University founded by Vietnam's richest billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong registers for 'elite' status
VinUniversity, founded by Vingroup chairman Pham Nhat Vuong, the richest man in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, has joined two national universities to register for "elite" higher education institutions status as part of the country's education development strategy.
The Ministry of Education and Training in Vietnam has announced that several universities will be designated as elite institutions, pending evaluation. Deputy Minister Le Quan stated this during a conference on August 10, as part of a broader higher education development strategy. The goal is to establish between three and five elite universities in the country.
These institutions would be tasked with conducting groundbreaking research, leading the education system, fostering innovation, and delivering high-quality human resources and technology products. Experts in the field concur with these criteria, emphasizing the need for universities to possess a strong commitment to excellence, both in terms of academic standards and their broader societal impact.
Achieving these goals is not without challenges, as Prof. Trinh of the University of Engineering and Technology highlighted. He stressed the importance of a synergy between quality assurance and national responsibility, advocating for a new social contract among the government, businesses, and universities. This model would involve granting universities more autonomy and trust, while they commit to maintaining a culture of quality and accountability.
Prof. Yem of the Hanoi University of Science and Technology pointed out that two key factors for developing elite universities are government funding and their dedication to individual institutions. This approach would require substantial investments in research infrastructure, strong ties with industry, robust financial systems, autonomous management, and a supportive innovation ecosystem.
The Ministry of Education and Training is committed to maintaining quality as the primary focus in the upcoming period, recognizing that not all institutions can be treated equally. The selection process for elite universities does not automatically confer recognition, but rather involves assigning specific missions and linking institutional development to clear objectives, roadmaps, and measurable outcomes, all subject to an evaluation mechanism.
Written by urgent.news from VnExpress International's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
