VietNamNet Bridge – New norms for professor and associate professor titles were approved by the National Academic Title Council.

The norms include the standards of scientific articles, books for university curriculum, scientific research work, foreign language levels and post-university standards.

Under the norms, those holding professor and associate professor titles must be able to speak a foreign language fluently and use English well enough to converse.

The norms will apply from the beginning of 2011.

Previously the norms required professor title holders to use either English, Russian, French, Chinese or German, and associate professor title holders to know a foreign language.

To ensure fair and precise decisions three people, instead of two, will assess the records of applicants for the titles.

To raise qualification levels and international integration when examining work, the council at different levels can invite prestigious overseas Vietnamese professors and foreign experts to help assess work.

The council can also decide to assess the records of domestic and international scientists, including Vietnamese living abroad and foreigners making an outstanding scientific contribution to Viet Nam and the world.

Vietnamese living abroad and foreigners appointed as professors at prestigious schools abroad can be made professor or associate professor in Viet Nam.

By VietNamNet/Viet Nam News