REGULATIONS

Distance Education at the Bachelor's Degree Level

(Issued together with Circular No. 10/2017/TT-BGDĐT dated April 28, 2017 of the Minister of Education and Training)1. This Regulation stipulates the organization and operation of distance education (DE) at the bachelor’s degree level including: admissions, organization and management of DE; rights and responsibilities of higher education institutions, rights and responsibilities of lecturers and students; inspection, supervision, resolution of complaints, denunciations, and handling of violations; implementation organization.

 

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

2. This Regulation applies to national universities, regional universities, academies, universities (including member universities of national universities and regional universities) within the national education system (hereinafter referred to collectively as higher education institutions), organizations and individuals related thereto.

In this Regulation, the following terms are understood as follows:

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

1. The distance education system of higher education institutions includes: distance education programs; distance education learning materials; organizational structure and management of distance education; evaluation and testing systems; technical support systems for implementing distance education; teaching staff, study support staff, management staff; regulations on distance education.

2. Distance education learning materials include: main learning materials and supplementary learning materials serving the educational process.

Main learning materials ensure the provision and transmission of full program content so that students can self-study in accordance with the distance education method.

Supplementary learning materials provide detailed content to help students understand deeply and fully the content in the main learning materials, which may be: audio-visual recordings, short films; radio and television programs; printed books, teaching and learning materials assisted by computers; online assignments, seminar papers, and remote discussion sessions; virtual internships, simulated internships, and actual internships.

3. Methods of distance education:

a) Correspondence: The distance education program is mainly implemented through correspondence using printed materials as the main learning materials. The main learning materials include: textbooks, reference books, study guides, research guides, exercise books, examination and testing guides;

b) Radio and Television: The distance education program is mainly implemented through radio and television systems where the main learning materials are radio and television programs broadcast live or rebroadcast on radio and television channels;

c) Computer Network: The distance education program is mainly implemented through computer networks, the Internet, and telecommunications networks where the main learning materials are electronic learning materials transmitted over the network, teaching conducted either online or offline;

d) Combined: combining the methods mentioned in points a, b, and c of this Clause.

4. Distance Education Station: located at higher education institutions, colleges, secondary vocational schools, lifelong education centers, schools of state agencies, political organizations, political-social organizations, people's armed forces schools that have sufficient conditions to meet requirements for pedagogical environment, physical facilities, equipment, libraries, laboratory and practical training equipment, management staff to implement distance education programs.

DISTANCE EDUCATION ACTIVITIES

 

Chapter II

DISTANCE EDUCATION ACTIVITIES

Article 3. Minimum requirements for implementing distance education programs

1. The distance education system of higher education institutions must be fully established and suitable for the chosen mode of distance education.

2. The implementation of distance education programs must be determined within the mission, vision, direction, and development plan of the higher education institution, and approved by the University Council, the School Council, or the Board of Management. Higher education institutions may implement undergraduate distance education programs for majors that have been authorized to offer regular undergraduate programs.

3. Distance education programs must be fully developed with a complete training plan for the entire course and detailed syllabi for each course component that meet the program requirements and are appropriate for the distance education mode. Within the same major, the content of the distance education program should be equivalent to the content of the regular education program.

4. The organizational structure and management of distance education activities must ensure oversight and monitoring of teaching, learning, testing, evaluation, and certification processes. There must be an examination unit with a comprehensive question bank and independent examination procedures.

5. The regulations on distance education of higher education institutions must comply with the provisions of this Regulation and other relevant laws.

6. The teaching staff, study support personnel, and managers must possess adequate knowledge, have been trained in skills and methods for teaching and managing distance education.

7. Ensure sufficient physical facilities, equipment, libraries, and learning materials for the implementation of distance education:

a) There must be a technical room with sufficient space to install distance education system equipment; there must be a workspace with sufficient space to serve the activities of managers and teachers.

b) There must be all necessary equipment to support the distance education mode.

c) The technical system supporting the implementation of distance education must ensure: provision of information related to distance education; storage and transmission of distance education program content to learners; supervision, management, and assessment of learners during the learning process; storage and security of information about learning, participation in learning activities, and personal records of learners; connection of information between learners, teachers, and managers through information technology systems.

d) The examination and evaluation system must ensure assessment of the learning process or end-of-course assessments in accordance with the distance education mode; control and verify learning, test-taking, examinations, and completion of assigned tasks in the learner's study program; accurately assess the learning outcomes of learners.

e) The electronic information website must be regularly updated, publicly announcing quality education commitments, publicizing quality assurance conditions, and publicizing tuition fees and other charges from learners.

f) There must be a library, including an electronic library, with a sufficient number of books, textbooks, reference materials, and specialized electronic databases to provide and support learners' study and research.

g) There must be a unit responsible for producing distance education learning materials. There must be sufficient primary and supplementary learning materials appropriate for the distance education mode for two-thirds of the courses in the distance education program in the initial years, and a plan to develop and expand learning materials for the remaining courses.

