Joint Circular No. 55/2003/TTLT-BGDĐT-BQP-BKHĐT-BTC guides the implementation of Decision No. 07/2003/QĐ-TTg dated January 9, 2003 of the Prime Minister on the planning of the Student National Defense Education Center System for the period 2001-2010.

CIRCULAR JOINT CIRCULAR
GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE DECISION
NUMBER 07/2003/QĐ-TTg OF JANUARY 9, 2003 BY THE PRIME MINISTER
ON THE PLAN FOR THE NATIONAL DEFENSE EDUCATION CENTER SYSTEM FOR STUDENTS PERIOD 2001-2010

Pursuant to Decision No. 07/2003/QĐ-TTg dated January 9, 2003 of the Prime Minister on the Plan for the National Defense Education Center System for Students Period 2001-2010

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS AND TASKS TO IMPLEMENT THE PLAN FOR THE NATIONAL DEFENSE EDUCATION CENTER SYSTEM FOR STUDENTS PERIOD 2001-2010

1. General Provisions

a) The scope of application of this Circular: This Circular applies to all Centers for National Defense Education within the National Defense Education Center System for Students Period 2001-2010 as stipulated in Decision No. 07/2003/QĐ-TTg dated January 9, 2003.

b) Principles for investment in National Defense Education Centers: Based on approved investment projects according to current investment and construction regulations.

c) Sources of funds for constructing National Defense Education Centers: In addition to central government budget funds, the relevant ministries, sectors, and localities managing these centers must plan to mobilize other legitimate sources of funding (such as tuition funds, preferential loans...), with the ratio of such mobilization clearly defined in the investment project approval decision. For the two National Defense Education Centers under Hanoi National University and Ho Chi Minh City National University, they shall implement the investment project approval decision for building national universities issued by the Prime Minister (which already includes the National Defense Education Center). Specifically, Ho Chi Minh City National University needs to develop a feasible project to upgrade the National Defense Education Center from a capacity of 10,000 students per year (already approved in the overall project) to 25,000 students per year (as stipulated in Decision No. 07/2003/QĐ-TTg) and submit it to the competent authority for approval and investment.

d) Proposals for establishing National Defense Education Centers shall be developed based on the organizational and operational regulations of the National Defense Education Center issued together with Decision No. 03/2001/QĐ-BGD&ĐT dated February 6, 2001 of the Minister of Education and Training and Circular No. 4006/GDQP dated May 22, 2001 on guiding the implementation of the National Defense Education Center regulations. After completing the proposal, training institutions with National Defense Education Centers shall submit it to the competent authority for establishment decisions. Once the establishment decision is made, the National Defense Education Centers shall develop a feasible project and submit it to the competent authority for approval and proceed with investment according to the schedule specified in Decision No. 07/2003/QĐ-TTg. Teaching equipment and learning aids at the National Defense Education Centers shall be purchased according to the list of teaching equipment for National Defense Education courses for universities, colleges, vocational schools, and high schools issued together with Decision No. 52/2003/QĐ-BGD&ĐT dated November 7, 2003 by the Ministry of Education and Training.

2. Tasks to Implement the Plan for the National Defense Education Center System for Students Period 2001-2010.

To ensure that the National Defense Education Centers reach the training scale specified in Decision No. 07/2003/QĐ-TTg of the Prime Minister, the responsible units need to focus on directing relevant agencies to implement the following tasks:

a) For the 7 currently operating National Defense Education Centers:

- Supplementing faculty members and management staff.

- Accelerating the construction of physical infrastructure.

- Supplementing teaching equipment and facilities.

- Developing upgrade plans and submitting them to the competent authority for approval.

b) For the 6 National Defense Education Centers established according to Decision No. 07/2003/QĐ-TTg during the period 2003-2005:

Determining locations, requesting land allocation, and promptly developing proposals to submit to the competent authority for establishment decisions, gradually forming organizational structures to commence operations. Developing construction projects, submitting them to the competent authority for approval, and proceeding with construction. Purchasing teaching equipment and learning aids.

c) For the 3 National Defense Education Centers to be established according to Decision No. 07/2003/QĐ-TTg during the period 2006-2010:

Conducting practical surveys, developing feasible proposals to submit to the competent authority for establishment decisions (which may be earlier than the prescribed time).

When implementing Decision No. 07/2003/QĐ-TTg, it must be based on the principles set out in Decision No. 07/2003/QĐ-TTg while utilizing existing infrastructure and combining with support from local military schools to enable the National Defense Education Centers to form and operate as soon as possible.

