Is Fulbright University Vietnam a 100 percent foreign-invested university?

Is Fulbright University Vietnam a 100 percent foreign-invested university?

Fulbright University Vietnam (FUV) is an independent university with 100% foreign investment, operating on a non-profit basis. (Article 2 Decision 819/QD-TTg 2016).

The university was officially established in May 2016. The main headquarters of the university is located in Ho Chi Minh City. (Article 2 Decision 819/QD-TTg 2016).

According to Article 1 Decision 819/QD-TTg 2016, Fulbright University Vietnam is abbreviated as FUV.

According to the regulations of Vietnamese law, the establishment of a foreign-invested higher education institution must have investment capital based on Clause 4 Article 35 Decree 86/2018/ND-CP, which stipulates the investment capital for foreign-invested educational institutions as follows:

Investment Capital

“1. Investment projects for the establishment of preschool education institutions must have investment capital of at least VND 30 million/child (excluding land use costs). The total minimum investment capital is calculated based on the planned maximum enrollment size. The investment capital plan must be suitable for the projected enrollment size of each stage.

2. Investment projects for the establishment of primary and secondary educational institutions must have investment capital of at least VND 50 million/student (excluding land use costs). The total minimum investment capital is calculated based on the planned maximum enrollment size, but not less than VND 50 billion.

3. Investment projects for the establishment of short-term training institutions must have investment capital of at least VND 20 million/learner (excluding land use costs). The total minimum investment capital is calculated based on the planned maximum enrollment size.

4. Investment projects for the establishment of higher education institutions must have a minimum total investment capital of VND 1,000 billion (excluding land use costs). The foreign-invested economic organization which is the project investor must demonstrate its financial capability according to the provisions of the Law on Investment. By the time of the appraisal for university establishment approval, the realized investment value must exceed VND 500 billion.

5. Investment projects applying for the establishment of branches of foreign-invested higher education institutions in Vietnam must have a minimum investment capital of VND 250 billion (excluding land use costs). By the time of the appraisal for branch establishment approval, the realized investment value must exceed VND 150 billion.

6. For foreign-invested educational institutions not constructing new facilities but renting or using existing Vietnamese facilities as capital contribution, the minimum investment must reach 70% of the levels specified in Clauses 1, 2, 3, and 4 of this Article.”

Thus, FUV is a 100 percent foreign-invested university according to Decision 819/QD-TTg 2016.

What is Fulbright University Vietnam? (Image from Internet)

What are the infrastructural and equipment requirements for a foreign-invested university in Vietnam?

Based on Article 36 Decree 86/2018/ND-CP, foreign-invested universities must have facilities and equipment that include:

- For short-term training institutions:

+ Suitable classrooms in terms of lighting, furniture, equipment, and teaching aids;

+ Sufficient learning and teaching area to ensure a minimum average of 2.5 m² per learner for the institution;

+ Offices for the director board, leaders, teachers' room, library, and other functional rooms.

- For higher education institutions and branches of higher education institutions with foreign investment in Vietnam:

+ Land area for building the university to ensure a minimum average of 25 m² per student at the time of maximum planned enrollment;

+ Building area per student to be at least 9 m², including at least 6 m² for learning space and at least 3 m² for student accommodation and living space;

+ Adequate classrooms, functional rooms, and training facilities appropriate to the training sectors and training organization methods;

+ Sufficient office space, administrative area, and office for the board of management to meet the organizational structure for departments, faculties, specialized subjects, ensuring a minimum area of 8 m² per person;

+ Hall, library, experimental facilities, practical facilities, and other facilities to meet the requirements of the training programs and scientific-technological activities;

+ Canteen, recreational, sporting, cultural, and healthcare facilities and services to serve the living and working needs of staff, lecturers, and students;

+ Technical zone, parking lot for cars, motorcycles, and bicycles.

What documents are needed to establish a foreign-invested university in Vietnam?

Based on Clause 2 Article 41 Decree 86/2018/ND-CP regarding the establishment dossier for preschools, primary and secondary schools, and higher education institutions with foreign investment, the dossier includes:

- Application for permission to establish the educational institution as specified in Point a Clause 1 Article 41 Decree 86/2018/ND-CP;

- Certified copy or original copy for comparison of the investment registration certificate;

- Establishment scheme for the educational institution as specified in Point b Clause 1 Article 41 Decree 86/2018/ND-CP;

- Certified copy or original copy for comparison of the land lease approval document by the provincial People's Committee for the construction of physical facilities (specifying the address, area, and boundaries of the land), or preliminary lease agreement for available facilities suitable to Clause 5 Article 36 Decree 86/2018/ND-CP and related legal documents;

- Plan for the physical facilities of the educational institution or investment project to build the physical facilities, including the explanation and detailed design of the educational institution;

- Documents proving financial capacity according to the provisions of Article 35 Decree 86/2018/ND-CP.