Vietnam to Have University Urban Complex by 2015

The Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) and concerned agencies are perfecting a draft project to build a university urban complex in the next nine years and will submitted it to the government for approval by April.

 

Surrounded by a residential area, the complex located near national highway will includes scientific research centers, libraries, dormitories, tenements for teachers, hospital, post office, supermarket, restaurants, hotels, bus stop, swimming pools, park, gymnastic complex, and even a theatre.

 

The total capital for the complex has not made available at the moment.

 

"The university complex is suitable with the development trend of the world," Tran Xuan Nhi, former deputy Minister of Education and Training in the 1981-1998 period and also one of initiators of the draft project said, revealing that the idea for a university complex took shape in my mind and my colleagues for long. Especially when the Vietnam Private Universities Association was set up in May 2004.

 

"We are very admired of university complex models in many developing countries such as China and Malaysia," Tran Hong Quan, Chairman of private schools' Association said, noting that the complex will help be a good environment for the quality as well as quantity development of local universities. It will also push up scientific research activities among schools.

 

However, to develop the project is not a simple thing. Many private schools, and even public schools are now facing with financial problems. Many universities have to hire places, negatively affecting education quality.

 

Location is a matter of concern as to build this complex, Vietnam need a total area of hundreds of hectares and a suitable position, which must be near the national highway and major cities.

 

Over a long time, universities in Vietnam have been scattered everywhere. Meanwhile, management skills of staff at these schools have showed ineffective.

 

Despite difficulties and challenges ahead, the MoET and relevant agencies are striving to take the draft project into effect.

 

"We have worked with the people's committees of northern Vinh Phuc and Bac Ninh provinces and central Hue city, and southern Long An, Binh Duong, and Dong Nai provinces and saw some positive signs. 

 

Initially, we will pay attention to a project in Bac Ninh. The association is calling for domestic and foreign investment in the project and mapping out specific plan for submission to the government.  

 

If the government approves, the construction will be kicked off.

 

"Presently, many private and State-owned universities as well in Hanoi have showed their interests in the project. If everything is smoothly, we will continue similar ones in other localities," Quan revealed.