Circular No. 16/2009/TT-BGDĐT detailing the examination for recognition, revocation of recognition of meeting the criteria, appointment, and removal from the position of professor and associate professor

CIRCULAR

Regulations on the examination for recognition, revocation of recognition

 of meeting criteria, appointment, and removal from the position of professor, associate professor

 _________________________

Pursuant to Decree No. 178/2007/NĐ-CP dated December 3, 2007 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of ministries and ministerial-level agencies;

Pursuant to Decree No. 32/2008/NĐ-CP dated March 19, 2008 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Education and Training;

Pursuant to Decision No. 174/2008/QĐ-TTg dated December 31, 2008 of the Prime Minister stipulating the criteria, procedures for appointment and removal from the position of professor, associate professor;

At the proposal of the Director of the National Teacher and Educational Management Staff Department, the Minister of Education and Training promulgates detailed regulations on the examination for recognition of meeting criteria, revocation of recognition of meeting criteria, appointment, and removal from the position of professor (GS) and associate professor (PGS), specifically as follows:

PART I

REGULATIONS ON SCIENTIFIC WORKS FOR EXCHANGE AND USE

FLUENCY IN FOREIGN LANGUAGES, YEARS OF TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Article 1. Types of scientific works for exchange

1. Types of scientific works for exchange include: published scientific articles; scientific reports at national and international scientific conferences; textbooks for training that have been published; research topics and projects that have been completed; successful guidance of doctoral dissertation defenses.

2. The quality of each type of scientific work for exchange mentioned in Clause 1 of this Article shall be calculated in points for exchange.

3. Scientific works that have been published with overlapping content shall only be counted once for points for exchange. Articles published in popular science journals, summaries of research results, final reports, reviews, translations shall not be considered scientific works for exchange.

Article 2. Published scientific articles

1. Published scientific articles include: scientific articles published in scientific journals, scientific reports at national and international conferences, scientific and technological application results.

Published scientific articles must clearly express the scientific idea, the timeliness of the research issue, the situation of domestic and international research (if applicable), necessary contents, main contributions to theory and application; research methods, research tools, cited sources, and references.

2. Points for exchange for each published scientific article mainly depend on the scientific quality of the article itself, taking into account the scientific reputation of the journal publishing the scientific article. Each published scientific article is worth from 0 to 1 point; only exceptionally outstanding articles published in top scientific journals domestically and internationally may be worth up to 2 points.

The Sectoral and Inter-Sectoral Professor Title Council (HĐCDGS) proposes a list of specialized scientific journals eligible for points, which is submitted to the State Professor Title Council for decision.

3. Scientific reports at national and international conferences selected for full publication in conference proceedings, with scientific peer review, are worth from 0 to 1 point. If the conference proceedings are published in Vietnam, they must have a publication permit.

4. Scientific application results awarded patents, inventions, national and international prizes in architecture, if not already counted in other scientific works for exchange, are worth from 0 to 1 point; in exceptional cases, they may be worth up to 1.5 points. If there are multiple authors, the points are equally divided among them.

5. For arts and sports disciplines, the points for published scientific articles as scientific works for exchange are determined by the Sectoral and Inter-Sectoral Professor Title Council and confirmed by the State Professor Title Council in accordance with each discipline.

Article 3. Published training textbooks

1. Published training textbooks that meet scientific standards, pedagogical quality, are currently used for teaching and education at the bachelor's level or higher, have content relevant to the candidate’s specialty, were published and submitted for retention before the deadline for submitting registration applications to recognize the criteria for professor and associate professor positions, include:

a) Monographs resulting from in-depth and relatively comprehensive research on a specific issue in the candidate’s specialized field, used by higher education institutions (HEIs) for training at the bachelor's level or higher, are counted from 0 to 3 points.

b) Textbooks suitable for HEI programs, approved by the head of the HEI or approved by the Minister of Education and Training, are counted from 0 to 2 points.

c) Reference books used by HEIs as reference materials for lecturers and students, with content relevant to HEI programs, are counted from 0 to 1.5 points.

d) Guidebooks used by HEIs as materials for guiding students to learn while working, distance learning, self-study with guidance; course practice guides, practice materials according to textbooks, hospital internships, production facility internships are counted from 0 to 1 point as converted scientific works. Specialized dictionaries are counted like guidebooks.

