Executive summary PHD thesis in history the policy and guideline of the communist party of vietnam on education and training cooperation with ASEAN countries from 1995 to 2010

POLITICS AND PUBLIC ADMINITRATIONNGUYEN THI MAI The policy and guideline of the communist party of vietnam on education and training cooperation with asean countries from 1995 to 2010 Ma

POLITICS AND PUBLIC ADMINITRATION

NGUYEN THI MAI

The policy and guideline of the communist

party of vietnam on education and training

cooperation with asean countries

from 1995 to 2010

Major: History of the Communist Party of Vietnam Code number: 62 22 56 01

Science Instructors: Prof Dr Nguyen Huu Cat

Prof Dr Nguyen Hoang Giap

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PhD Thesis In History

Hanoi - 2013

PhD Thesis In History

*****

1 The urgency of the thesis

In the late 1980s, when Agreements on cultural and Science and technologicalcooperation between Vietnam and other socialist countries during the period between

1986 and 1990 nearly expired, the socialist regime in Soviet Union fell into crisis Thus,international relations moved to a new phase with fierce challenges, requiring quickadaptation from Vietnam to propose a new strategy in dealing with the changingcircumstances

In the context where the country was facing many difficulties there were manyprofound changes in the world situation The Communist Party of Vietnam advocatedjoining ASEAN, thus defining cooperation on education and training with ASEANcountries as a priority To implement the policy of the Party and State, the Ministry ofEducation and Training actively planned to join the South East Asian Ministers ofEducation Organisation (SEAMEO) On 10 Feb 1992, at the 27th meeting of theCouncil of Southeast Asian Ministers of Educatios, held in Brunei, the Ministry ofEducation and Training of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam became an officialmember of this organization After Vietnam became an official member of ASEAN(July 1995), and the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training became amember of the ASEAN Sub- Committee of Education (ASCOE), it has been activelycollaborated with other regional countries to carry out practical and effectiveactivities

In the task of boosting industrialization and modernization process in thecountry, education and training plays a very important role, as the top national policy.The Party and the Government have introduced many policies and closely monitored

to promote education and training in the country One of the guidelines and measures

is to strengthen cooperation on education and training with other countries, especiallyregional ones By 2010, Vietnam has established educational partnerships with morethan 80 countries and regions, 36 international organizations and 70 non-

governmental organizations Furthermore, cooperation on education and training alsocontributed to the promotion of Vietnamese diplomacy.

At the 9th ASEAN Summit (October 2003), the ASEAN leaders signed theDeclaration of ASEAN Concord II (Bali Concord II), specifying major strategicorientations with the goal of building a strongly connected and self-improvedASEAN Community in 2020 on three pillars: Political – Security Community,Economic Community, and Cultural – Social Community The 12th ASEAN Summit(January 2007) decided to shorten the formation of the ASEAN Community by 2015

In the building of the ASEAN Community, especially the Cultural – Social one, thequality of cooperation on education and training should be strengthened andimproved besides other areas of cooperation such as politics, security, andeconomics

As the initiator of the ASEAN Cultural – Social Community with education as

an important element, Vietnam shall be responsible for and in charge of promotingcooperation on education and training between ASEAN countries In that spirit, ourParty and Government have launched many policies and measures to finish the task

in the shortest time From now to 2010, 15 years after Vietnam joined ASEAN, inorder to further improve the efficiency and quality of education and trainingcooperation with ASEAN countries, thus contributing to the building of the ASEANCultural - Social Community by 2015, it is important to carry out regular review andevaluation of achievements and constraints and to accumulate experiences on theParty’s policies and guidance on cooperation on education and training with otherASEAN countries

From the aforementioned theoretical and practical meaning, the topic on “The Policies and Guidance of the Communist Party of Vietnam on cooperation on education and training with ASEAN countries from 1995 to 2010” has been chosen for

my PhD thesis, majoring in History of the Communist Party of Vietnam

2 Purpose and Missions of the Thesis

2.1 Purpose

Through the study of the Party’s policy and guidance, along with actualcooperation cooperation on education and training between Vietnam and ASEANcountries over the last 15 years (1995-2010), this thesis asserts the activeness andinsight of Party in prioritizing education and training cooperation as the basis forpromoting comprehensive cooperation with other ASEAN countries, thus emphazingthe achievements as well as limitations and drawing out fundamental lessons

