VIETNAM

University autonomy improves training quality

Financial autonomy has helped many universities in Ho Chi Minh City improve their facilities, human resources, scientific research and training quality, thereby building a brand name both locally and internationally, reports Viet Nam News.

Tertiary education autonomy began in 2006 with financial independence among six public universities. For the 2014-15 period, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung approved other pilot programmes which involved granting autonomy in the making of decisions about training, scientific research, international co-operation and higher tuition fees.

After four years of operating under the state's allocation for university facilities, staff salaries and other items, the Ho Chi Minh City International University, one of the members of the Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, which teaches all curricula in English, asked permission to have financial autonomy in 2008. Dr Ho Thanh Phong, the university's rector, said that with financial autonomy, the university was given permission to collect higher tuition fees.
Full report on the Viet Nam News site