May a master's degree holder become the principal of a higher education institution in Vietnam?

May a master's degree holder become the principal of a higher education institution in Vietnam?

Under Clause 2, Article 20 of the Law on Higher Education 2012 as amended by Clause 14, Article 1 of the Law on Amendments to Law on Higher Education 2018, the standards of the principal of a higher education institution in Vietnam are as follows:

Principals of higher education institutions

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2. The principal of a higher education institution shall:

a) have political credentials, a doctoral degree; be physically capable of his/her duties; has academic reputation, experience of higher education management and an age conformable with law;

b) satisfy specific standards prescribed by the higher education institution’s internal rules and regulations.

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According to the above regulations, the principal of a higher education institution in Vietnam must hold a doctoral degree. Thus, a master's degree holder is not eligible to become the principal of a higher education institution in Vietnam.

May a master's degree holder become the principal of a higher education institution in Vietnam? (Image from Internet)

What are the duties and powers of the principal of a higher education institution in Vietnam?

According to Clause 3, Article 20 of the Law on Higher Education 2012, as amended by Clause 14, Article 1 of the Law on Amendments to Law on Higher Education 2018, the duties and powers of the principal of a higher education institution in Vietnam are as follows:

- Act as the legal representative and account holder of the higher education institution, unless otherwise prescribed by the internal rules and regulations of the for-profit or non-profit private higher education institution;

- organize professional and academic activities, personnel, finance, assets, domestic and international cooperation and other activities prescribed by law, the higher education institution’s internal rules and regulations and decisions of the school council;

- Submit documents to the school council for issuance after getting comments from relevant entities within the higher education institution; issue other regulations of the higher education institution in accordance with its existing internal rules and regulations;

- Propose designation and dismissal of managers under the management of the school council; designate and dismiss other managers of the higher education institution; decide investment projects in accordance with the higher education institution’s internal rules and regulations;

- Submit annual reports to the school council on performance of the principal and the board of administrators, finance and assets of the higher education institution; ensure transparency and availability of information; comply with regulations on reporting and inspections by competent authorities; assume accountability for the principal’s duties and powers;

- Perform other duties and powers prescribed by law; take responsibility before the law, the school council and relevant parties; be supervised by relevant organizations and individuals regarding fulfillment of given duties and powers.

Which agency has the authority to dismiss the principal of a public higher education institution in Vietnam?

Under Article 16 of the Law on Higher Education 2012 as amended by Clause 10, Article 1 of the Law on Amendments to Law on Higher Education 2018:

School council of a public university

1. The school council of a public university is the executive organization that represents the rights of the owner and other parties with relevant interests.

2. The school council of a public university has the following responsibilities and entitlements:

a) Decide the development strategies, development plans, annual plans of the university; orientation to develop the university into a parent university or merge the university into another;

b) Issue the university’s internal rules and regulations, finance regulations and grassroots democracy regulations in accordance with this Law and relevant laws;

c) Decide plans for enrolment, offering new programs, training, cooperation in education, scientific activities, international cooperation; policies on higher education quality assurance, cooperation between the universities and enterprises and employers;

d) Decide the organizational structure, personnel structure, establishment, merger, division, dissolution of the university’s units; prepare a list of work positions, standards and working conditions thereof; issue regulations on recruitment, employment and management of lecturers and other employees in accordance with law;

dd) Decide and propose recognition or dismissal of the principal; designation and dismissal vice-principal on the basis of the principal’s request; other managerial positions shall be specified in the university’s internal rules and regulations; organize annual performance assessment by the school council president or the principal; have mid-tenure or irregular vote on confidence in the school council president or principal according to the university’s internal rules and regulations;

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Under the above regulations, the school council of a public higher education institution has the authority to dismiss the principal of the institution.