Students at International University, a member of the Việt Nam National University-Hồ Chí Minh City (VNUHCM). VNS Photo Gia Lộc

HCM CITY — Nguyễn Cảnh Hân, one of the thousands of students who have returned to Việt Nam because of the COVID-19 pandemic, plans to apply for admission to International University, one of the members of Việt Nam National University-Hồ Chí Minh City (VNUHCM).

“My parents advised me that I should apply at a university in Việt Nam so that I can continue learning. My parents are worried if I return to the US,” Hân said.

Hân, who completed one year of university study in the US, wants to transfer to a local university as a second-year student.

Dr Hà Việt Uyên Synh, head of the undergraduate training division at International University, said that

admission should be based on each university's enrollment criteria and students' capabilities. Students may be able to transfer earned credits from overseas universities, but they could also lose credits as well, depending on requirements.  

International University said it would enroll students with an international baccalaureate or those graduating from high schools in other countries.

“International University will enroll them in international training programmes taught in English or in joint training programmes that we have with foreign universities,” Synh said.

“The university will admit these students as transfer students from their university or as students of foreign universities with which we already co-operate,” he added. 

If students want to study in a different major from the one they chose abroad, they will have to pass the university’s interview round.

International University has joint training programmes in which students study at universities in the US, Australia and New Zealand after they complete two years of study at the university.

The university said it had received 15 applications from overseas students.

Other members of VNUHCM such as the University of Natural Sciences, University of Technology, University of Economics and Law, University of Information and Technology, and University of Social Sciences and Humanities will also admit students from overseas. 

Speaking at an online forum on overseas students held last month, Dr Nguyễn Thu Thủy, acting head of the Tertiary Education Department under the Ministry of Education and Training, said that 352 joint training programmes would help overseas students continue their study in Việt Nam.

Many reputable foreign universities have invested in Vietnamese higher education and their joint training programmes meet international standards, Thủy said.

Dr Nguyễn Tiến Thảo, deputy head of the training division at Việt Nam National University in Hà Nội, said that training programmes at the country’s universities were the same as foreign programmes.

Because of global integration, Vietnamese universities have quickly accessed new training programmes, Thảo said, adding that their joint training programmes meet international standards.

With more than 200 universities in the country, overseas students need to identify which university programmes are most suited to their needs.

International degrees are also offered at some universities in the country.

Việt Nam National University in Hà Nội said it would provide information about detailed procedures and its training programmes to overseas students.

Dr Nguyễn Phong Điền of Hà Nội University of Technology said the university has many options available for overseas students. VNS