Viet-Duc University (Vietnamese-German University), a German-modeled public university has been set up in Vietnam. Sai Gon Giai Phong spoke to its dean, Prof. Dr. Wolf Rieck.
SGGP: Being the first foreign dean of a university set up by the Vietnamese Government, did you face any difficulties in the initial stages?
Prof. Dr.Wolf Rieck: I did not face any difficulty. Both the Vietnamese and German partners have taken positive part in the preparations, especially … the two governments. Let me tell you I like to work here with Vietnamese partners.
The public is interested in the new university because everybody hopes it would be a model for higher education. What is your opinion?
The Vietnam-Germany university is like a progressive university in Germany. Our slogan is: “Made-in-Germany High Tech in Vietnam.” The German educational system is highly efficient, combining research with teaching. Research in Germany is state-owned, hence they are part of university curriculums. As a result, the education quality is always high. We promise to provide high-quality education at our university.
How does the Vietnamese-German university differ from technology universities in Germany?
There is not much difference. Its curriculums are absolutely like those of German universities. Its graduates will receive diplomas from a German university partner.
How did you recruit lecturers to ensure high quality of education?
At the time of establishment, we appointed lecturers from Germany. However, we will take Vietnamese lecturers in the long term. We know that Vietnamese universities are very good in teaching basic sciences. The university has Vietnamese lecturers teaching the basic sciences already.
What courses will the university offer this year?
For the bachelor’s program, we will offer electrical engineering and information technology, urban development. For the master’s program, we have computational engineering, mecharonics and sensorsystem technology, business information systems.
We will have 25 students in every class.
To get admission, students must score:
- 550 points in TOEFL.
- The same points in HCMC Technical University’s entrance examination.
For master’s courses they must have graduated with an average score of 8.0.
How about tuition fees?
US$1,500 a year.
Can the university ensure high quality with this?
The tuition fees are 50 percent lower than in Germany because the university is funded by the two governments.
Please tell us about the future of Vietnamese-German University graduates!
Graduates from the university can work for companies, have a greater chance to work for German companies or continue studying.
Accommodation is very important for students. What are you doing about it?
Because the university is located inside the campus of the HCMC National University in Thu Duc District, students can stay in [its] dormitories and use its buses. In the coming years we will build our own dormitory.
Will you provide any assistance to poor students?
We will have scholarships for excellent poor students. We are in negotiations with the German Government to offer scholarships to poor students, including scholarships for studying in Germany.
