The Law on Higher Education was adopted in 2012. It created positive changes in the national educational system and in higher education in particular.

But Trieu The Hung, a deputy of Lam Dong province, said a more appropriate legal environment is needed to keep pace with the world’s developments.

Hung said: “First it’s necessary to increase the autonomy of tertiary education institutions. This is a key issue that needs to be included in law revision. The draft has focused on autonomy in human resources and finance. But I want to suggest autonomy in learning. Higher education is an intellectually demanding job, requiring liberal thinking and creativity from both lecturers and students. Thus autonomy in learning and freedom of learning are the keys to success and the secret of developed countries.”

Minister of Education and Training, Phung Xuan Nha, said the bill will address the sector’s urgent requirements in regard to fundamental and comprehensive higher education reform, improving state management and consolidating the legal foundation to develop education.

Nha said: “The revision focuses on designing concepts which are in line with international standards in curricula, lecturers, and establishments. The move will create unanimity of the national higher education system, ensure training quality and promote the recognition of qualifications and credits between Vietnam and other countries around the world. The government will be entitled to make detailed regulations and instructions on training methods, enrollment quotas, timing, and training organization and management of certification for healthcare, public security, defense, sports, and arts.”

NA deputies said the bill on Higher Education should be reformed to meet the needs of the labor market in the fourth industrial revolution.