2. For published training textbooks compiled by a team, the main editor (if any) is counted 1/5 of the total points assigned to the book, the remaining 4/5 points are distributed based on each contributor's contribution, including the main editor if they directly participated in writing the book.

Article 4. Scientific research programs and topics that have been accepted

1. The head of a national-level scientific research program is counted from 0 to 1.5 points as a converted scientific work; the deputy head and secretary of the program each are counted from 0 to 0.5 points as converted scientific works.

2. The head of a national-level scientific research topic is counted from 0 to 1.25 points as a converted scientific work.

3. The head of a ministry-level or provincial-level scientific research topic, and a branch topic of a national-level program is counted from 0 to 0.5 points as a converted scientific work.

4. The head of a scientific research topic at the institutional level is counted from 0 to 0.25 points as a converted scientific work.

5. Basic science research topics (fundamental research topics) are recognized as ministry-level topics to meet the necessary conditions stipulated in Clause 4, Article 9 and Clause 5, Article 10 of Decision No. 174/2008/QĐ-TTg and are not counted as converted scientific works.

Article 5. Guidance for successful defense of doctoral dissertations and master's theses

1. Guidance for the successful defense of doctoral dissertations and master's theses is considered completed when the doctoral student has received a doctoral degree certificate or has a decision to award a doctoral degree certificate, and the master's student has received a master's degree certificate or has a decision to award a master's degree certificate.

2. Only candidates who successfully guided doctoral students in defending their dissertations are counted. Successfully guiding one doctoral student in defending a dissertation is counted as 1 point. If it is a team effort, the main supervisor is counted as 2/3 of a point, and the co-supervisor is counted as 1/3 of a point. If there are two or more co-supervisors, the 1/3 point is equally divided among them.

3. Main or co-supervision of master's students in writing master's theses:

a) Before June 8, 2000, candidates who had decisions to supervise master's theses together with one or more others, but without specifying whether they were main or co-supervisors, may be considered as main supervisors if confirmed as joint main supervisors by the head of the HEI.

b) From June 8, 2000 to August 5, 2008, according to the Postgraduate Training Regulations issued under Decision No. 18/2000/QĐ-BGD&ĐT, each master's thesis only has one supervisor. Candidates supervising master's students in writing master's theses together with one or more others are not counted as having successfully supervised a master's student in defending a master's thesis.

c) From August 5, 2008 onwards, according to the Master's Degree Training Regulations issued under Decision No. 45/2008/QĐ-BGDĐT (Clause 1, Article 39), master's students writing master's theses can have up to two supervisors, so the decision must clearly state that the candidate is the main supervisor.

4. Candidates in the Medicine and Pharmacy fields who have successfully supervised a specialist doctor or a specialist pharmacist are considered equivalent to successfully supervising a master's thesis and must provide sufficient evidence as specified in Clause 3 of this Article.

Article 6. Points for scientific works to be considered for recognition of Professor title standards

1. Candidates who are lecturers within the establishment of higher education institutions must have at least 12 points for converted scientific works, including:

a) At least 3 points must be completed in the last three years up to the deadline for submitting application files;

b) At least 6 points must come from published scientific articles, of which at least 1.5 points must be completed in the last three years up to the deadline for submitting application files;

c) At least 3 points must come from compiling training textbooks that have been published, of which at least 1.5 points must come from compiling teaching materials and monographs.

