A pilot university to train PhDs according to international standards, duration can be 2 years

Ho Chi Minh City National University is piloting doctoral training according to international standards. PhD students can defend their thesis within 2 years, exempted from independent review when being the main author of at least 3 conference reports and scientific articles.

How is the international standard doctoral training of Ho Chi Minh National University?

According to the pilot regulations for doctoral training issued by Ho Chi Minh City National University, there are two training methods: full-time in-depth research and combined scientific research, completing modules of the training program.

With full-time in-depth research, PhD students complete a review essay, a thesis, and a dissertation within 12 months of admission.

PhD students must be the main author of at least 3 conference reports or scientific articles published in journals listed in Web of Science or Scopus or equivalent, including at least 1 article of Q2 or higher.

PhD student at Ho Chi Minh City National University. Photo: VNU

PhD students combine scientific research and study program modules to complete the requirements prescribed by the Ministry of Education and Training, and meet additional requirements on scientific publication as prescribed by the school.

Ho Chi Minh City National University will recognize the equivalent scientific publications with publications in the list prescribed by the State Council of Professors, in accordance with the practices of each industry and the international context, ensuring equivalent quality and compliance with current regulations.

PhD students can defend their thesis ahead of schedule if they have excellent academic and scientific research achievements. The total time for PhD students to complete the training program is at least 2 years.

Member universities of Ho Chi Minh City National University issue detailed regulations on procedures, criteria and standards for doctoral students to defend their theses before the deadline and publicize the regulations and procedures on the school's website.

The new regulations also exempt the independent review process when the PhD student is the main author of at least 3 conference reports/articles published in journals listed in Web of Science or Scopus or equivalent, of which at least 1 article is Q2 or higher with content relevant to the research topic and content of the thesis.

Schools will specify in detail the order and procedures for considering exemption from the independent review process by evidence of international publications of PhD students and reports to Ho Chi Minh City National University. Schools are responsible for assessing the content conformity of scientific publications of PhD students with the research topic of the thesis based on the proposal of the council or professional unit.

Ho Chi Minh City National University will strengthen academic integrity and accountability. If necessary, schools have the right to request graduate students to explain to relevant parties about academic integrity. The explanation will be made public on the school's website.

Why pilot new standards?

Associate Professor Dr. Tran Cao Vinh - Vice President of Ho Chi Minh City National University, said that in the context of deep integration and global competition, doctoral training is one of the key pillars to help raise the position of research universities.

At many leading universities in Asia such as Tsinghua University (China), National University of Singapore, University of Tokyo (Japan), PhD students play a key role in scientific research activities.

Specifically, at Tsinghua University, PhD students account for 51% of the total number of postgraduate students and 38% of the total university size. This factor is the foundation that helps the university maintain and continuously improve its ranking on international university rankings.

Requirements on scientific publication for doctoral students of all majors of Ho Chi Minh National University

According to Associate Professor Vinh, in recent years, doctoral training at Ho Chi Minh City National University has seen many improvements, but there are still many limitations that need to be overcome. Specifically, the time to complete the program is actually 5 to 7 years, the training mechanism is not flexible enough to attract learners, and the training process is still heavily administrative.

In addition, most PhD students have to study and work at the same time, which affects the quality of research. There is still a shortage of leading professors in some fields, and the level of internationalization and connection with scientific research is limited.

"These shortcomings are barriers to improving the quality of doctoral training at Ho Chi Minh City National University," said Associate Professor Vinh.

The Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City National University said that the regulation on piloting doctoral training is a breakthrough solution to expand the scale and improve the quality of doctoral training, while building a more flexible legal corridor.

This regulation shifts from administrative management to constructive management, building a general regulatory framework. On that basis, schools develop detailed and specific regulations, while at the same time delegating authority to the professional council to ensure academic and flexibility.

"This is a pioneering step to realize the goal of training highly qualified human resources, gradually approaching international standards," according to Mr. Vinh.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/mot-dai-hoc-thi-diem-dao-tao-tien-si-theo-chuan-quoc-te-thoi-gian-co-the-2-nam-2418635.html