8. There must be an information technology application system to manage online all information related to admissions, training, examinations, graduation reviews, and certification for each learner.

9. Comply with the current regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training regarding the application of information technology in management and organization of network-based training when higher education institutions choose the computer network mode.

Article 4. Admissions

1. On the basis of the Regulations on admissions for regular undergraduate programs and current regulations on admissions for regular associate degree programs in teacher training fields, higher education institutions shall establish and promulgate the Regulations on admissions for Distance Training and Education Programs.

2. Admissions targets:

a) Vietnamese citizens: to be implemented according to the regulations on admissions for regular undergraduate programs and admissions for regular associate degree programs in teacher training fields currently in effect;

b) Foreign citizens: to be admitted based on the regulations of the higher education institution.

3. The Rector of the National University, Regional University, Academy, or President of the University (hereinafter referred to collectively as the Heads of Higher Education Institutions) shall decide on the admission methods: examination-based admissions; assessment-based admissions; or a combination of examination-based and assessment-based admissions according to the Regulations on admissions for regular undergraduate programs and admissions for regular associate degree programs in teacher training fields.

4. The Admissions Council for Distance Training and Education Programs shall be established by the Head of the higher education institution. The composition, tasks, and responsibilities of the Admissions Council for Distance Training and Education Programs shall be carried out according to the current regulations on admissions for regular undergraduate programs.

5. Announcements on admissions and related information about the Distance Training and Education Program must be publicly disclosed on the website of the higher education institution at least two months before the admissions date; the number of admissions, admission methods, admission targets, tuition fees, and other charges payable by students for each academic year and the entire program duration, as well as the time and method of admissions, must be publicly disclosed in the admissions announcement.

6. Conditions and procedures for accepting foreign exchange students shall be implemented according to the current regulations on managing foreigners studying in Vietnam.

7. Admission results must be publicly disclosed on the website of the higher education institution.

Article 5. Establishing Distance Training Stations

1. The Head of the higher education institution shall organize on-site inspections at the Distance Training Station and confirm the conditions ensuring quality, meeting the requirements to implement the Distance Training and Education Program.

2. The Head of the higher education institution shall decide on establishing a Distance Training Station for each training field based on the opinions of the Scientific and Training Council.

Article 6. Organization and Management of Distance Training

1. The organization of Distance Training shall be conducted under the credit system. The higher education institution shall specify the maximum time to complete the Distance Training and Education Program, but not exceeding twice the designed time of the regular training program.

2. The Professional Council, established by the Head of the higher education institution, shall review and recognize learning outcomes to convert or exempt certain courses that students have accumulated from other credential-granting programs according to specific regulations of the higher education institution.

3. The Head of the higher education institution shall organize the development, evaluation, and promulgation of the Distance Training and Education Program in accordance with the provisions of the Ministry of Education and Training; organize the evaluation of learning materials before their use.

4. Provide students with knowledge and skills for distance learning before officially joining the course.

5. Arrange lecturers, teaching management staff, guidance, and support for learning, experiments, and practical activities according to the requirements of the Distance Training and Education Program. Full-time lecturers must carry out at least 50% of the teaching workload of the Distance Training and Education Program.

6. The Head of the higher education institution shall specify the maximum allowable study load that can be registered in each semester.

7. The organization of Distance Training must ensure interaction between students and lecturers, and between students; ensure at least four main learning activities: attending classes, guidance sessions, seminars, and workshops; studying contents from primary and supplementary learning materials; performing learning activities and completing evaluation assignments; consulting and asking questions from lecturers.

8. Provide students with opportunities to participate in career counseling, guidance sessions, and vocational internship programs.

9. The Head of the higher education institution shall stipulate the ranking of academic years and academic performance, and simultaneous enrollment in two programs for students based on the regulations of the higher education institution regarding regular undergraduate education and consistent with the Distance Training and Education Program format.

