HCM City's newly-appointed party leader Dinh La Thang offered advice to a non-state local university on dealing with difficulties to realise their ambitious goal of becoming an internationally-standardised one.
During the visit to Ton Duc Thang University, he was impressed with the university’s facilities and administration and appreciated the efforts made.
HCM City's newly-appointed party leader Dinh La Thang (middle) on the visit to Ton Duc Thang University
Established in 1997, Ton Duc Thang University under the management of Vietnam General Confederation of Labour now has 1,760 teachers and staff. The university has determined to apply international standards in educational activities and become a leading university in the next seven years.
Dr. Le Vinh Danh, the university’s principal, said that under the government's decrees, the university is allowed to open their faculties and adjust courses. However, the university has not got the right to decide their management as this right remains with the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour. So, he claimed, it was difficult for the university to operate as a business.
Dang Ngoc Tung, Chairman of the confederation, said that it is the Article 20 of the Education Law that does not allow universities to decide their own management board.
Thang suggested the confederation should seek the government's approval for Ton Duc Thang University to pilot their own management board.
According to Thang, the university's management board should not include members who are HCM City's leaders and instead look at hiring people with expertise in education.
"I highly appreciate Ton Duc Thang University's ambitious goal to become one of the world’s top 500 universities in the next 20 years. The university should submit specific proposals to the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour so that the confederation can work out what the next steps are. Vietnam really needs good universities," he emphasised.
At the meeting, the university also reported problems in importing medical equipment. The equipment has been impounded the port since November last year because the Ministry of Health has yet to licence its import.
Thang later spoke to Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien and Deputy Minister Nguyen Viet Tien about the case.
The deputy minister then contacted Dr. Le Vinh Danh to resolve the issue.
