administration models which can be effectively applied in their practical conditions.

3. Criteria for selection of universities to implement advanced programs

Universities will be assigned to implement advanced programs when they satisfy the following criteria:

a/ Having registered a scheme on the implementation of advanced training programs which are up to quality standards and are selected under the common evaluation and selection process prescribed by the Ministry of Education and Training.

b/ Ensuring the quantity and quality of full-time administrators and lecturers as prescribed, meeting the requirements for the successful implementation of advanced programs, having worked out a plan on the lecturing staff, to satisfy by at least 80% of requirements of advanced programs in the first phase, and all requirements in subsequent phases.

c/ Having material foundations necessary for training programs and lecturers, striving to prepare adequate equipment and laboratories before providing specialized training.

d/ Having worked out specific and feasible plans to ensure financing for the implementation of advanced programs: being capable of mobilizing enterprises and other partners to participate in or provide financial assistance for the implementation of advanced programs.

e/ Having training experience, especially in disciplines registered for training under advanced programs; having recorded outstanding achievements in their training activities, scientific and technological activities and the renovation of their organization and administration. Key universities will be prioritized for selection for the implementation of advanced programs.

4. Duration for implementation of the Scheme: from 2008 to 2015.

5. Number of advanced programs to be implemented: at least 30 (including advanced programs already permitted by the Ministry of Education and Training for pilot implementation since 2006).

6. Financial sources and mechanisms

a/ Financial supports provided from the state budget's regular expense source for training institutions for the first three courses conducted under advanced programs will be about VND 859.743 billion (accounting for 60% of the estimated funding need); the amount balanced by the universities themselves and students* contributions will respectively account for 25% and 15% of the estimated funding need.

b/ Financial mechanisms: Universities implementing advanced programs may determine training fee rates and expenditure norms for teaching and learning activities of advanced training courses on the principle of reasonability. publicity, transparency, thriftiness and efficiency so as to realize objectives set forth in each period in conformity with the State's current regulations on the management and use of budget sources.

Article 2.- Organization of implementation

l. The Ministry of Education and Training shall:

a/ Provide for the formulation of schemes on registration for the implementation of advanced programs and prescribe criteria and order of. and procedures for. the selection of training disciplines and training establishments to be assigned to implement advanced programs, ensuring quality and objectivity.

b/ Direct and work out a specific plan on the implementation of this Scheme; organize activities to promote the effective implementation of advanced training programs in order to obtain set objectives.

c/ Assume the prime responsibility for. and coordinate with relevant agencies in, organizing examination, inspection and evaluation of implementation results: organize preliminary and final reviews and draw experience so as to make adjustments and settle in time arising problems.

d/ Coordinate with the Ministry of Science and Technology in assigning scientific and technological tasks under advanced programs; examine, evaluate and organize takeover tests of scientific and technological activities under advanced programs.

e/ Coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in assisting training institutions assigned to implement advanced programs in implementing international cooperation plans: coordinate with the Ministry of Public Security and concerned agencies in settling immigration procedures related to the implementation of advanced programs.

2. The Ministry of Finance shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Education and Training in. allocating budget capital for the implementation of the Scheme on advanced training programs: and work out financial norms for the implementation of these programs.

Article 3.- This Decision takes effect on the date of its signing.

Article 4.- Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government-attached agencies and presidents of provincial/municipal People's Committees shall implement this Decision.