US$300 million to build three hi-quality university urban areas

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has decided to borrow approximately US$300 million in ODA loans, from international financial institutions, in order to invest in developing three hi-quality university urban areas in three regions across the country.

The mock-up of Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City
The mock-up of Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City

Accordingly, the government will focus its investment in developing Vietnam National University Hanoi, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang University into three hi-quality university urban areas in the north, central and the south of Vietnam, according to the Government Office's announcement, released on November 22.

The announcement states that the three universities play a vital role in the national education and training system, which should be pioneered through innovations and improvements to the quality of university education in order to contribute to promoting a fundamental and comprehensive renewal of the education and training sector, meeting the national demand for human resource training and contributing to sustainable national development.

Therefore, the Government, in coordination with ministries, sectors and localities, will continue to create favourable conditions and give priority to developing these three universities so that they will become prestigious training and research centres in Vietnam and in the region.

The PM also agreed with the three universities to set up public-private partnership (PPP) projects to build infrastructure facilities within the three university urban areas.

The PM also asked the People's Committees of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Quang Nam, and Binh Duong to develop specific policies in support of these universities to build public facilities including dormitories, bus systems, sports centres, among others.