2. Candidates who are guest lecturers of higher education institutions must have at least 20 points for converted scientific works, including:

a) At least 5 points must be completed in the last three years up to the deadline for submitting application files;

b) At least 10 points must come from scientific articles, of which at least 2.5 points must be completed in the last three years up to the deadline for submitting application files;

c) At least 3 points must come from compiling training textbooks that have been published, of which at least 1.5 points must come from compiling teaching materials and monographs.

3. Candidates in Education, Psychology, Economics, Law, Linguistics, Military, Security, History, Archaeology, Ethnology, Philosophy, Sociology, Political Science, Literature, and Culture fields must have at least one monograph written individually and one textbook where they are both the chief editor and a co-author.

Article 7. Points for scientific works to be considered for recognition of Associate Professor title standards

1. Candidates who are lecturers within the establishment of higher education institutions must have at least 6 points for converted scientific works, including:

a) At least 1.5 points must be completed in the last three years up to the deadline for submitting application files;

b) At least 3 points must come from scientific articles, of which at least 0.75 points must be completed in the last three years up to the deadline for submitting application files.

2. Candidates who are guest lecturers of higher education institutions must have at least 10 points for converted scientific works, including:

a) At least 2.5 points must be completed in the last three years up to the deadline for submitting application files;

b) At least 5 points must come from scientific articles, of which at least 1.25 points must be completed in the last three years up to the deadline for submitting application files.

Article 8. Report on research results in science, technology, and training

The report on research results in science, technology, and training written by the candidate shall not exceed 10 pages of A4 paper in the form of an overview scientific work, presenting main ideas and primary research directions, significant contributions and outstanding results in research in science, technology, and training. The candidate selects and lists a maximum of five of their most outstanding scientific works.

Article 9. Proficiency in foreign languages

1. Candidates recognized as meeting the standards for the Professor title must be proficient in one of the five foreign languages: English, German, Russian, French, Chinese. Candidates recognized as meeting the standards for the Associate Professor title must be proficient in any one foreign language. From January 1, 2011 onwards, candidates recognized as meeting the standards for the Professor and Associate Professor titles must be proficient in a foreign language for professional work and able to communicate in English.

2. Candidates recognized as being proficient in a foreign language must be able to read and understand specialized materials written in that language, write specialized articles in that language, and discuss (listen, speak) about specialized topics in that language according to Clause 1, Article 2 of Decision No. 174/2008/QĐ-TTg.

3. The following cases are recognized as being proficient in a foreign language:

a) Having graduated and received a bachelor's or master's degree abroad, having written and defended a doctoral dissertation in a foreign language, with a validity period not exceeding five years from the date of receiving the degree to the application deadline;

b) Having graduated from a foreign language university and received a bachelor's degree in foreign language, regularly using that language in the specialized field applied for recognition of the Professor and Associate Professor title standards;

c) Candidates currently teaching in a foreign language.

4. The Professor Recognition Committee of the institution and the Professor Recognition Committee of the field and inter-field organize the assessment of proficiency in foreign languages for all candidates applying for recognition of the Professor and Associate Professor title standards, excluding those specified in Clause 3 of this Circular.

5. In necessary cases, the Professor Recognition Committee of the field and inter-field and the National Professor Recognition Committee may re-assess the proficiency in foreign languages of candidates recognized as being proficient in a foreign language as stipulated in Clause 3 of this article.

The Professor Recognition Committee of the institution, the Professor Recognition Committee of the field and inter-field may invite foreign language experts to assist in determining the conditions for proficiency in foreign languages of candidates applying for recognition of the Professor and Associate Professor title standards.

Article 10. Teaching Experience

1. Teaching experience is the time spent on educational and teaching duties at higher education institutions from university level upwards, calculated in years and months. Each year of teaching experience consists of twelve months.

2. For applicants who are faculty members within the establishment of higher education institutions, they must complete their tasks according to the working regime for faculty members stipulated in Decision No. 64/2008/QĐ-BGDĐT dated November 28, 2008, of the Minister of Education and Training.

