How is Independent Review of Doctoral Dissertations Regulated?
According to Article 15 of the Regulations on Admission and Training at the Doctoral Level issued alongside Circular 18/2021/TT-BGDDT (Effective from August 15, 2021) regarding independent dissertation review, specifically:
Independent review is a mandatory process before a doctoral candidate's dissertation is defended at the Dissertation Evaluation Council of the training institution. No later than 06 months from the time the doctoral candidate completes the dissertation submission procedures after being approved by the specialized unit, the training institution must complete the independent review process for the doctoral candidate; in cases where a second round of independent review is required under Clause 3 of this Article, the time may be extended by a maximum of 03 months.
The dissertation of the doctoral candidate will be subject to independent review by 02 scientists or experts who are not staff members of the training institution, with expertise suitable to the dissertation topic, and meeting the standards for an independent supervisor as specified in Article 5 of this Regulation. The independent reviewers must have no direct interests related to the doctoral candidate and the supervisor; not be parents, spouse, children, siblings of the doctoral candidate; not have connections of direct cooperation or support with the doctoral candidate concerning the dissertation content and the supervisor during the dissertation period.
Independent reviews must ensure objectivity and transparency. The review conclusions by independent reviewers regarding the dissertation must clearly state agreement or disagreement on the professional aspects. A dissertation is determined to have passed the independent review process when agreed upon by 02 independent reviewers. If 01 reviewer disagrees, the training institution sends the dissertation for review by an additional independent reviewer as a basis for the final decision. If 02 independent reviewers disagree on the professional quality of the dissertation, the training institution requires the doctoral candidate and the supervisor to revise, supplement the dissertation, and execute the second round of independent review. A third round of independent review will not be conducted.
Information about independent reviewers is kept confidential from the doctoral candidate and the supervisor. Independent reviewers do not contact or request the doctoral candidate to provide information or explain the review opinions. All contact with reviewers during the independent review process is the responsibility of the training institution. The doctoral candidate's explanatory opinions are sent to the training institution and presented at the dissertation defense session.
The training institution specifies the process for selecting, sending for opinions, and handling independent review opinions; ensuring the confidentiality of the identity and personal information of independent reviewers.
Sincerely!
