VietNamNet Bridge - The decision to shorten training periods has been applauded by university leaders, who say it is in line with international practice.

Under the national framework newly approved by the Prime Minister, the time for university training will be cut to 3-5 years from 4-6 years. 

It will take 1-2 years to obtain a master’s degree and three to four years to get a doctorate. Compared with current regulations, the time will be cut by one year for university education, unchanged for master’s training and one year longer for PhDs.

Nguyen Phong Dien, head of the university training division of the Hanoi University of Technology, said that 3-year training for bachelor’s degree is a growing tendency in the world and should be applied in Vietnam. 

Tran Dinh Ly, head of the training division of the HCM City University of Agriculture and Forestry, said in fact, with the credit-based training program, many students can fulfill the curricula within 3-3.5 years instead of four years as planned.

Of the 15,000 students following credit-based training programs, 300 could finish within three years and 11 percent could graduate ahead of schedule (3-3.5 years).

“The majority of students finishing school ahead of schedule were excellent students. This shows that shortening the training time is necessary in the context of global integration,” Ly commented.

Bui Duc Trieu from the Hanoi Economics University said that, since switching to the credit-based mechanism, the curricula has been adjusted which fits 3-5 year training model of the newly launched national educational system.

The decision to shorten training periods has been applauded by university leaders, who say it is in line with international practice.

“With the credit-based program, students can shorten their study by one year at maximum,” he said.

According to Thieu, under current regulations, students must fulfill 120 credits at minimum. His school designs 130 credits for its training curriculum, but students still can finish study within 3-3.5 years.

Do Van Dung, rector of the HCM City University of Technique Education, said that shortening the training time will match the trend of the modern times and the working culture in the new era.

When asked how they would adjust the training curricula, Pham Thai Son from the Food Industry University said schools may cut the training time by building up integrated learning subjects and strengthening the practice time at enterprises.

Meanwhile, Ly said it would be better to refer to curricula applied by prestigious schools in other countries and cut unnecessary lessons.

Headmaster of the Hanoi College of Electrical Engineering Dong Van Ngoc said the school only needs two years to produce graduates who can have working skills equal to the regional level.

Chi Mai