3. For applicants who are visiting lecturers:

a) The time counted towards teaching experience includes: direct teaching hours in class and time guiding doctoral students in their doctoral dissertations, master's students in their master's theses, and undergraduate students in their final projects or graduation theses.

b) Direct teaching hours in class that qualify for one year of teaching experience are converted into standard hours. If during this period, an applicant applying for recognition of the criteria for the title of Professor fulfills 120 standard hours, or an applicant applying for recognition of the criteria for the title of Associate Professor fulfills 90 standard hours, then one year of teaching experience is counted. From January 1, 2011 onwards, an applicant applying for recognition of the criteria for the title of Professor must fulfill 190 standard hours, and an applicant applying for recognition of the criteria for the title of Associate Professor must fulfill 170 standard hours.

4. When confirming teaching experience for faculty members, the head of the higher education institution must clearly confirm the tasks assigned to both faculty members within the establishment and visiting lecturers, specifying the course name, teaching content and requirements, standard teaching hours, tasks guiding doctoral dissertations, master's theses, or final undergraduate projects, and comments on the training results linked to teaching experience and the completion of tasks by the faculty member.

5. Time spent by applicants as educational experts at foreign higher education institutions will be counted towards teaching experience if there is a diplomatic note or a teaching invitation contract from a foreign university detailing the work content, teaching time at the school, and a decision from the Ministry of Education and Training dispatching them to work as educational experts abroad.

Chapter II

APPLICATION FOR RECOGNITION OF STANDARDS FOR THE TITLES OF PROFESSOR AND ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, REVIEW AND MANAGEMENT OF APPLICATIONS

 PROFESSOR, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, REVIEW AND MANAGEMENT OF APPLICATIONS

Article 11. Application for Recognition of Standards for the Titles of Professor and Associate Professor

1. Application form for recognition of standards for the titles of Professor or Associate Professor.

2. Bachelor’s degree certificate, Master’s degree certificate, Doctoral degree certificate of the applicant.

3. Foreign language proficiency certificate or documentation proving the applicant's fluency in a foreign language as stipulated in Clause 3, Article 9 of this Circular.

4. Decision on conferring, recognizing, or appointing the title of Associate Professor, if the applicant applies for recognition of the standards for the title of Professor.

5. Decisions assigning tasks to guide doctoral students in their doctoral dissertations, master's students in their master's theses, medical specialists in their second-level specialties, and undergraduate students in their final projects or graduation theses.

6. Doctoral degree certificates, Master’s degree certificates, second-level specialty certificates, and bachelor’s degree certificates of the students whom the applicant has been assigned to guide.

7. Visiting lecturer contracts, evaluations by the head of the higher education institution regarding training outcomes or termination agreements for visiting lecturers; retirement decisions for retired visiting lecturers.

8. Scientific research programs and topics that have been accepted, including: decisions or contracts assigning the implementation of scientific research programs or topics; acceptance minutes for research topics; summary reports of research topic implementation by the topic leader when accepting; copies of invention patents and accompanying documents.

9. Invention patents and accompanying documents.

10. Diplomatic notes or teaching invitation contracts from foreign higher education institutions clearly stating the time spent as an expert and decisions from the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam dispatching them to work as educational experts abroad.

11. Comprehensive report on the results of scientific research, technology, and training.

12. Published scientific articles and books used for training. Certificates of book usage purpose from the head of the higher education institution and minutes of book review by the authorized Book Review Committee.

The Chairman of the National Council for Professor Titles shall specify in detail the application form for recognition of standards for the titles of Professor and Associate Professor.

Article 12. Preparation of the dossier

1. Each dossier for recognition of the criteria for the title of Professor (GS) or Associate Professor (PGS) shall be compiled into two volumes. Volume I includes the documents specified from Clause 1 to Clause 11 of Article 11 of this Circular. Volume II includes copies of scientific articles that have been published and textbooks for training that have been published as stipulated in Clause 12 of Article 11 of this Circular.

