Vietnam: Conditions for recognizing qualifications and awarding doctoral degrees

Conditions for recognizing qualifications and awarding doctoral degrees (Image from Internet)

1. Conditions for recognizing qualifications and awarding doctoral degrees

According to Article 19 of the regulation issued with Circular 18/2021/TT-BGDDT, the conditions for recognizing the degree and awarding the doctoral diploma are as follows:

• A doctoral candidate is considered for recognition and the awarding of a doctoral diploma when they meet the following requirements:

  • The candidate's dissertation has been approved by the dissertation evaluation council of the training institution;

  • The candidate has submitted to the training institution (both printed and electronic versions) the final complete dissertation signed by the candidate, confirmed by the supervisor, and confirmed by the Chairman of the dissertation evaluation council after completing all revisions and supplements (if any);

  • The candidate has submitted to the National Library of Vietnam (both printed and electronic versions) the summary and the final complete dissertation signed by the candidate, signed by the supervisor, and confirmed by the training institution.

• The training institution publishes the final complete dissertation of the candidate on its electronic information page (except for those dissertations evaluated as confidential) within three months from the time the candidate meets all the requirements specified in Clause 1, Article 19 of the regulation issued with Circular 18/2021/TT-BGDDT.

• After the period specified in Clause 2, Article 19 of the regulation issued with Circular 18/2021/TT-BGDDT, the training institution organizes the consideration and issuance of the decision recognizing the doctoral level for the candidate.

• The training institution creates a file to consider the recognition of the doctoral level and the awarding of the doctoral diploma, including:

  • Minutes of the dissertation evaluation session at the training institution;

  • Resolution approving the dissertation of the dissertation evaluation council of the training institution;

  • Ballot counting minutes, evaluation ballots of the dissertation signed by all members of the council present at the evaluation session;

  • Comments and evaluations of the candidate’s supervisor; confirmation of completed revisions and supplements to the dissertation by the supervisor and the Chairman of the dissertation evaluation council (if any);

  • Other documents as required by the training institution.

• The training institution awards the doctoral diploma to the candidate within 30 working days from the effective date of the decision recognizing the doctoral level.

2. Regulations on admission and recognition of doctoral candidates

The regulations on admission and recognition of doctoral candidates are detailed in Article 8 of the regulation issued with Circular 18/2021/TT-BGDDT as follows:

• Admission can be organized one or multiple times per year as decided by the training institution when it meets the quality assurance conditions to implement doctoral training at the current level.

• Admission methods include entrance exams, selection, or a combination of exams and selection as decided by the training institution to ensure transparent, fair, objective, and honest evaluations of the knowledge and abilities of the applicants. The training institution may organize online admissions if it meets the quality assurance conditions equivalent to direct admissions.

• Admission notices must be publicly announced on the training institution's electronic information page at least 30 working days before the admission takes place, including information on the target and admission conditions; specialized admission requirements; admission quotas; application documents, admission plan, and methods; announcement of admission results and enrollment dates; tuition fees, policies on fee exemptions and reductions, and financial support for doctoral candidates during their studies (if any); and other necessary information as required by the training program and the training institution.

• During the admission process, the training institution must conduct internal checks, inspections, and supervision as per current regulations.

• The decision recognizing a doctoral candidate must include full information: candidate’s name, training major, proposed dissertation title, supervisor(s), specialized unit managing the candidate, and training period with a detailed study and research plan for the entire course.

• The training institution's regulations detail the admission plan, admission announcements, admission methods, the organization of admissions, and the recognition of doctoral candidates; regulations on archiving for management, verification, supervision, inspection, and control; specific responsibilities and sanctions for violations by groups, units, and individuals involved in organizing admissions and recognizing doctoral candidates.

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