10. The Head of the higher education institution shall stipulate temporary leave of absence, suspension of studies, withdrawal from studies, warning of academic performance, forced withdrawal from studies, transfer of majors, and transfer of schools based on regulations for regular training formats and consistent with the Distance Training and Education Program format.

Article 7. Evaluation of academic results and graduation ranking

1. The examination and evaluation procedures must be publicized in advance to ensure that students understand the requirements for completing each course and the training program.

2. The head of the higher education institution shall stipulate the process of evaluating the learning process, organizing mid-term exams or tests based on the regulations of regular education forms and in accordance with the distance training form.

3. The organization of final course exams must be conducted centrally at the higher education institution or at the Distance Training Station, supervised by staff from the higher education institution.

4. Final course exam questions must be taken from the common question bank used for regular programs.

5. The head of the higher education institution shall stipulate the organization of final course exams, the method of calculating grades and determining graduation rankings based on the regulations of regular education forms.

Article 8. Graduation review, recognition, issuance of diplomas and transcripts

1. Students shall be reviewed and recognized for graduation by the higher education institution when they meet the following conditions:

a) At the time of graduation review, they are not in a period of disciplinary action involving suspension of studies;

b) They have completed the distance training program, accumulated the required number of credits as prescribed; and met the exit standards of the higher education institution.

2. Based on the graduation conditions, the higher education institution shall organize the review and recognition of graduation and issue diplomas to students who have met the graduation conditions as prescribed. The form of distance training shall be recorded in the graduation diploma.

3. The printing, management, issuance, recovery, and cancellation of diplomas shall be carried out in accordance with current regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training.

4. The transcript issued to students must clearly state the names of courses recognized and exempted, and the corresponding credit hours of each exempted course.

Article 9. Reporting System

1. From December 15 to December 31 each year, higher education institutions shall report to the Ministry of Education and Training on the results of distance training including: admissions; scale of training; training organization; issuance of graduation diplomas in the year; and projected admission plans for the next year.

2. The report content must include an assessment of the activities of distance training at the higher education institution and proposals for solutions to strengthen and develop the distance training system of the higher education institution.

3. Provide management information on admissions, training processes, examinations, graduation reviews, and diploma issuance to the Ministry of Education and Training as required under Clause 8, Article 3 of this Regulation.

Article 10. Management and storage of records

1. Records are kept and stored at the higher education institution and include:

a) Records and evidence related to the requirements stipulated in Article 3 of this Regulation;

b) Records related to establishing the Distance Training Station;

c) Distance training program; full course training plan; detailed training plan for each course;

d) Admissions records, results of the learning process, graduation recognition records;

đ) Records related to final course exams;

e) Diploma issuance record book.

2. Records are kept and stored at the Distance Training Station and include:

a) Records related to establishing the Distance Training Station;

b) Distance training program; full course training plan; detailed training plan for each course;

c) List and learning results of students;

d) List of lecturers and managers related to the course.

3. The higher education institution shall specify in detail the procedures and retention periods for distance training records in accordance with the Law on Archives and current regulations.

Chapter III

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS; RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF LECTURERS AND STUDENTS IN DISTANCE TRAINING

Article 11. Powers and responsibilities of higher education institutions regarding training and teaching activities (hereinafter referred to as "training activities")

1. Establish specific regulations of the higher education institution on training activities in accordance with this Regulation.

2. Determine the requirements for training programs to ensure the quality of training.

3. Publicly announce on the higher education institution's electronic information website the relevant regulations concerning training activities, training programs, conditions ensuring the quality of implementing training programs, information on the quality assessment of the higher education institution, employment situations of graduates from each field of study and each academic year.

4. Organize training and enhance the skills necessary for the teaching staff, learning support staff, and management staff to be able to participate in implementing training programs.

5. Organize admissions, organize and manage training activities in accordance with this Regulation and the institution’s regulations on training activities.

6. Report information related to establishing Training Stations to the Ministry of Education and Training, People's Committee of provinces or centrally governed cities where the Training Station is located before the commencement of the academic year.

7. Implement self-assessment of training programs; register to participate in quality assessment of training programs in accordance with current regulations with educational quality assessment organizations.

8. Refund tuition fees for students if the higher education institution violates this Regulation or other legal provisions leading to students not being awarded degrees.

9. Maintain and develop the system of training activities of the higher education institution, update and modernize technical equipment to improve the efficiency and quality of training activities towards international integration in training activities.

Article 12. Rights and responsibilities of lecturers

1. Enjoy common benefits and allowances stipulated by the State for lecturers, as well as institutional regulations.

2. Be provided opportunities for internships and enhancement of professional expertise and vocational skills specific to training activities.