2. The applicant shall self-assess the quality of scientific articles that have been published and textbooks for training that have been published, rank them in descending order of quality, and categorize them according to each type of work, not by chronological order.

3. The dossier for application for recognition of the criteria for the title of Professor (GS) or Associate Professor (PGS) shall be made into three identical sets, printed on A4 paper, bound with covers, having a table of contents and page numbering. On the cover of each set of dossiers and the application form for recognition of the criteria for the title of Professor (GS) or Associate Professor (PGS), the field, specialty, name of the Qualification Assessment Board for Professor (GS) or Associate Professor (PGS) must be clearly stated.

4. The applicant shall bear responsibility for the accuracy of the dossier for application for recognition of the criteria for the title of Professor (GS) or Associate Professor (PGS) and the copied documents. When necessary, the State Qualification Assessment Board for Professor (GS), the Qualification Assessment Board for Professor (GS) by field, inter-field, or institutional Qualification Assessment Board may request the applicant to submit original documents or original materials in the dossier for recognition of the criteria for the title of Professor (GS) or Associate Professor (PGS) for verification.

Article 13. Submission of the Dossier for Recognition of the Criteria for the Title of Professor (GS) or Associate Professor (PGS)

1. Each applicant shall submit one application form for recognition of the criteria for the title of Professor (GS) or Associate Professor (PGS) along with two 4x6 photos; separately, applicants belonging to higher education institutions that do not organize institutional Qualification Assessment Boards for Professor (GS) and visiting lecturers shall also submit a pre-stamped envelope with the applicant's address fully filled in the recipient section and a request to be recognized at which institutional Qualification Assessment Board for Professor (GS). These documents shall be submitted to the Office of the State Qualification Assessment Board for Professor (GS) before the deadline for submission of the dossier by fourteen days.

2. Applicants who are lecturers within the establishment of higher education institutions shall submit three sets of dossiers for recognition of the criteria for the title of Professor (GS) or Associate Professor (PGS) to their institutional Qualification Assessment Board for Professor (GS) in accordance with the prescribed deadlines.

3. Applicants who are lecturers within the establishment of higher education institutions that do not organize institutional Qualification Assessment Boards for Professor (GS) and visiting lecturers shall submit three sets of dossiers for application for recognition of the criteria for the title of Professor (GS) or Associate Professor (PGS) to the institutional Qualification Assessment Board for Professor (GS) introduced by the Standing Committee of the State Qualification Assessment Board for Professor (GS) in accordance with the prescribed deadlines.

Article 14. Appraisers of the Dossier for Recognition of the Criteria for the Title of Professor (GS) or Associate Professor (PGS)

1. Individuals selected to participate in the appraisal of the dossier for recognition of the criteria for the title of Professor (GS) or Associate Professor (PGS) must be Professors (GS) or Associate Professors (PGS) in the same field of expertise as the applicant and meet the criteria stipulated by the State Qualification Assessment Board for Professor (GS).

The applicant may propose appraisers whose field of science matches their own specialty for the Qualification Assessment Board to consider and appoint.

2. The Qualification Assessment Board may invite Vietnamese Professors (GS) or Associate Professors (PGS) residing abroad or foreign Professors (GS) or Associate Professors (PGS) knowledgeable in the applicant's field of expertise, with high scientific reputation and good character, to appraise the entire dossier or specific parts where such Professors (GS) or Associate Professors (PGS) can participate.

3. The selection of Professors (GS) or Associate Professors (PGS) to participate in the appraisal of the dossier for application for recognition of the criteria for the title of Professor (GS) or Associate Professor (PGS) must be kept confidential. Appraisers assigned to appraise the dossier must be responsible for the results of the dossier appraisal and the tasks assigned, and maintain confidentiality regarding the content of the tasks being performed throughout the process of recognizing the criteria for the title of Professor (GS) or Associate Professor (PGS).

