Circular No. 26/2026/TT-BGDĐT on Standards for University Lecturer Professional Qualifications

CIRCULAR

Regulating the Professional Standards for University Lecturers

      

Based on the Law on Teachers No. 73/2025/QH15;

Based on Decree No. 93/2026/NĐ-CP dated March 31, 2026 of the Government regulating certain provisions of the Law on Teachers;

Based on Decree No. 37/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 26, 2025 of the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Education and Training;

In accordance with the proposal by the Director of the Department of Teachers and Educational Administration;

The Minister of Education and Training promulgates this Circular to regulate the professional standards for university lecturers.

Chapter I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Application

This Circular regulates the professional standards for university lecturers, including their tasks and professional standards according to each rank.

Article 2. Applicability

1. This Circular applies to university lecturers, including: regular lecturers, senior lecturers, and associate professors in public and private higher education institutions (hereinafter referred to collectively as higher education institutions), and relevant organizations or individuals.

2. This Circular does not apply to lecturers in higher education institutions under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of National Defense or the Ministry of Public Security.

Article 3. Tasks of University Lecturers

1. The tasks of a lecturer include:

a) Teaching, guiding, and evaluating student theses and graduation theses for undergraduate programs; participating in teaching postgraduate and doctoral programs if qualified according to regulations; guiding discussions, practical sessions, experiments, and internships; participating in academic advising;

b) Participating in the development of educational programs; taking the lead in developing educational programs for subjects taught by the lecturer;

c) Leading or participating in the preparation of textbooks, reference books, monographs, manuals, translations, and teaching materials (hereinafter collectively referred to as teaching materials);

d) Organizing and participating in scientific, technological, and innovation activities; writing and presenting research papers at academic conferences and seminars; participating in evaluating projects or topics or science and technology service contracts of all levels related to student research projects; participating in international cooperation activities and ensuring the quality of higher education;

d) Studying, enhancing professional political theory, expertise, and skills; participating in practical activities to improve teaching and scientific research quality;

e) Leading or participating in career development and community service;

g) Participating in management work, party, and mass organization work as assigned;

h) Performing other tasks as directed by the head of the higher education institution or the head of a subordinate unit within the institution according to delegated authority consistent with the professional expertise standards for lecturers and relevant legal provisions.

2. The tasks of a senior lecturer include:

a) Teaching, guiding, and evaluating student theses and graduation theses for undergraduate programs; participating in teaching postgraduate and doctoral programs if qualified according to regulations; guiding students, trainees, and doctoral candidates (hereinafter collectively referred to as students) in effective learning and research methods; participating in academic advising;

b) Leading or participating in the development of educational programs; taking the lead in developing educational programs for subjects taught by the lecturer; proposing policies, directions, and measures for the industry or specialty assigned; proactively proposing solutions to improve teaching quality, assessment methods, and training results of students;

c) Leading or participating in the preparation of teaching materials; leading or participating in scientific, technological, and innovation activities, guiding students' scientific, technological, and innovation activities;

d) Leading or participating in evaluating projects or topics or science and technology service contracts of all levels related to student research projects; writing and presenting research papers at academic conferences and seminars; participating in international cooperation activities and ensuring the quality of higher education;

d) Participating in the training of faculty according to professional development requirements;

e) Studying, enhancing professional political theory, expertise, and skills; participating in practical activities to improve teaching and scientific research quality;

g) Leading or participating in career development and community service;

h) Participating in management work, party, and mass organization work as assigned;

i) Performing other tasks as directed by the head of the higher education institution or the head of a subordinate unit within the institution according to delegated authority consistent with the professional expertise standards for senior lecturers and relevant legal provisions.

3. The tasks of an associate professor include:

a) Teaching, guiding, and evaluating student theses and graduation theses for undergraduate programs or higher; guiding and evaluating master's theses and doctoral dissertations; leading or participating in thesis defense committees; organizing guidance on scientific research for students; guiding students in effective learning and research methods; identifying students' strengths to organize talent development.

b) Shall be responsible for the development and establishment of training programs in the specialized field; develop training programs for subjects taught by instructors and provide guidance and support to colleagues in developing training programs; propose directions and measures for the development of the department or specialization; proactively update scientific achievements into the development of training programs; innovate teaching methods and assessment methods for student learning outcomes;

c) Shall be responsible for, or participate in, the compilation of books for training purposes; shall be responsible for, or participate in, the implementation of scientific, technological activities, and innovation; guide the scientific, technological, and innovation activities of the department or specialized group;

d) Shall be responsible for evaluating project proposals or research topics or science and technology service contracts at various levels that are relevant; organize and present scientific reports at academic conferences and seminars. Shall be responsible for, or participate in, the validation and publication of scientific reports, research works, share experiences to contribute to the development of the department and specialization; shall be responsible for, or participate in, international cooperation activities and ensure the quality of higher education;

