It provided a false list of lecturers with counterfeit signatures, yet still Phan Thiet University has still been granted a licence.

The falsified documents

Further anomalies include an economics doctor registered to teach Vietnamese culture. Elsewhere listed doctors had vague titles like ‘PhD of social sciences’ and ‘PhD of English language’.

Even more surprising the deputy head of the Training Division at HCM City University of Social Sciences and Humanity was among the names included despite saying he he has never met any one from Phan Thiet university and never agreed to teach there.

However, on reading Phan Thiet University’s feasibility report he discovered two papers stating he is committed to working for them as a lecturer. The two include quite different signatures and neither were his.

The accompanying information was also wrong. He was born in 1954, not in 1963 as was stated. His professional speciality is world history, not politics.

Phan Tiet documents say he will teach Ho Chi Minh’s ideology

Reporters from Vietnamese newspaper Tuoi Tre visited No 268 Nguyen Thong Street in Phan Thiet City, which was registered as Phan Thiet University headquarters.

They found out that this is, in fact, Mui Ne “ancient village” – a mock historic trousit site owned by Bui Van Giao who is listed as head of the management board of Phan Thiet University project.

The site is more used to welcoming tourists than students. That explains why, in the list of university facilities, there is a lot of catering equipment. This includes 800 bowls, 1,000 plastic dishes and six ovens.

Meanwhile, reporters were showed only several rooms for teaching while the room in the “ancient house” to be used for the library – didn’t yet look like one.

Despite the poor conditions, Phan Thiet University was still somehow granted a licence and is soon set to welcome 750 newly enrolled students.

When Tuoi Tre reporters questioned the feasibility study report, Giao said he has been in charge of “material facilities” and was not responsible for curriculums and lecturers.

Giao, instead said a group of unnamed lecturers from the HCM City Economics University has helped put together curriculums and lecturers.

Having been alerted to the problems by Tuoi Tre reporters the authorities are now set to investigate.

Tran Thi Ha, director of the University Education Department under the Ministry of Education and Training stated: “The Phan Thiet University had to follow all necessary procedures to get the license. In particular, it had to prove its financial capability and material facilities conditions. The documents for Phan Thiet University establishment were verified.

“However, we will follow up the information provided by Tuoi tre newspaper and will give official answers.”

Meanwhile Nguyen Van Chien, chief inspector of the Ministry of Education and Training said this was not the first time they had been made aware of issues surrounding the Unviersity, saying : “We have already received correspondence on the problems of Phan Thiet University. Inspectors have reported this to the ministry and we are preparing to inspect the university.”

VietNamNet/TT