When implementing Decision No. 07/2003/QĐ-TTg, new National Defense Education Centers can be built while simultaneously training, improving, and developing existing ones. Utilizing available school grounds, infrastructure, management and service staff, and dispatched officers to form the organizational structure of the center. Gradually developing infrastructure and faculty to improve the National Defense Education Center.

Responsible units need to develop proposals for establishing National Defense Education Centers within their overall development projects until 2010.

Chapter II
ORGANIZATIONAL FORM OF THE NATIONAL DEFENSE EDUCATION CENTER SYSTEM FOR STUDENTS PERIOD 2001-2010

1. National Defense Education Centers under provincial People's Committees directly under the Central Government: Haiphong National Defense Education Center, Thanh Hoa National Defense Education Center, Bac Giang National Defense Education Center;

2. National Defense Education Centers under the Ministry of National Defense: Da Nang National Defense Education Center under Military Region 5 School and Quang Trung National Defense Education Center under Military Region 7 School;

3. National Defense Education Centers under the Ministry of Education and Training:

a) National Defense Education Centers under the Ministry of Education and Training: Thai Nguyen National Defense Education Center (under Thai Nguyen University), Hanoi I National Defense Education Center (under Ha Tay Physical Education College), Hanoi II National Defense Education Center (under Hanoi Pedagogical University 2), Hue National Defense Education Center (under Hue University), Central Highlands National Defense Education Center (under Central Highlands University), Can Tho National Defense Education Center (under Can Tho University), Khanh Hoa National Defense Education Center (under Fisheries University), Vinh National Defense Education Center (under Vinh University), and Northwest National Defense Education Center (under Northwest University).

b) National Defense Education Centers under the National Universities: Thu Duc National Defense Education Center under Ho Chi Minh City National University and Hanoi National University National Defense Education Center.

Chapter III
IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE

1. Period from now to 2005:

a) For the 7 existing National Defense Education Centers: Based on the organizational staffing plan of the centers, the Ministry of National Defense will gradually complete the number and quality of seconded officers to perfect the teaching staff and key personnel; at the same time, consolidate existing infrastructure and build missing projects; purchase additional equipment, models, and learning aids to meet the new training scale.

By 2005, these National Defense Education Centers must reach the training scale specified in Decision No. 07/2003/QĐ-TTg.

b) For the 6 newly established National Defense Education Centers:

- Authorities with jurisdiction should promptly issue decisions to establish, build basic organizational structures oriented towards developing from existing National Defense Education Departments and Divisions of universities that have seconded officers to form and begin operations.

- Develop feasibility studies and clearly identify key projects for sequential investment and construction.

- Utilize existing facilities of the university to conduct National Defense Education courses.

- Apply for and purchase equipment, models, and learning aids for teaching. These National Defense Education Centers need to start operations early so that by 2004-2005 they can accept students according to the training scale specified in Decision No. 07/2003/QĐ-TTg.

2. Period 2006-2010:

a) For the 13 existing National Defense Education Centers: Continue to invest in completing projects so that these National Defense Education Centers reach the training scale specified in Decision No. 07/2003/QĐ-TTg.

b) For the 3 National Defense Education Centers established during the period 2006-2010: Hong Duc University will develop a proposal to request the People's Committee of Thanh Hoa Province to issue a decision to establish "Thanh Hoa National Defense Education Center"; Bac Giang College of Education will develop a proposal to request the People's Committee of Bac Giang Province to issue a decision to establish "Bac Giang National Defense Education Center"; and Northwest University will develop a proposal to request the Ministry of Education and Training to issue a decision to establish "Northwest National Defense Education Center". Conduct surveys, develop feasibility studies, and implement investments starting from 2006. By 2008, these centers will begin accepting students.

Chapter IV
IMPLEMENTATION

1. Ministry of Education and Training:

a) Establish a steering committee to implement Decision No. 07/2003/QĐ-TTg of the Prime Minister under the Ministry of Education and Training, with participation from relevant ministries and sectors.

b) Develop and promulgate necessary guiding documents during the implementation of Decision No. 07/2003/QĐ-TTg.

c) Guide educational institutions with National Defense Education Centers listed in Decision No. 07/2003/QĐ-TTg to develop feasible project plans for establishing National Defense Education Centers and submit them to competent authorities for approval; based on approved projects, compile and develop annual implementation plans for Decision No. 07/2003/QĐ-TTg and send them to the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance for consolidation and submission to the Prime Minister.

d) Coordinate with the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of National Defense to inspect and supervise the implementation of plans at National Defense Education Centers.

