Many lecturers at this school were also shocked when after more than 5 years of use, they found out that the book had never been published.

More than 5 years of using unpublished books

A leader of Da Nang University of Technical Education confirmed that the unit has just decided to revoke the previous decision in January 2019 regarding the use of the book "CNC Programming Techniques" as a reference material for teaching, research, and learning.

Along with that, the decision was made to recall all of these books that have been used by lecturers in the school since 2019. The book was edited by Ms. Nguyen Thi Hai Van, a lecturer at the school, along with 4 other authors, and published by the Construction Publishing House.

The school has also reported to the leaders of Danang University and transferred the case to the authorities to continue clarifying the case.

According to the reflection, when looking up the book title "CNC Programming Techniques" and the author's name on the Construction Publishing House's website, no results were found. The book that Ms. Van submitted to the school also did not have an anti-counterfeit stamp like the books published in the same period at this publishing house.

Along with that, the Department of Publishing, Printing and Distribution (Ministry of Information and Communications) issued an official dispatch confirming in 2018 that it had accepted the publication registration for the book "CNC Programming Techniques" edited by Ms. Van and 4 authors.

But on March 28, 2019, Construction Publishing House sent an official dispatch to the Department of Publishing, Printing and Distribution requesting to return the ISBN code (international standard code for books) of the above book for publications that the unit did not organize to publish in 2018. This means that this book has never been published.

However, in 2019, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hai Van used this book in her application for promotion to senior lecturer. One of the criteria for applying for the senior lecturer exam is to preside over or participate in compiling at least one training book used in teaching and training.

Ms. Van's exam results were recognized in this round and she was appointed to a professional title and a senior lecturer salary.

After that, Ms. Van used this book to submit her application for recognition as a grassroots emulation fighter. In the 2018-2019 school year, Ms. Van was recognized as a grassroots emulation fighter.

Ordered a book and then… forgot the quantity

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hai Van said that in 2018, she sent a manuscript of a document titled "CNC Programming Techniques" which she edited to the Construction Publishing House and was approved for publication. During the negotiation process, the publisher sent her several sample copies, which included the full publication decision number.

In the case handling report of Da Nang University of Technical Education, Ms. Van stated that she received some sample prints and sent these sample prints to several other authors for checking and comparison before agreeing to publish.

However, speaking to Tuoi Tre Online , Ms. Van said: "When I received those books, I did not know they were proof copies. They did not specify that they were sample copies, so I thought they were published books. I also did not receive any decision about publishing or revoking the ISBN code."

The reporter asked why on the cover of the book there is information "Print 300 copies, size 19x27 cm" but why did you only receive a few copies and until now you still have not responded about the missing number of books?

Ms. Van replied: "I forgot how many copies I ordered. Partly because the printed book had some points that I was not satisfied with, so when the publisher went silent, I did not ask again."