How long is the term of a university principal in Vietnam? What are the criteria for becoming a principal at a higher education institution in Vietnam?

How long is the term of a university president in Vietnam?

According to Clause 14, Article 1 of the amended Law on Higher Education 2018:

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.

According to this Clause, Clause 10, Article 1 of the Law on Higher Education as amended in 2018 stipulates that the University Council of the public university is as follows:

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5. List of members, tenure and working regulations of the school council of a public university:

a) The list of president and members of the school council shall be posted on the university’s website after it is recognized by a competent authority;

b) The tenure of a school council is 05 years. The school council shall hold a periodic meeting at least every 03 months and ad hoc meetings as requested by the president or principal or at least one third of the school council members. A school council meeting is considered valid when it is participated by 50% of the members, including external members;

c) The school council shall work on the principle of collectives and make decisions under the majority rule, unless a higher ratio is prescribed by the university’s internal rules and regulations; decisions of the school councils shall be presented in the form of resolutions,

Thus, according to the current regulations, depending on the decisions of the university council, the university council will have different term of office of the university rector. However, only within the term of the university council, the university council is 05 years in Vietnam.

Criteria for becoming a principal in a higher education institution in Vietnam

According to Clause 14, Article 1 of the amended Law on Higher Education 2018 also stipulates:

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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.

According this Clause, in order for teachers of higher education institutions in Vietnam to be able to become principals, it is necessary to meet the above conditions.

Best Regards!