2. Ministry of National Defense:

a) Based on the Prime Minister's decision and the organizational scale of National Defense Education Centers, the Ministry of National Defense will coordinate with the Ministry of Education and Training to assign seconded officers to National Defense Education Centers.

b) Ensure weapons and military technical equipment specifically used for teaching and learning National Defense Education subjects for newly established National Defense Education Centers in accordance with Decree No. 15/2001/NĐ-CP dated May 1, 2001 of the Government on National Defense Education and Clause 1.2 Section II Circular Joint No. 4086/2001/TTLT-BQP-BGD&ĐT-BLĐTBXH-BTC guiding the implementation of Decree No. 15/2001/NĐ-CP.

c) Coordinate with the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the Ministry of Finance to inspect and supervise the implementation of plans at National Defense Education Centers.

3. The Ministry of Planning and Investment:

a) Annually compile needs, balance plans, and submit to the Prime Minister for approval the investment construction plans for National Defense Education Centers of ministries, sectors, and localities.

b) Coordinate with the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Ministry of Finance to inspect and supervise the implementation of plans at National Defense Education Centers.

4. The Ministry of Finance

a) Annually, based on the State Budget Law, guide ministries, sectors, and localities to prepare budget estimates for National Defense Education Centers, consider and incorporate them into the state budget estimate, and coordinate with the Ministry of Planning and Investment to submit to the Prime Minister for approval.

b) Allocate budgets to educational institutions with National Defense Education Centers according to the annual plan assigned, in accordance with current regulations.

c) Coordinate with the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Ministry of Planning and Investment to inspect and supervise the implementation of plans at National Defense Education Centers.

5. Ministries, sectors, People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities.

a) Pursuant to Clause 2, Article 2 of Decision No. 07/2003/QĐ-TTg, issue a decision on establishing and investing in constructing National Defense Education Centers within the scope of authority, incorporate it into the investment construction plan of ministries, sectors, and localities, and submit it to the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the Ministry of Finance for consolidation and balancing before submission.

b) Support National Defense Education Centers located within their jurisdiction in carrying out procedures to apply for and receive land and other procedures during the construction process of National Defense Education Centers.

c) Regularly, every six months and annually, the ministries, sectors, People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities shall take the lead in inspecting educational institutions with National Defense Education Centers regarding the implementation of Decision No. 07/2003/QĐ-TTg.

6. Educational institutions with National Defense Education Centers.

a) Prepare a feasible project for constructing National Defense Education Centers according to Decision No. 07/2003/QĐ-TTg and submit it to the competent authority for approval.

b) Report regularly every six months and annually to the investment decision-making agency and the Steering Committee responsible for implementing Decision No. 07/2003/QĐ-TTg under the Ministry of Education and Training on the progress of the approved project.

c) Receive and use funds for the intended purpose, for the designated recipients, in accordance with regulations, economically, and efficiently.

Chapter V
IMPLEMENTATION METHODS

a) The budget expenses for National Defense Education Centers managed by ministries, sectors, and localities shall be borne by those ministries, sectors, and localities, and the budget allocated to National Defense Education Centers shall not be used for other purposes.

b) Ministries, sectors, and localities with National Defense Education Centers shall prepare budget estimates and send them to the Ministry of Education and Training simultaneously to the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance. In the budget estimate, clearly define administrative and public service funding and basic construction funding. Based on the budget estimate, the Ministry of Education and Training will compile the annual implementation plan and submit it to the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance for unified submission to the Prime Minister for approval.
Guide and inspect provincial people's committees in developing local housing development programs, housing development targets, and annual and phased housing development plans within the socio-economic development tasks of their respective regions;

c) According to the Master Plan for the System of National Defense Education Centers for Students from 2001 to 2010, which has been approved by the Prime Minister, ministries, sectors, and localities with National Defense Education Centers shall assign tasks to educational institutions to prepare projects and submit them to the competent authority for approval as the basis for implementation and annual planning, and carry out construction in accordance with the prescribed procedures set forth in Decree No. 52/1999/NĐ-CP dated July 8, 1999, on the Management of Investment and Construction; Decree No. 12/2000/NĐ-CP dated May 5, 2000, and Decree No. 07/2003/NĐ-CP dated January 30, 2003, of the Government amending and supplementing certain provisions of the Management of Investment and Construction Regulations, and the circulars guiding their implementation.

d) Ministries, sectors, People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities shall report annually to the Prime Minister on the results of implementation and report every six months and annually to the agency assigned the task of consolidation (the Ministry of Education and Training) to report to the Prime Minister on the results of implementing the Master Plan for the System of National Defense Education Centers, and send copies to the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance.

Chapter VI
EFFECTIVE DATE OF ENFORCEMENT

This Circular shall take effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette. During the implementation period, if there are any difficulties, please promptly reflect them for inter-ministerial consideration, supplementation, and amendment.