Article 15. Management of files for recognition of meeting standards and revocation of recognition of meeting standards for the title of Professor and Associate Professor

1. The Chairman of the Local Council for Title Recognition is responsible for managing the files, organizing checks on the completeness and accuracy of all documents, papers, and data in the application file for recognition of meeting standards for the title of Professor and Associate Professor submitted to the Local Council for Title Recognition.

2. The files of candidates for recognition of meeting standards and revocation of recognition of meeting standards for the title of Professor and Associate Professor, along with related documents, must be kept and preserved safely and conveniently for review, examination, and evaluation throughout the process of recognition of meeting standards and revocation of recognition of meeting standards for the title of Professor and Associate Professor by the State Council for Title Recognition, Sectoral Councils, Inter-sectoral Councils, and Local Councils.

3. The Secretary-General of the State Council for Title Recognition organizes the management and preservation of files for recognition of meeting standards and revocation of recognition of meeting standards for the title of Professor and Associate Professor at the Office of the State Council for Title Recognition.

Chapter III

REPORT ON THE RESULTS OF RECOGNITION OF MEETING STANDARDS FOR THE TITLES OF PROFESSOR AND ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR; RECOGNITION AND REVOCATION

 RECOGNITION OF MEETING STANDARDS FOR THE TITLES OF PROFESSOR AND ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

Article 16. Report on the results of recognition of meeting standards for the title of Professor and Associate Professor at the Local Council for Title Recognition

1. The head of the higher education institution where the Local Council for Title Recognition is located confirms the results of recognition of meeting and not meeting standards for the title of Professor and Associate Professor of candidates at the Local Council for Title Recognition, publicly announces the results at the higher education institution at least seven days before sending the report on the results and the application file for recognition of meeting standards for the title of Professor and Associate Professor to the State Council for Title Recognition, and simultaneously reports to the head of the competent authority managing the candidates.

The report on the results of recognition of meeting and not meeting standards for the title of Professor and Associate Professor and the files of candidates introduced for examination by the State Council for Title Recognition at the Local Council for Title Recognition are sent directly to the Office of the State Council for Title Recognition.

2. The file for reporting the results of recognition of meeting and not meeting standards for the title of Professor and Associate Professor of the Local Council for Title Recognition includes:

a) A letter from the higher education institution reporting the results of recognition of meeting standards for the title of Professor and Associate Professor at the Local Council for Title Recognition;

b) A list of candidates who have met the standards for the title of Professor and Associate Professor at the Local Council for Title Recognition;

c) Evaluation forms of Professors and Associate Professors for each candidate;

d) A summary of the standards of each candidate;

đ) Three sets of files of candidates who have met the standards for the title of Professor and Associate Professor at the Local Council for Title Recognition;

e) Minutes of ballot counting and voting forms of the Local Council for Title Recognition;

g) Detailed minutes of meetings of the Local Council for Title Recognition.

Article 17. Report on the results of recognition of meeting standards for the title of Professor and Associate Professor at the Sectoral Council, Inter-sectoral Council

1. The Chairman of the Sectoral Council, Inter-sectoral Council is responsible for publicly announcing the results of recognition of meeting and not meeting standards for the title of Professor and Associate Professor at the Sectoral Council, Inter-sectoral Council at least seven days before reporting the results to the State Council for Title Recognition.

2. The file for reporting the results of recognition of meeting standards and non-recognition of standards for the title of Professor and Associate Professor to the State Council for Title Recognition includes:

a) A letter from the Sectoral Council, Inter-sectoral Council reporting the results of recognition of meeting standards for the title of Professor and Associate Professor at the Sectoral Council, Inter-sectoral Council;

b) A list of candidates who have met the standards for the title of Professor and Associate Professor at the Sectoral Council, Inter-sectoral Council;

c) Evaluation forms of Professors and Associate Professors for each candidate;

d) A summary of the standards of each candidate;

đ) Three sets of files of candidates who have met the standards for the title of Professor and Associate Professor at the Sectoral Council, Inter-sectoral Council;

e) Minutes of ballot counting and voting forms of the Sectoral Council, Inter-sectoral Council;

g) Detailed minutes of meetings of the Sectoral Council, Inter-sectoral Council.

