VietNamNet Bridge - Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan has instructed Ho Chi Minh City authorities to start moving some universities to the suburbs this month.

In 2006 the City approved a plan to relocate universities with small campuses to suburban areas since they have been struggling with lack of space.

Sixty nine universities and junior colleges where 516,000 students study are located in the City’s crowded center, with 40 of them being just two hectares in size and some even less than 1 ha.

A quality university must have a ratio of at least 1 ha for every 1,000 students, Education and Training Minister Bui Van Ga said, insisting universities with a 5,000-7,000 square meter campus can no longer be allowed.

Despite agreeing with the relocation policy, many universities and junior colleges have been asking for help from the government since they are unable to cope with the paperwork, site clearance, financing, and planning.

Ho Chi Minh City plans to move its universities to three different zones: northwestern Hoc Mon and Cu Chi Districts, Saigon South, and the northeastern part of the city.

In the northwest, 660 ha have been allotted to the Ho Chi Minh City University of Pedagogy (53 ha), the Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy (115 ha), the Ho Chi Minh City Open University (20 ha), the Saigon College of Arts, Culture, and Tourism (5 ha), and the Vietnam International University Township (304.7 ha).

In Saigon South, 735 ha have been earmarked for the Universities of Social Sciences, Sports, Finance, and Accounting, Saigon University, Ton Duc Thang University, and some others.

In the northeast, 815 hectares have been reserved in Districts 9 and Thu Duc and Binh Duong Province’s Di An District which will accommodate the Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh City, the Ho Chi Minh City University of Law, the Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics, the Ho Chi Minh City University of Marketing, and others.

Source: Tuoi Tre