Do branches of higher education institutions in Vietnam have principals?
Do branches of higher education institutions in Vietnam have principals? Can foreign higher education institutions have branches in Vietnam?
I am a student at a university in Ho Chi Minh City, my school has a branch in Quang Ngai province. Can you tell me if the university's branch has a principal or not? Please advise. Thank you.
1. Do branches of higher education institutions in Vietnam have principals?
In Clause 1, Article 11 of Decree 99/2019/ND-CP, there are regulations on branches of higher education institutions in Vietnam as follows:
1. Branches of higher education institutions in Vietnam shall be established and operated according to regulations in Clause 15 Article 1 of the Law on amendments to the Law on Higher Education, existing Governmental regulations on conditions for educational investment and operation and the following regulations:
a) A branch of a higher education institution shall comprise a branch director, branch deputy director(s) and service units meeting its operating requirements; its organization and operation shall be stipulated in the organizational and operating regulations of its institution;
b) The branch shall perform the duties and exercise the powers prescribed by its institution.
According to the current regulations, branches of higher education institutions in Vietnam will have a branch director, branch deputy director(s) and service units meeting its operating requirements, without the title of principal.
2. Can foreign higher education institutions have branches in Vietnam?
In Clause 2, Article 11 of Decree 99/2019/ND-CP, there are regulations on branches of foreign higher education institutions in Vietnam as follows:
2. Branches of foreign higher education institutions in Vietnam shall be established and operated according to regulations in Clause 15 Article 1 of the Law on amendments to the Law on Higher Education and the following regulations:
a) The foreign higher education institution establishing a branch in Vietnam must be operating legally and accredited according to regulations of its home country;
b) The branch’s investment capital is at least VND 500 billion (exclusive of land use costs); by the time of appraisal to grant permission for its establishment, more than VND 250 billion would have been contributed;
c) The branch meets other establishment and operation conditions, and carries out procedures and exercises powers concerning foreign educational cooperation and investment according to regulations applied to foreign-invested higher education institutions in Vietnam;
d) Training programs at the branch shall comprise programs possessing an unexpired accreditation certificate or approved by competent authorities under laws of the home country of the foreign higher education institution, and continuing educational programs deployed at the branch by such foreign institution according to Clause 3 Article 1 of the Law on amendments to the Law on Higher Education;
dd) Branch dissolution and operation suspension shall be carried out under existing regulations on foreign educational cooperation and investment applied to foreign-invested higher education institutions in Vietnam.
According to this Article, branches of foreign higher education institutions are allowed to be established in Vietnam. However, it is necessary to meet the conditions specified above.
Best Regards!