Article 18. Recognition of Meeting the Criteria for the Title of Professor, Associate Professor

1. The State Council for Professor Titles shall organize the review of the results of recognizing candidates meeting the criteria for the title of Professor or Associate Professor from the Sectoral Councils for Professor Titles and Inter-Sectoral Councils for Professor Titles. Based on the review results, the Chairman of the State Council for Professor Titles shall issue a decision to recognize meeting the criteria and issue a certificate of meeting the criteria for the title of Professor or Associate Professor for the candidates.

2. Sectoral Councils for Professor Titles, Inter-Sectoral Councils for Professor Titles shall not retain the results of partial or full recognition of meeting the criteria for the title of Professor or Associate Professor for candidates for the following year if the candidates have not been recognized by the State Council for Professor Titles during the current recognition period.

Article 19. Revocation of Recognition of Meeting the Criteria for the Title of Professor, Associate Professor, and Revocation of the Title of Professor, Associate Professor

1. Those who have been decided by the Chairman of the State Council for Professor Titles to recognize meeting the criteria for the title of Professor or Associate Professor, if found and determined to be not meeting the criteria or violating the provisions of Clauses 2, 3, and 4 of Article 18 of Decision No. 174/2008/QĐ-TTg dated December 31, 2008 of the Prime Minister, shall have their recognition of meeting the criteria for the title of Professor or Associate Professor revoked.

2. Those who have been conferred the academic rank of Professor or Associate Professor or recognized the title of Professor or Associate Professor before Decision No. 174/2008/QĐ-TTg dated December 31, 2008 of the Prime Minister took effect, if found and determined to be not meeting the criteria at the time of conferment or recognition or violating the provisions of Clauses 2, 3, and 4 of Article 18 of Decision No. 174/2008/QĐ-TTg dated December 31, 2008 of the Prime Minister, shall have their title of Professor or Associate Professor revoked.

3. The State Council for Professor Titles shall use secret ballot to make a resolution on revoking recognition of meeting the criteria for the title of Professor or Associate Professor, or revoking the title of Professor or Associate Professor. The resolution of the State Council for Professor Titles shall only be valid when it is approved by more than two-thirds of the total number of members of the Council.

Chapter IV

APPOINTMENT AND REMOVAL OF THE TITLE OF PROFESSOR, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

Article 20. Determination of the Need for Appointment of the Title of Professor, Associate Professor

Based on the objectives, tasks, training programs, and scientific research programs of higher education institutions; based on the resolutions of the University Council, proposals of departments, and opinions of the Scientific Council of higher education institutions; based on the regulations of the Minister of Education and Training regarding the structure of teaching staff in higher education institutions, the head of the higher education institution shall determine the need for appointment of the title of Professor or Associate Professor; publicly announce the number of Professors and Associate Professors needed in various fields and specialties.

Article 21. Application Documents for Appointment of the Title of Professor, Associate Professor

1. Application form for appointment of the title of Professor or Associate Professor;

2. Decision recognizing meeting the criteria for the title of Professor or Associate Professor issued by the Chairman of the State Council for Professor Titles;

3. Decision appointing the title of Professor or Associate Professor issued by the head of a foreign higher education institution or competent authority abroad for teachers appointed as Professor or Associate Professor at a foreign higher education institution;

4. Other necessary documents and papers as required by the higher education institution.

Article 22. Examination and Proposal for Appointment of the Title of Professor, Associate Professor

1. Teachers who have been recognized as meeting the criteria for the title of Professor or Associate Professor or have been appointed as Professor or Associate Professor at a foreign higher education institution and wish to be appointed the title of Professor or Associate Professor may submit application documents for examination of appointment of the title of Professor or Associate Professor at a higher education institution.