đ) Shall be responsible for the training and development of faculty members according to the requirements of professional and vocational development;

e) Shall study and undergo political theory, specialized knowledge, and vocational training; participate in practical activities to enhance the quality of training and scientific research;

g) Shall be responsible for, or participate in, career development and community service;

h) Participate in management work, party work, and mass organization work according to assignment;

i) Shall perform other tasks assigned by the head of the higher education institution or the head of a unit subordinate to, directly under, the higher education institution as delegated within their authority, consistent with the standards for professional and vocational capabilities of senior lecturers and relevant legal provisions.

Article 4. Professional Ethics Standards for University Lecturers

1. Maintain the quality, reputation, and honor of teachers; exhibit a spirit of unity, respect, and cooperation among colleagues; demonstrate kindness, tolerance, magnanimity, respect, and fair treatment towards students, protect their lawful and legitimate rights and interests, support colleagues and the community; practice frugality, combat corruption and waste.

2. Be passionate about teaching, dedicated to work; be fair in teaching and education, evaluate students' abilities accurately.

3. Adhere to academic ethics regulations and ensure scientific integrity, act honestly and transparently in teaching, research, publishing research results, and other professional activities.

4. Comply with the code of conduct for teachers, follow the rules and regulations of the higher education institution and other ethical standards as stipulated by law.

Chapter II
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS FOR UNIVERSITY LECTURERS

Article 5. Professional Standards for Lecturers

1. The professional ethics standard of a lecturer must meet the professional ethics standards specified in Article 4 of this Circular.

2. Training and education level standards

a) Hold a master's degree or higher that is relevant to the position, subject, or specialization taught, except as provided in point b of this clause;

b) Lecturers teaching minority languages at higher education institutions shall meet the training standards specified in paragraph 3 of Article 20 of Decree No. 93/2026/NĐ-CP dated March 31, 2026, of the Government on detailed implementation and guidance for certain provisions of the Law on Teachers;

c) Hold a certificate of professional training for university lecturers.

3. Professional knowledge and skills standards

a) Possess basic knowledge of the subjects assigned to teach; have general knowledge about some related subjects in the specialization taught;

b) Understand and correctly implement the objectives, plans, contents, and programs of the subjects assigned within the specialization taught. Stay updated with practical and development trends in training and research in the specialization both domestically and internationally;

c) Effectively and safely use teaching aids and equipment, employ effective teaching methods that are suitable for the content of the subject; teach to a satisfactory standard or higher;

d) Carry out scientific, technological activities, and innovation;

d) Apply information technology and use foreign languages in performing their duties as lecturers.

Article 6. Professional Standards for Senior Lecturers

1. Moral Standards A senior lecturer must meet the moral standards specified in Clause 4 of this Circular.

2. Educational Qualification and Training

a) Hold a master's degree or higher that is relevant to the position, subject, or specialty taught;

b) Possess a certificate for professional standard training of university lecturers.

3. Professional Competence and Expertise

a) Have solid knowledge in the subjects assigned to teach and basic knowledge of some related subjects within the teaching specialty assigned;

b) Understand and effectively implement the objectives, plans, content, and programs of the subjects assigned. Timely grasp practical requirements for the teaching specialty;

c) Lead at least one (1) scientific, technological, and innovation activity at the institutional or higher level that has been appraised with results meeting or exceeding the required standards;

d) Lead or participate in the compilation of at least one (1) textbook for training that is reviewed by a scientific council (established by the head of the higher education institution or an authorized body), approved, and used in training from the undergraduate level upwards, relevant to the subject or specialty taught by the lecturer, with an International Standard Book Number (ISBN);

d) Author at least three (3) scientific articles as research works that are published in a scientific journal with an International Standard Serial Number (ISSN);

e) Apply information technology and use foreign languages in performing the duties of a senior lecturer.

Article 7. Professional Standards for Associate Professors

1. Moral Standards An associate professor must meet the moral standards specified in Clause 4 of this Circular.

2. Educational Qualification and Training

a) Hold a doctoral degree that is relevant to the position, subject, or specialty taught;

b) Possess a certificate for professional standard training of university lecturers.