3. Be prioritized in using technical equipment and facilities serving training activities; be supported to create conditions for applying advanced teaching methods and technologies suitable to the conditions of the higher education institution and the mode of training activities.

4. Teach, examine, and evaluate student performance objectively and in accordance with publicly announced regulations prior to admission.

5. Participate in building training programs, course outlines, test banks, and learning materials for teaching; research, improve, and apply effective training, examination, testing, and evaluation methods in practical training activities.

6. Create a friendly learning environment and enhance interaction and information connectivity between lecturers and students during the training process.

7. Guide students in developing self-study plans, selecting courses or modules within the training program of their field of study, and appropriate learning and research methods based on their study conditions.

8. Answer students' queries during the training process, assist students in resolving difficulties arising from communication issues.

9. Lecturers assigned as teaching assistants perform tasks supporting lecturers in teaching, assisting lecturers in tutoring, guiding exercises, discussions, experiments, and practices; monitoring, supervising, and encouraging student participation in learning activities.

Article 13. Rights and responsibilities of students

1. To be provided with full information on admissions, deadlines for submitting applications, training programs, conditions for recognizing transferred learning outcomes, training plans, regulations on training, requirements for degrees, and policies on training of higher education institutions.

2. To participate in credit-based studies alongside regular full-time and part-time programs as stipulated by higher education institutions.

3. To be provided with full information on the evaluation and recognition of transferred learning outcomes and to request a review of the evaluation and recognition of learning outcomes by higher education institutions.

4. To submit complete application files within the timeframes announced by higher education institutions; to pay registration fees and tuition fees as prescribed by higher education institutions.

5. To develop specific study plans according to the degree requirements of higher education institutions regarding published training programs to be eligible for graduation certificates.

6. To comply with the Interim Regulations on Training of the Ministry of Education and Training and internal rules and regulations of higher education institutions.

7. To proactively contact lecturers or academic support staff during the study period to receive guidance and support.

Chapter IV

INSPECTION, AUDIT, COMPLAINTS, REPORTS, VIOLATIONS  CRIMES IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT

Article 14. Inspection and Audit

1. Higher education institutions have the responsibility to self-inspect and internally audit matters related to admissions, implementation of plans, programs, regulations on training, and other issues concerning training; to be subject to inspection, audit, and supervision by the Ministry of Education and Training and competent authorities as prescribed by current laws.

2. The Ministry of Education and Training will inspect and audit the implementation of regulations on admissions, training, and issuance of certificates by higher education institutions as prescribed by law.

3. Ministries, agencies at the ministerial level, provincial People's Committees, or centrally governed city People's Committees shall cooperate with the Ministry of Education and Training to perform inspection and audit tasks within their jurisdiction, as assigned and delegated by the Government.

Article 15. Complaints and reports

1. Organizations, individuals have the right to file complaints and reports about violations of the Interim Regulations on Training by higher education institutions, lecturers, administrative managers, and students.

2. Complaints and reports; handling complaints and reports shall be carried out in accordance with current laws on complaints and reports.

Article 16. Handling Violations

1. Handling of violations in admissions shall be conducted in accordance with the current Interim Regulations on Admissions for Regular Full-Time Programs issued by the Ministry of Education and Training.

2. Disciplinary actions against students who violate examination and assessment regulations shall be implemented in accordance with the current Interim Regulations on Regular Full-Time Program Training.

3. During the organization and implementation of training, if higher education institutions or individuals involved commit violations, they will be dealt with in accordance with current laws.

4. Higher education institutions will be suspended from admitting students into training programs under the form of training transfer in the following cases:

a) Failing to meet the minimum conditions required for the implementation of training programs as stipulated in Article 3 of this Interim Regulation.

b) Having been suspended from admitting students into training programs under regular education forms.

c) Other cases as prescribed by law.

Article 17. Transitional Provisions

1. For admission batches prior to the effective date of this Interim Regulation, admissions, organization, and management of training shall be carried out in accordance with the Interim Regulation on Organizing Training, Examinations, Assessments, Issuance of Certificates, and Graduation Diplomas under Distance Education Form issued pursuant to Decision No. 40/2003/QĐ-BGD&ĐT dated August 8, 2003, by the Minister of Education and Training.

2. For admission batches from the effective date of this Interim Regulation, admissions, organization, and management of training shall be carried out in accordance with this Interim Regulation./.