The Ministry of Education and Training has issued new doctoral admission requirements, including letters of recommendation, set to take effect by next February, a ministry official said.

All PhD candidates must now submit two letters of recommendation from two professors or PhD holders in relevant subjects, said Tran Thi Ha, head of the ministry’s Higher Education Department.

Currently, PhD applicants only need to take an examination and submit two scientific reports.

The ministry will now require that the new letters of recommendation include a detailed appraisal of the candidate’s individual professional ability and his or her ability to work in groups.

In addition, all doctoral applicants must have worked with the professors or doctors writing their recommendations for at least six months.

Ngo Tham from Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture said the new regulations would make it more difficult for candidates without large social networks to obtain admission. Tham said many students simply don’t have the opportunity to get to know very many academics.

The new regulations are not too strict and are in compliance with international norms, Ha said, adding that most Vietnamese students studying at international universities are required to submit letters of recommendation from prestigious academics.

The new regulations are supported by the majority of academics nationwide, said Ha.

She said the changes aim to encourage more distinguished doctoral studies in Vietnam.

Another changed item stipulates that university administration, not students, will decide on which foreign language the PhD candidates must study in line with their major and training program.

But all doctoral students will need to satisfy English requirements, such as either a bachelor’s degree in English, a TOEFL iBT 61 certificate or an IELTS 5.0 certificate.

Ha also added the students who do not complete their doctoral studies will be required to repay any money granted to them by scholarship, charity or aid organizations.

VietNamNet/TN/NLD