Vietnam: Are principals of higher education institutions required to have a doctoral degree?

Are principals of higher education institutions in Vietnam required to have a doctoral degree?

Under Clause 2, Article 20 of the Law on Higher Education 2012 amended by Clause 14, Article 1 of the Law on Amendments to Law on Higher Education 2018, the standards for principals of higher education institutions are stipulated as follows:

Principals of higher education institutions

1. The principal of a university or the director of a parent university (hereinafter referred to as “principal") is the person responsible for management and administration of the higher education institution’s activities in accordance with law and the higher education institution’s internal rules and regulations.

The designation of the principal of a public higher education institution shall be decided by the school council and recognized by a competent authority; the designation of the principal of a for-profit or non-profit private higher education institution shall be decided by the school council.

The tenure of the principal shall be decided by the school council and must not exceed the tenure of the school council.

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.

....

Under the above regulations, the minimum qualification for principals of higher education institutions is to possess a doctoral degree. Thus, principals of higher education institutions must have a doctoral degree.

Are principals of higher education institutions in Vietnam required to have a doctoral degree? (Image from the Internet)

What are the duties and powers of principals of higher education institutions in Vietnam?

Under Clause 3, Article 20 of the Law on Higher Education 2012 amended by Clause 14, Article 1 of the Law on Amendments to Law on Higher Education 2018, the duties and powers of principals of higher education institutions in Vietnam are stipulated 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 entitlements;

- Perform other duties and entitlements 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 entitlements.

Is the principal of a higher education institution in Vietnam a member of the Scientific and Training Council?

Under Clause 2, Article 19 of the Law on Higher Education 2012 with phrases abolished by Clause 2, Article 2 of the Law on Amendments to Law on Higher Education 2018, the regulation is as follows:

The Science and Training Council

1. The Science and Training Councils shall be in charge of counseling the principals and directors on the construction of:

a) The regulations and provisions on the training, science and technology activities, the standards of recruiting lecturers, researchers, library workers, laboratory workers;

b) The plans on developing the teaching staff and researching staff;

c)The plans on training new professions and majors, deploying and canceling the training programs; guiding the scientific and technological development, the plans on science and technology activities, assigning the training, science and technology duties.

2. The Science and Training Council includes: the Principals, the Deputy Principals in charge on training and scientific research; the heads of training and scientific research units; the reputable scientists being the representatives form various professions.

Thus, the principal of a higher education institution in Vietnam is a member of the Scientific and Training Council.