Suddenly stopping the Vietnamese-German Medical Program: Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine speaks out

In a press release issued on October 22, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine said that the medical doctor training cooperation program between the University and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (Germany) was implemented since 2013, aiming to provide Vietnamese students with the opportunity to study according to German medical standards.

Opening Ceremony of the Vietnamese - German Medical Program of Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine

After more than 10 years, the program has achieved many positive results, contributing to training a team of young doctors with professional qualifications and international integration thinking.

However, after a review and official exchange process between the two schools, the German partner announced the termination of cooperation from the 2024 school year. The reason stems from the German National Institute for Medical Examinations (IMPP) changing its policy, stopping providing the national M2 exam after 2027, leading to international medical programs no longer being eligible for recognition.

Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine affirmed that this is a systematic change from Germany, completely unrelated to the quality or reputation of the program. “The school has worked, discussed and proposed solutions many times to maintain cooperation, but this policy change is beyond the ability of both sides to adjust,” the announcement stated.

To ensure the learning rights of students, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine has proposed a conversion plan. Specifically: From the 2025 course, students of the Vietnamese-German Faculty of Medicine will be transferred to the school's regular Medical Doctor program, starting from October 20, 2025. The program lasts 6 years, approved by the Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Health. For students of the 2023 and 2024 courses, the school will still coordinate with partners to ensure that classes continue as planned, helping students complete the program on schedule.

Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine commits that the conversion will be carried out publicly and transparently, especially in terms of academics and finances, while at the same time protecting the legitimate rights of students to the maximum extent.

“This is regrettable but unavoidable. The school will continue to seek new international cooperation directions in medical training, in accordance with the current context and regulations,” said a statement from Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine.

As Tien Phong reported, many parents and students of Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine expressed confusion and anxiety after the school suddenly announced the suspension of the Vietnam-Germany medical joint training program that has been implemented for many years.

The program has tuition fees of up to more than 200 million VND per academic year. The study period lasts 6 years and 3 months, of which 5 years are spent in Vietnam and 1 year and 3 months of practice at hospitals in Germany. To date, hundreds of students have studied this program.

The incident has been reported to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee by Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine.