This is the last private university to convert to private status, 19 years after the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 122, agreeing to convert 19 private universities to private status.

The decision signed by Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long on April 28 clearly states: converting Phuong Dong Private University into Phuong Dong University. Accordingly, Phuong Dong University is a private university education institution, with legal status, its own seal and account, operating under the provisions of the Law on Higher Education and related legal provisions.

PHOTO: SCHOOL WEBSITE

The conversion process must be clear and transparent, without any negativity, loss, or waste of finances or assets; and must not affect the normal, continuous operation of the school. At the same time, it must ensure the legitimate rights and interests of students, lecturers, managers, employees, and individuals and organizations that have made real contributions to the formation and development of the school, in accordance with the provisions of law.

The Government assigned the Ministry of Education and Training to preside over and coordinate with the Hanoi People's Committee to guide, inspect and supervise the conversion, establishment of the school council, recognition of the principal, organization and operation of Phuong Dong University in accordance with legal regulations.

The current Board of Directors is responsible for organizing an investor conference to establish the school board and recognize the principal in accordance with current law, to be completed within 33 months from the effective date of this Decision.

The current Board of Directors and Principal shall continue to perform their functions, duties and powers in accordance with current regulations until the investor conference establishes the school board and recognizes the Principal.

It is known that on May 29, 2006, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 122, agreeing to convert 19 private universities into private universities, with the conversion deadline to be completed before June 30, 2007.

19 private universities at that time included: Thang Long, Dong Do, Phuong Dong, Hanoi Business and Technology, Hai Phong, Duy Tan, Binh Duong, Lac Hong, Cuu Long, Van Lang, Van Hien, Hung Vuong, Hong Bang (now Hong Bang International), Ho Chi Minh City Foreign Languages ​​and Information Technology, Saigon Technology, Ho Chi Minh City Technology (now Ho Chi Minh City Technology), Phu Xuan, Luong The Vinh, Yersin Da Lat.

However, due to many difficulties in the process of converting from collective ownership to private ownership, by 2023, that is, 17 years after the Prime Minister's Decision, only two private universities, Saigon Technology and Phuong Dong, have not yet made the conversion according to regulations.

After the meeting on October 20, 2023 on converting the type of public university to private university, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha concluded and directed the two schools to strictly comply with the law and promptly carry out the conversion in accordance with the correct procedures and regulations.

At the same time, the Ministry of Education and Training is required to issue a written instruction with a specific deadline and strict sanctions for Saigon University of Technology and Phuong Dong University.

In April 2024, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha signed Decision No. 284 on converting Saigon University of Technology into a private university. Thus, Phuong Dong University is the last private university to convert to a private university.