2. The head of the higher education institution shall organize the collection of application documents for examination of appointment of the title of Professor or Associate Professor from candidates, classify them by field and specialty, and transfer them to departments and specialties with needs to conduct examinations and propose appointments of the title of Professor or Associate Professor. The organization of examinations and proposals for appointments of the title of Professor or Associate Professor shall be carried out according to the provisions of Section 2 Chapter III of Decision No. 174/2008/QĐ-TTg dated December 31, 2008 of the Prime Minister stipulating the criteria and procedures for appointment and removal of the title of Professor, Associate Professor.

3. The head of the higher education institution shall prepare a list of candidates meeting the criteria for appointment of the title of Professor or Associate Professor, report to the competent management agency for confirmation, and send a letter requesting the Minister of Education and Training to appoint the title of Professor or Associate Professor.

4. The head of a non-public higher education institution shall prepare a list of candidates meeting the criteria for appointment of the title of Professor or Associate Professor, report to the Chairman of the Board of Directors for confirmation, and submit a proposal requesting the Minister of Education and Training to appoint the title of Professor or Associate Professor.

5. In cases where the title of Professor or Associate Professor is appointed for candidates transferred from other places, the higher education institution must complete the transfer, reassignment, or recruitment process according to the current regulations of the State.

Article 23. Removal from the position of Professor (GS) and Associate Professor (PGS)

1. Those who have had their recognition of meeting the criteria for the position of Professor (GS) and Associate Professor (PGS) revoked, or had their academic title or position of Professor (GS) and Associate Professor (PGS) stripped, shall be automatically removed from the position of Professor (GS) and Associate Professor (PGS) at higher education institutions.

2. Individuals who have been appointed to the position of Professor (GS) and Associate Professor (PGS) but fail to fulfill assigned tasks as stipulated in Article 5 of the Regulations on Criteria and Procedures for Appointment and Removal from the Position of Professor (GS) and Associate Professor (PGS), issued together with Decision No. 174/2008/QĐ-TTg dated December 31, 2008 by the Prime Minister, shall be removed from the position of Professor (GS) and Associate Professor (PGS).

The procedure for removal from the position of Professor (GS) and Associate Professor (PGS) shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 21 of the Regulations on Criteria and Procedures for Appointment and Removal from the Position of Professor (GS) and Associate Professor (PGS), issued together with Decision No. 174/2008/QĐ-TTg dated December 31, 2008 by the Prime Minister.

Article 24. Handling Complaints and Allegations

1. The handling of complaints and allegations regarding the recognition, revocation of recognition, appointment, and removal from the position of Professor (GS) and Associate Professor (PGS) shall be conducted in accordance with the laws on complaints and allegations. The heads of higher education institutions, the heads of the competent management agencies of higher education institutions, the National Council for Professor (GS) and Associate Professor (PGS) Appointments, and relevant units under the Ministry of Education and Training, and related organizations shall closely cooperate with the Inspectorate and other relevant units to handle complaints and allegations.

2. A re-meeting to review the recognition of meeting the criteria for the position of Professor (GS) and Associate Professor (PGS) and a re-vote of confidence for candidates shall only be conducted when there is a written conclusion from the National Council for Professor (GS) and Associate Professor (PGS) Appointments confirming that the process of recognizing meeting the criteria for the position of Professor (GS) and Associate Professor (PGS) has violated current regulations.

Article 25. Implementation organization

This Circular takes effect from September 4, 2009.

The Heads of the Office, the Director of the Department of Teachers and Educational Management Staff, the Heads of relevant units under the Ministry of Education and Training, the Heads of the competent management agencies of higher education institutions, the Chairman of the National Council for Professor (GS) and Associate Professor (PGS) Appointments, and the Heads of higher education institutions are responsible for implementing this Circular./.