HCM CITY — Many universities in HCM City have unveiled new enrollment plans for the next academic year.

The University of Science under Việt Nam National University, HCM City, for example, will be using four methods, including setting aside 30 per cent of its enrollment quota for students who pass its general ability tests.

The university will officially stop enrollment for its college level in the next academic year.

The University of Economics and Law will begin to enroll for the first time foreign or Vietnamese students studying in an international high school training programme with instruction in English.  

Many universities will not require student candidates to take exams.

The member universities of Việt Nam National University HCM City will give priority to students at 82 high schools for the gifted and students at the top 100 schools with the highest scores on national exams in the last three years.  

The Industrial University of HCM City will also give priority to students at high schools for the gifted, while the University of Finance-Marketing will enroll 25 per cent of its quota directly under its own rules.

In 2020, the Ministry of Education and Training will allow all universities to set their own enrollment plans.  

Nguyễn Hữu Huy Nhựt, vice rector of University of Economics, told Sài Gòn Giải Phóng (Liberated Sài Gòn) newspaper that the university would create a contest of general ability that will cover knowledge in natural science, social science and English.

Students in the final year of high school and new graduates can participate in the test.

Việt Nam National University HCM City has spent about VNĐ10 billion (US$430,782) for the general ability tests since 2016, according to Dr Nguyễn Hội Nghĩa, its former vice president.

In 2003, the university’s staff and those at Việt Nam National University in Hà Nội went to the US to learn about the SAT, a standardized college admissions test often used in the US.

Việt Nam National University HCM City has completed a bank of tests set up by its lecturers and high school teachers.

The tests has been piloted at high schools Bùi Thị Xuân, Gia Định, Nguyễn Hữu Huân and others.

After piloting, the university will add or reject substandard questions.

The general ability tests will help the university stabilise its enrollment and select students properly.

Many other universities in the city want to use the tests completed by Việt Nam National University, HCM City .

Hứa Minh Tuấn, vice rector of University of Finance-Marketing, said the Ministry of Education and Training should set up a bank of test since many universities do not have the capacity to make their own tests.

HCM City University of Technology and Education said that it would use the SAT for enrollment.

Tuấn said the ministry should set up an independent examination centre where exam results can be examined for enrollment. — VNS