HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Education and Training has been asked to quickly release the rankings of domestic universities.

Based on the list, candidates could carefully consider before registering to study at a university, and universities with financial autonomy could reach a consensus with the public on the matter of raising tuition fees, Professor Trần Thọ Đạt, principal of National Economics University (NEU), said at a recent meeting held to launch new tasks in the 2016-17 school year.

Đạt said his institution was one of 14 universities that were granted financial autonomy by the government last year.

In its initial steps towards financial autonomy, the school curriculum has been upgraded to meet international standards. It has also outlined a road map to raise tuition fees. However, the school has scholarship funds and policies to reduce tuition fees for underprivileged students to give them a chance to study at the school, he said.

Đạt asked the government to issue preferential policies soon to reduce interest rates for financially autonomous universities when they borrowed capital to buy educational equipment.

The government should assist these universities to access Official Development Assistance, he said.

Previously, in July, the National Economics University announced a plan to raise tuition fees in the 2016-17 school year, causing numerous worries for poor students who studied or wanted to study at the school.

It is estimated that from this school year, an NEU student will have to pay an additional VNĐ3 million (US$134) per year. The tuition fee will amount to about VNĐ12-17 million ($538-762) each year, depending on the major. — VNS