Yet another abuse has been uncovered at Phan Thiet University, which has become famous when local newspapers dubbed it a “three no university” - no facilities, no curriculum and no lecturers. The university has enrolled triple the number of students allowed.

Phan Thiet University submitted its report on student enrollment on November 2, 2009 to the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET).

The university has permission from MOET to enroll 750 students for five (4-year training) fields of study in 2009, its first year of operation.  The departments include information technology, accounting, business administration, finance & banking and English, as well as three college (3-year training) fields of study, including accounting, business administration and English. The number includes 500 university and 250 college students.

In the university’s report, administrators revealed that 1,250 students are enrolled, 500 more than allowed.  The university has also enrolled students for two college-level fields of study for which they have no license – information technology and Vietnam studies.

In the report, the university begged for acceptance from the ministry.

MOET released a reply document on November 5, stressing that the ministry will not allow the university to exceed the established quota.

Curiously, the enrollment of too many students was not mentioned in the inspection tour report filed by MOET inspectors in mid-October. The inspection tour was conducted after Tuoi Tre newspaper reported sub-standard conditions at the university.

The report of the inspection team claimed that 694 students had been enrolled, fulfilling 92.93 percent of the planned number.

Director of Higher Education Department under MOET Tran Thi Ha said that this was the mistake of the university.

Ha said that, at the time of inspection, only 694 students had been enrolled. Since then more students were accepted and registered to study.

Ha reconfirmed that only three training branches will be allowed for college training at Phan Thiet University, and that only 750 students will be accepted.

Regarding measures to take care of the other students, Ha said that the students will be transferred to other universities that still have openings, such as HCM City Open University.

Meanwhile, Deputy President of the HCM City Open University, Le Thi Thanh Thu, remarked that her university has agreed in principle to receive the students after a brief meeting with MOET on November 5.

Ngoc Buu (Copy VietNamNet Bridge )