2.2 Mission

This thesis first identifies the historical context and domestic and internationalfactors affecting the education and training cooperation between Vietnam and otherASEAN It then clarifies the Party’s view and the process in implementing suchcooperation from 1995 to 2010 After evaluating successes and limitations duringsuch process, this thesis is able to draw some experiences and lessons learnt duringthe process of directing cooperation between Vietnam and ASEAN by the Party

3 Objects and Scope of research

3.1 Objects of research

This thesis conducts research on the Party’s policy and guidance as well as theimplementation process of bilateral and multilateral cooperation on education andtraining with other ASEAN countries

3.2 Scope of research

 Research period: from 1995 to 2010

 Research content: Since cooperation on education and training is broad inscope, this thesis only focuses on the policy and guidance of the CommunistParty of Vietnam’s educational cooperation with ASEAN countries

 Scope of research: Cooperation on education and training with ASEANcountries on two aspects: multilateral and bilateral (except Brunei)

4 The rationale and research methodology

4.1 Rationale and Practice: The rationale of this thesis is based on the theory

of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh ideology on international cooperation oneducation and training, the views of the Party and State as well as the guidelines andpolicies of Vietnam - ASEAN cooperation in general, and cooperation on educationand training in particular In the practical aspect, the thesis is based on the practicalcooperation on education and training between Vietnam and other ASEAN countriesfrom 1995 to 2010

4.2 Research Methodology: The research methodology of this thesis is

primarily historical approach combined with logical methods In addition, the thesisalso uses analytical, aggregated, statistical, comparative methods and survey toillustrate the issues in the dissertation

5 Scientific contribution of the thesis

5.1 Sources of Data

The thesis collects and systemizes documentation of the policies, guidance andimplementation outcomes of cooperation on education and training with ASEANcountries from 1995 to 2010

 Outcomes of the thesis shall contribute to the research and teaching of thehistory of the Communist Party of Vietnam in the new era.

6 Significance of the thesis

The research outcome of this thesis contributes to better cooperation betweenVietnam and ASEAN It asserts that the Party and State’s policies and guidances oncooperation with ASEAN countries in the field of education and training during theperiod of accelerating industrialization, modernization and international integrationare completely appropriate in contributing to the improvement of research andteaching quality of the Party’s history in the new age The thesis provides additionalscientific arguments and suggests some thoughts applicable to present cooperation oneducation and training between Vietnam and ASEAN.

7 Structure of the thesis

Besides introduction, overview of the research, conclusions, list of referencesand appendices, the thesis is divided into three chapters and eight sections

RESEARCH OVERVIEW

The thesis provides an overview of the research outcomes of scientific studiesthat are directly related to the following topics:

 Scientific study of the cooperation between Vietnam and ASEAN:

The book on The integration process of Vietnam – ASEAN, by Dinh Xuan Ly,

published by the National University Publishing House in 2000; Ministerial research

project of the Department of ASEAN in 2001 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs); 5 years

of Vienam’s accession to ASEAN: achievements, challenges and prospects; key

scientific study on Vietnam – ASEAN Integration: the process, current status and

related problems by the Hanoi National University, checked in 2002; The book Vietnam - ASEAN multilateral and bilateral relations by Vu Duong Ninh, published

by National Political Publishing House; The article The development of ASEAN: 10

years looking back by Nguyen Thu My on the Communist Review issue no.14/ July

2005; The article Vietnam - ASEAN after 10 years by Le Cong Phung published on

External Affairs Magazine, issue no.8/2005; The doctoral dissertation in history

Thailand - Vietnam Relations (1976-2004) by Thananan Boonwanna, completed in

2008; The book Connecting ASEAN in the first decade of the twenty-first century by

Prof Pham Duc Thanh (Editor), published by the Social Sciences Publishing House

in 2006; The book The role of Vietnam in ASEAN by the Database and Document

Centre under Vietnam News Agency, published by Vietnam News Agency in 2007;