3. Professional Competence and Expertise

a) Have in-depth knowledge in the subjects assigned to teach and solid knowledge of some related subjects within the teaching specialty assigned;

b) Master the practical realities and trends in teaching and scientific research work in the specialty;

c) Lead at least two (2) scientific, technological, and innovation activities at the institutional or higher level, or one (1) such activity at a higher level that has been appraised with results meeting or exceeding the required standards;

d) Supervise at least two (2) master's degree candidates or supervise as primary, secondary, or independent supervisor at least one (1) doctoral candidate; For lecturers teaching subjects in health sciences specialties, supervising a successful defense of a specialized thesis or residency training counts as supervising one (1) master's degree candidate. For lecturers teaching arts specialties, supervision of one (1) doctoral candidate can be substituted by one (1) research work, creation that has won a national or international award from an authorized body. If a lecturer does not participate in supervising master's theses or doctoral dissertations, the number of scientific, technological, and innovation activities already appraised must be twice the number specified at point c of this clause;

d) Lead the compilation of at least one (1) textbook for training that is reviewed by a scientific council (established by the head of the higher education institution or an authorized body), approved, and used in training from the undergraduate level upwards, relevant to the subject or specialty taught by the lecturer, with an International Standard Book Number (ISBN);

e) Author at least six (6) scientific articles as research works that are published in a scientific journal with an International Standard Serial Number (ISSN);

g) Apply information technology and use foreign languages in performing the duties of an associate professor.

Chapter III
ORGANIZATION OF IMPLEMENTATION

Article 8. Transitional Provisions

1. Certificates of training in accordance with the professional position standards for university lecturers or certificates of training in accordance with the professional position standards for university lecturers as provided by law, issued before December 31, 2026, shall be deemed equivalent to the certificate of training in accordance with the professional position standards for university lecturers as specified in this Circular.

2. University lecturers recruited, received, or transferred to a university lecturer position prior to the effective date of this Circular are not required to meet the standard of having a certificate of training in accordance with the professional position standards for university lecturers.

3. University lecturers recruited, received, or transferred to a university lecturer position from the effective date of this Circular:

a) Those who already have a certificate of training as specified in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be deemed to meet the standard of having a certificate of training in accordance with the professional position standards for university lecturers;

b) Those who do not yet have a certificate of training as specified in paragraph 1 of this Article must complete the requirements for obtaining a certificate of training in accordance with the professional position standards for university lecturers within twelve months from the effective date of the program for training in accordance with the professional position standards for university lecturers;

c) After twelve months from the effective date of the program for training in accordance with the professional position standards for university lecturers, they must fully meet the requirements for obtaining a certificate of training in accordance with the professional position standards for university lecturers as provided.

4. Cases involving recruitment, reception, or promotion to the professional position of university lecturer within public higher education institutions according to the approved plan or program by competent authorities before June 30, 2026, shall be implemented in accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 25 of Decree No. 93/2026/NĐ-CP dated March 31, 2026, of the Government on detailed provisions and guidelines for implementing certain articles of the Law on Teachers.

Article 9. Implementation Responsibilities

1. The Department of Teacher Education and Educational Administration shall take the lead in coordinating with relevant units to assist the Minister of Education and Training in guiding, supervising, and inspecting the implementation of the provisions of this Circular; develop a training plan for university lecturers to meet professional position standards.

2. Heads of higher education institutions or heads of subordinate units within such institutions, based on the authority delegated:

a) Assign, allocate, and delegate tasks to university lecturers and evaluate their performance according to the corresponding university lecturer position;

b) Develop and implement training, development plans for university lecturers in accordance with their authority;

c) Advise higher-level management agencies and local authorities on managing, training, and enhancing the quality and professional competence of university lecturers.

Article 10. Implementation

1. This Circular shall take effect from April 9, 2026.

2. Paragraphs 3, 5, 6, and 7 of Circular No. 40/2020/TT-BGDĐT concerning the code number, professional position standards, appointment, and salary grading for teaching staff in public higher education institutions; paragraph 2 of Circular No. 04/2022/TT-BGDĐT amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 35/2020/TT-BGDĐT concerning the code number, professional position standards, appointment, and salary grading for teaching staff in public teacher training colleges; and Circular No. 40/2020/TT-BGDĐT shall cease to have effect from the date this Circular takes effect.

3. The Minister of Education and Training, heads of agencies at the ministerial level, heads of agencies under the Government, chairpersons of people's committees in provinces and municipalities directly under the Central Government; higher education institutions, and relevant organizations and individuals shall be responsible for implementing this Circular.

4. In case any referenced documents in this Circular are amended, supplemented, or replaced, implementation shall be carried out according to the new documents.

5. Any difficulties encountered during implementation should be reported to the Ministry of Education and Training for guidance or consideration and resolution.

 

\

 

\