VietNamNet Bridge – Sensible use of land is a must after universities are relocated to outer districts, said the chairman of the NA's Committee for Culture, Education, Youth and Children, Dao Trong Thi, during an interview with Tien Phong (The Vanguard) newspaper.

How should a plan to relocate universities and colleges be implemented?

This is a large-scale programme and plays an important role in urban management. Thus, it is crucial to take proper steps to implement it.

If the programme is implemented hastily, it will negatively impact the training quality of universities and colleges. Besides this, the education sector requires significant investment and presumably the difference in land prices between the inner city and outlying districts will generate enough money for these institutions to invest in material facilities in new places.

Although the plan to relocate Ha Noi's National University to Hoa Lac area was implemented over a decade ago, the project has not been finished. How should the new relocation programme be implemented to avoid this situation?

This is a problem related to how State funds are allocated. It is important that we study how the State budget can support projects start to finish.

Also of equal importance is the need to ensure that universities are built in appropriate locations. For instance, it is impossible to build the National University in Hoa Lac if sufficient electricity, water, hospitals and schools are unavailable.

Has a specific plan for relocating universities and colleges been established?

There is no official plan yet, according to the Ministry of Education and Training. Most of the information recently released is unofficial and rumours only. Universities and colleges have not yet presented plans to relocate, so how can an official plan be made? Universities and colleges will create a timeline within which to do so.

Recent information about relocation programmes has created a land price fever and many people believe the rumours. Do you have any thoughts on this matter?

The master plan for Ha Noi's development is a very important legal foundation for the relocation plans of universities and colleges. It is not to relocate one or two universities to a vacant place in an outlying district, but to do a synchronised investment to build urbanised universities and the essential services of an urban area. I am not clear where they will be relocated to, but it is important to carry out relocation in accordance with the city's master development plan.

Public opinion has also been voiced concerns over how ‘golden' plots of land will be used after universities and colleges are removed . Will they be built into high-rises and trade centres?

In my opinion, this will be determined according to the city's master plan, which will be approved in the time to come. The thing is plans must conform to the approved plan. For instance, how many floors a high-rise can have and still ensure the city looks beautiful. If the Government decides not to allow more residents in the city, the land funds from the universities and colleges must be used sensibly.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News