The book Current ASEAN cooperation and connectivity and the participation of

Vietnam by Nguyen Hoang Giap, Nguyen Huu Cat and Nguyen Thi Que, published

by the Political Theory Publishing House in 2008; The book on the History of

Vietnam - Singapore relations (1965-2005) by Pham Thi Ngoc Thu, published by Ho

Chi Minh City Publishing House in 2009; Master thesis in international relations of

Chhouet Sopheak (Cambodia) themed Cambodia – Vietnam cooperation since 1993, completed in July 2009; The 2010 Ministerial study Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN

from 1995 until present: Achievements, related issues and prospects by the Institute

of International Relations (Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Public

Administration); The book on Vietnam in the process of integrating into ASEAN by

Nguyen Van Thien and Nguyen Cong Hai published by the People’s Army

Publishing House in 2011; The book on the history of the special Vietnam-Laos,

Laos-Vietnam relationships (1930 -2007) by the Hanoi National Political Publishing

House, published in 2011

 Study of cooperation on education and training between Vietnam and ASEAN:

+ Reference: Guideline on international relations in education and training ofthe Department of International Relations (Ministry of Education and Training)published by the Education Publishing House in 1996; This book was edited andamended in 2002 by the Department of International Relations - Ministry ofEducation and Training;

+ Conference keynotes: The study on Educational Cooperation between

Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries in the current period by Dr NghiemDinh Vy and Dr Tung Cheng in the Today - Tomorrow ASEAN conferenceyearbook (September 1997); The Workshop on Developing ASEAN towards asustainable, equitable and cooperative community of developing countries included

the following article: Strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation in human

resources training for ASEAN by Dr Nguyen Tho Vuong, Current status and prospects of human resource development in ASEAN countries by Dr Truong Thi

Thuy Hang; Speeches written about cooperation on education and training betweenVietnam and ASEAN within the scope of the seminar on Vietnam - ASEAN

Integration prior to the beginning of XXI century, including: "5 years backward

looking on Vietnam – ASEAN educational cooperation"by Tran Van Nhung and

Nguyen Van Khoi, the presentation on The cooperation on education and training

within ASEAN (mainly higher education and training) by Dr Mai Ngoc Chu; 2nd

workshop on Connecting ASEAN by the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies

includes a presentation on Typical policies of ASEAN countries on the development of

education and human resources in the first decade of the twenty-first century by a

group of authors: Dr Phan Van Kha, Vuong Thanh Huong and Le Hong Quang; the

Scientific Conference on Looking backwards and forwards the role of Vietnam in

ASEAN had a presentation on Some thoughts about Vietnamese education and regional integration strategy in the twenty-first century from the experience of some countries in Southeast Asia by Phan Thi Hong Xuan The Vietnam - ASEAN: 10 years

of integration and development Seminar posted a speech on the topic ASEAN Educational Cooperation – a potential and prosperous area by Le Thi Ngoc Dung.

+ Master in Science and History thesis of Nguyen Thi Huyen Nga, completed

in 2008 at the University of Vinh on The educational status in the Democratic

Republic of Laos (1986-2007) and the role of Vietnam; Doctoral dissertation on The cooperation between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao people's Revolutionary Party on staff training in the political system from 1986 to 2006 by

Duong Thi Hue for her PhD.in History, completed in 2011; Master in International

Relations thesis on The Laos - Vietnam cooperation on culture - education from 1975

to 2010 by Xayasane Bounsavang (PDR), completed in 2011.

 The scientific research projects that mention policy on education and training

by the Party and the State:

Education and training in the reform period: policy, implementation and evaluation by the Central Commission on Science and Education published by the

National Political Publishing House in 2002; Vietnam Education on the threshold of

the XXI century by Pham Minh Hac, published by the National Political Publishing

House in 2002; The article Education and training development or industrialization

and modernization of the country written by the Minister of Education and Training

Nguyen Minh Hien posted on the Communist Review issue no.22 (November

-2005); The 2009 ministerial project on Neighbouring policy of Vietnam from 1991 to

present by the Institute of International Relations (HCM National Academy of

Politics and Public Administration); doctoral dissertation on the Foreign Policy of the

