Vietnam Accelerates University Restructuring and Education Digitalization, Government Plan Due in September

Vietnam's government has instructed the Ministry of Education and Training to finalize a plan for restructuring and consolidating universities and vocational education institutions by September, reporting to the Prime Minister. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance the efficiency and quality of the education system. The resolution from the government meeting on September 5 also tasks the Ministry of Education and Training with researching and completing a comprehensive plan to reform the examination, testing, and admission system, aiming for practicality, efficiency, and reduced societal costs. A nationwide assessment is required to propose solutions that thoroughly address the "shortage of schools, classes, and teachers." The construction of multi-level boarding schools in border areas must be completed on schedule, ensuring no delays, losses, waste, or corruption. Furthermore, the government mandates the finalization of regulations for managing, exploiting, and using digital transcripts in lieu of paper ones. This includes building a roadmap for digitalization, identification, data cleaning, digital signature, and integration with VNeID (Vietnam's national identity application) for authentication. The ministry is also to develop digital records for learners and link them with education, health, and population data to comprehensively monitor students' academic progress, health status, and support needs. Additionally, the government has directed the implementation of a full scholarship program for young scientists and outstanding students pursuing studies in strategic technology fields at world-leading universities. The first cohort of overseas students is expected to be dispatched in 2027. Currently, Vietnam has 228 public universities and university-level institutions. Of these, 28 are managed by provincial/municipal People's Committees, while the remainder are under the purview of ministries and central agencies. The Ministry of Education and Training directly oversees 41 higher education institutions, along with 16 colleges and vocational schools. In July, the Politburo directed the Government Party Committee to reorganize public universities by transferring multi-disciplinary and multi-field institutions to the Ministry of Education and Training or local authorities, and merging institutions in the same locality, excluding those in specialized fields. The goal is to reduce the number of public higher education institutions by at least 20% by April 1, 2027. For vocational and continuing education institutions, the objective is to reduce their number by at least 30% by October 1, through transferring public institutions under ministries and central agencies to local management, with exceptions for specialized sectors.