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

Who is the principal of a higher education institution in Vietnam?

According to Clause 1, 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 principal of a higher education institution is defined 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.

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Thus, the principal of a higher education institution is the person responsible for management and administration of the higher education institution’s activities.

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.

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

- Acts as the legal representative and the account holder of the higher education institution, except where the organizational and operational regulations of a private higher education institution or a non-profit private higher education institution provide otherwise;

- Organizes the implementation of activities related to specialization, academics, organization, personnel, finance, assets, domestic and international cooperation, and other activities in accordance with the law, the organizational and operational regulations of the higher education institution, and the decisions of the higher education institution council;

- Submits documents within the authority of the higher education institution council, after obtaining comments from related organizations, units, and individuals in the higher education institution; issues other regulations of the higher education institution in accordance with the organizational and operational regulations of the higher education institution;

- Proposes the higher education institution council to consider the appointment, dismissal, or removal of management titles under the authority of the higher education institution council;

- Implements the appointment, dismissal, or removal of other management titles within the higher education institution, decides investment projects according to the organizational and operational regulations of the higher education institution;

- Annually reports to the higher education institution council on the results of the duties performed by the principal and the board of directors, the finance, and assets of the higher education institution;

- Makes information public and transparent; complies with the reporting policies and undergoes inspections by the competent authorities; fulfills the accountability within the assigned duties and powers;

- Performs other duties and powers as prescribed by law; is accountable before the law, the higher education institution council, and related parties; is supervised by related individuals and organizations regarding the performance of assigned duties and powers.

What are the qualifications required for principals of higher education institutions in Vietnam?

According to 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 qualifications required for principals of higher education institutions 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.

Thus, principals of higher education institutions in Vietnam must hold a doctoral degree.