Communist Party of Vietnam for Southeast Asia from 1995 to 2006 by Nguyen Thi

Hoan, completed in February 2011; doctoral dissertation on The cooperation between

the Vietnamese Communist Party and the Lao people's Revolutionary Party on staff

training in the political system from 1986 to 2006 by Duong Thi Hue, completed in

2011

 Although there have been many scientific research works on the generalcooperation between Vietnam and other ASEAN countries and on somespecific areas of cooperation, there has not been any in-depth, systematicproject on the Party’s policy and guidance on education and trainingcooperation between Vietnam and ASEAN from 1995 to 2010

CHAPTER 1

PARTY’S VIEWPOINTS AND GUIDANCE ON

COOPERATION ON EDUCATION AND TRAINING WITH

ASEAN COUNTRIES (1995 - 2001)

COOPERATION BETWEEN VIETNAM AND ASEAN COUNTRIES

1.1.1 Regional and world factors

The end of 20th century saw the development of science and technology as themain productive force National priority is placed on educational development, thusenhancing regional and international cooperation is an important measure against therisk of significant lag in culture and science For developing countries like Vietnam,this is of significant importance, playing a key role in the social progress anddevelopment

Globalization is an inevitable trend that promotes peace and cooperation fordevelopment The financial crisis left some ASEAN countries with seriousconsequences, affecting the process of cooperation on education and training betweenVietnam and other ASEAN countries

The realization of ASEAN 10 initiatives, which are striving for regional peaceand stability, maintaining national identity and unity, and upholding regional self-improvement spirit, has opened up a new era of cooperation between countries in theAssociation

1.1.2 ASEAN in promoting educational cooperation

In Southeast Asia, there are two educational institutions simultaneouslyoperating in cooperation activities, which are: the South East Asian Ministers ofEducation Organization (SEAMEO) and the ASEAN Sub-Committee on Education(ASCOE)

SEAMEO is operated by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Council(SEAMEC) SEAMEO has one Secretariat abbreviated as SEAMES who assists theCouncil headquartered in Bangkok (Thailand) SEAMES Director is an officialselected by the Board who is the citizen of a member country He shall be in officefor a 3 year term.

In addition, the ASEAN University Network (AUN) under the supervision ofASEAN comprises of leading universities in ASEAN member countries AUN isresponsible for promoting cooperation through the exchange of students, scientificleaders and human resources between the participating countries

In ASEAN, the ASEAN Sub-Committee on Education (ASCOE) is structuredwithin the Commission on Social Development of ASEAN (COSD) ASCOE is incharge of cooperation activitites on education and training, below ASCOE arevarious groups of educational experts in ASEAN

A number of ASEAN declarations and documents have mentioned in detail theeducational cooperation in ASEAN, especially cooperation to improve human

resources such as the Hanoi Declaration (1998), or the Hanoi Action Plan (1998).

1.1.3 The national requirement of human resources development

The process of reform within the country has obtained many greatachievements Besides such advantages, the current challenges faced by Vietnammake task of promoting regional and world cooperation on education and trainingever more important

After the collapse of socialist regime in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe,cooperation on education and training between Vietnam and these countries fellsharply The learning and exchange sharing on education between regional and globalcountries is the general trend of the process of globalization in educationdevelopment Therefore, expanding and strengthening cooperation with regionalcountries is an objective requirement for Vietnam

1.2 PARTY'S POLICIES ON EDUCATION AND TRAINING

COOPERATION WITH ASEAN COUNTRIES DURING 1995 – 2001 1.2.1 Party’s policy for the accession to ASEAN (1986 – 1995)

In the late 1980s, there were rapid and complex developments in the worldsituation that changed the basis of global context Since the 1970s to the mid 1980s,Vietnam faced severe socio-economic crisis within the country Given majordifficulties and challenges resulted from the world and domestic situation, the Partyproposed policy to expand external relations with ASEAN countries, thusaccelerating the accession of Vietnam to ASEAN This is expressed through variousdocuments of the Party: Resolution on the 6th National Party Congress (December1986), Resolution 13 by the Politburo (May 1988), Resolutions on the 6th and 8thPlenums (Term 6), Resolution on the 7th Party Congress, and the 3rd Plenumcongress term 7 in June 1992

