VIETNAM

VIETNAM: Doctoral training placed under strict scrutiny

After Vietnam's Ministry of Education and Training suspended sub-standard doctoral programmes at 35 universities and institutes, many of them are worrying about challenges they must overcome before a 2012 deadline set by the ministry, reports Saigon Giai Phong.

Under a recent decision by the ministry, the 35 institutions - several of them well-known - must suspend PhD training in 101 fields, reform the programmes and report their actions to the ministry by 15 May 2012 if they want to continue doctoral training.

Dr Tran Van Phoi, head of postgraduate training at the HCMC Medicine and Pharmacy University, said the institution began doctoral training programmes in 1987 and was now offering PhDs in 48 disciplines. The institution had failed to fulfill requirements on qualifications of teachers in six training categories. Many other universities are experiencing similar problems, including HCMC University of Architecture, Naval Academy, Teachers' Training Universities in Hanoi and HCMC, where the enrolment of doctoral students has temporarily stopped due to a shortage of qualified teachers.
Full report on the Saigon Giai Phong site