What is the organizational structure of a university in Vietnam? What are the responsibilities and entitlements of the school council of a public university in Vietnam?

What is a university according to the law in Vietnam?

According to Clause 2, Article 4 of the Higher Education Law 2012 (amended by Clause 2, Article 1 of the Amended Higher Education Law 2018), the university is defined as follows:

Definitions

For the purposes of this Law, the terms below are construed as follows:

1. “higher education institution” means an education institution of the national education system and is permitted to provide higher education training, engage in science and technology activities and serve the community.

2. “university” means a higher education institution that provides training in multiple academic disciplines and has an organizational structure conformable with this Law.

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Thus, a university is a higher education institution that provides training in multiple academic disciplines and has an organizational structure conformable with the Higher Education Law 2012.

What is the organizational structure of a university in Vietnam? What are the responsibilities and entitlements of the school council of a public university in Vietnam?​ (Image from the Internet)

What is the organizational structure of a university in Vietnam?

Based on Clause 1, Article 14 of the Higher Education Law 2012 (amended by Clause 8, Article 1 of the Amended Higher Education Law 2018), the organizational structure of a university in Vietnam includes:

- The university council or academy council (hereinafter referred to as “school council");

- The university principal or academy director (hereinafter referred to as “principal”); the vice-principals or vice-directors (hereinafter referred to as “vice-principals”);

- The science and training council; other councils (if any);

- Faculties, dedicated rooms, library, science and technology organization, other organizations serving training activities;

- Schools, campuses, research institutes, service facilities, enterprises, business establishments and other units (if any) necessary for development of the university.

* The specific organizational structure or a university, relationship and level of autonomy of its affiliated units and internal units shall be specified in the university’s internal rules and regulations.

What are the responsibilities and entitlements of the school council of a public university in Vietnam?

According to Clause 2, Article 16 of the Higher Education Law 2012 (amended by Clause 10, Article 1 of the Amended Higher Education Law 2018), the school council of a public university in Vietnam has the following responsibilities and authority:

- 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;

- Issue the university’s internal rules and regulations, finance regulations and grassroots democracy regulations in accordance with the Higher Education Law 2012 and relevant laws;

- 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;

- 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;

- 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;

- Decide policies on attracting investments in the universities; tuition fees and assistance for students; approve financial plans;

Approve annual financial statements and statements of lawful sources of income of the university;

- Decide investment guidelines and use of valuable assets under the management of the university in accordance with its internal rules and regulations;

Decide salaries, bonuses and other benefits of holders of managerial positions according to their performance, and other issues under the university’s internal rules and regulations;

- Supervise the implementation of decisions issued by the school council, adherence to law, implementation of democracy regulations during the university’s operation and the principal’s accountability;

Supervise the management and use of funds and assets of the university; submit annual reports on supervision results to the school assembly.

- Adhere to law; take responsibility before the law and to competent authorities and relevant parties for decisions made by the school council;

Ensure transparency and availability of information and reports;

Facilitate inspections by competent authorities;

Assume accountability within the scope responsibility and power of the school council;

Facilitate supervision by the society, organizations and individuals within the university;

- Other responsibilities and entitlements specified in the university’s internal rules and regulations.