Following the Party’s policy, in September 1994, Prime Minister Vo Van Kietannounced the formation of ASEAN Department (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) tocoordinate activities between Vietnam and ASEAN The accession ceremony ofVietnam to ASEAN was held on 28 July1995 it Brunei

1.2.2 Party’s Policy and Guidance on education and training cooperation

with ASEAN countries (1996-2001)

The 8th National Party Congress (1996) set out specific orientations in theforeign relations with ASEAN as well as identifying education and training as the topnational priority along with science and technology

To further specify the Resolution of the 8th Party Coongress, the Central

Committee term 8 in the 2nd Plenum issued the Resolution no.2 on “strategic

orientation for education and training development in the period of industrialization and modernization and mission until 2020” in December 1996.

In June 1999, the Ministry of Education and Training developed and submittedthe Project to expand and improve the effectiveness of international relations on

education and training until 2010 to the Prime Minister for consideration This projectspecified the key measures to enhance cooperation on education and training withother regional and international countries.

1.3 THE PROCESS OF COOPERATION ON EDUCATION AND

TRAINING WITH ASEAN COUNTRIES

1.3.1 Vietnam – ASEAN Multilateral Cooperation

Given changes in the world situation and the need for education cooperationwith ASEAN countries, the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam attachesgreat importance to expanding partnerships with countries in Southeast Asia Itofficially joined the South East Asian Minister of Education Organization(SEAMEO) in February 1992 On 28 March 1992, the Ministry announced its

decision regarding the establishment of the Executive Board overseeing cooperation

activities with SEAMEO.

After Vietnam became the official member of ASEAN (July 1995), theVietnamese Ministry of Education and Training also joined the ASEAN Sub-Committee on Education Vietnam fulfilled all of its obligations, commitments andresponsibilities as a member country, thus positively and proactively proposinginitiatives to promote regional cooperation on the basis of consensus, and non-interference in the internal affairs of each other

1.3.2 Bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and ASEAN countries on

education and training

1.3.2.1 Education cooperation between Vietnam and other CLM countries

 Cooperation with Cambodia

Cambodian government considered Vietnam as a reliable training center forCambodian students As requested by Cambodia, the number of students attendingVietnamese school tends to increase every year

In 1994, Vietnam and Cambodia signed the Agreement on training Cambodianofficials in Vietnam The two governments also agreed that this Agreement would be

amended annually to account for the changes in each country’s situation AnotherAgreement on Cambodian personnel training in Vietnam was signed on 15 June

1999, setting an important standard for training criteria used in full time trainingcourse for Cambodian students in Vietnam

Following the Agreement, Vietnam receives approximately 100 Cambodianstudents on average annually The accomodation conditions for Cambodian studentsalso improve every year

 Cooperation with Laos

Education and training is identified as a strategic area for cooperation, asymbol of the special friendship by the two Parties, two States and thus it is givenpriority It is also one of the most successful areas for cooperation

To further develop and improve the quality of human resources, since 1992,the Ministry of Education and Training of the two countries have agreed to onlyfocus on training Laos’s students in undergraduate and postgraduate education,especially in the key areas on economics and science – technology, while excludingapplications from Laos’s students for secondary and tertiary education With thispolicy, Vietnam has given Laos a significant source of funding and comprehensivesupport in the area of education and training

Since 1997, due to the difficult socio-economic situation in both countries,along with the accession of Laos into ASEAN as the 8th member, there was asignificant increase in the number of students studying in other countries such asThailand, Singapore, and the Philippines etc Consequently, the number of Laostudents attending Vietnam schools has declined However, on the basis of theachievements obtained from comprehensive cooperation between the two countriesand our special friendship, Vietnam is still considered by the Laos government as themost reliable training centre and Lao government hopes to receive continuousassistance from Vietnam Nevertheless, the number of Lao students applying forVietnamese schools and wishing to study continues to rise and there is also a rapidincrease in the number of Laos’s students studying in Vietnam