Higher Education in VIETNAM: US$50 million World Bank loan

VIETNAM: US$50 million World Bank loan

Dale Down 11 October 2009 Issue: 0096  Source: University World News The World Bank has approved a US$50 million loan for its higher education development policy programme in Vietnam, the first time the bank has injected money into the sector. Because of Vietnam's pace of economic change, the higher education sector has had difficulty keeping up. After the country's liberalisation policy, Doi Moi, was implemented in the mid 1980s, Vietnam's economy grew at a massive rate. A constant in-pouring of foreign investment as a result of the liberalisation meant that certain sectors such as manufacturing grew at a phenomenal pace. But because of the slow pace of higher education reform, Vietnam faces a severe shortage of skilled people - hence the World Bank loan.... .....The bank loan is a response to this progress but, in return, the bank is expecting a 40% increase in student enrolments by 2020, a modest number by anyone's standards. Whether this target is met depends on many factors other than those mentioned. Even with improvements in teaching standards and more places available to students, the courses offered by universities have to be more relevant in the current economic climate, for Vietnam itself and the needs of young Vietnamese. Read more...