The University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) places emphasis on developing transparent and democratic governance mechanisms that involve different groups within the university community. In 2025, UEH elected members of the University Council for the 2025–2030 term and publicly disclosed the membership list recognized by the competent authority. This included representatives of academic and administrative staff among the elected members, and a student representative serving as an ex officio member. At the end of 2025, amid adjustments to its governance model, UEH announced the establishment of the Development Strategy Council to advise the President, marking a further transition in the University’s strategic planning mechanisms.
Building on the governance mechanisms implemented in previous years, activities in 2025 focused on four areas:
- Implementing regulations on representative membership and the election of University Council members.
- Organizing elections, completing membership arrangements for the new term, and publicly disclosing the membership list.
- Maintaining the operation of the University Council and continuity of regulations during the transition period.
- Establishing the Development Strategy Council at the end of the year to maintain consultation from multiple perspectives within the new governance model.
Implementing Regulations on Representation in University Governance
Legal Basis for Electing Representatives of Academic Staff, Public Employees and Other Employees
Article 18 of the Law on Higher Education, as amended by Clause 13, Article 1 of Law No. 34/2018/QH14, stipulates the powers of public university councils in relation to strategy, organization, education and finance. Point a, Clause 3 specifies that membership includes “representatives of the university’s academic staff, public employees and other employees elected by the university’s congress of delegates.”
The same provision requires a Youth Union representative who is a student to serve on the Council. This provides the legal basis for implementing representative mechanisms in university governance.
Figure. Legal provisions on the powers of university councils and the election of representative groups.
Source: National Assembly, Law No. 34/2018/QH14, Clause 13, Article 1 amending Article 18; Official Gazette Nos. 1135 + 1136 dated 22 December 2018, pp. 78–79.
The Regulations issued under Resolution No. 30/NQ-ĐHKT-HĐĐH dated 10 November 2023 define the University Council as a governing body. Article 20, Clause 3 distinguishes between ex officio and elected members, including representatives of academic staff, public employees and other employees. Sections 1.5 and 1.7 of Appendix 1 set out the procedures for electing delegates at unit level and electing Council members.
Source: UEH Regulations on Organization and Operation, Article 20; Appendix 1, Sections 1.5 and 1.7.
Organizing Elections and Publicly Disclosing Council Membership in 2025
* Congress of Public Employee and Employee Delegates on 7 January 2025
On 7 January 2025, UEH held a congress of public employee and employee delegates attended by 470 delegates, comprising ex officio delegates and delegates elected by individual units. The congress elected one additional member from outside UEH to the Council for the 2020–2025 term.
This activity demonstrates the participation of public employee and employee delegates in voting to complete the Council’s external membership.
Figure. UEH public employees and other employees vote to elect an additional external member to the University Council.
Source: UEH Congress of Public Employee and Employee Delegates 2024 and Election of an Additional University Council Member for the 2020–2025 Term, 8 January 2025.
* Election of the University Council for the 2025–2030 Term
On the afternoon of 25 July 2025, the UEH plenary conference of public employees and other employees elected University Council members for the new term. As part of the same programme, UEH introduced candidates for Council Chairperson and held the first meeting of the Council for the 2025–2030 term to elect its Chairperson.
Figure. The UEH community elects University Council members in 2025.
Source: The UEH Community Elects University Council Members at the UEH Plenary Conference of Public Employees and Other Employees 2025, 25 July 2025.
Figure. The University Council for the 2025–2030 term holds its first meeting to elect the Chairperson.
Source: First Meeting of the University Council for the 2025–2030 Term to Elect the Council Chairperson within the UEH Plenary Conference of Public Employees and Other Employees 2025, 25 July 2025.
* Public Disclosure of Representative Groups on the Council
On 19 August 2025, UEH announced a 27-member Council pursuant to Decision No. 2318/QĐ-BGDĐT dated 15 August 2025. The membership list distinguishes between ex officio and elected members.
The elected members include seven representatives of academic staff and seven representatives of public employees. The ex officio members include student Huỳnh Văn Sỹ, class AR001, Cohort 50, serving as the Youth Union representative who is a student.
Figure. The publicly disclosed list identifies representative groups and membership status on the University Council for the 2025–2030 term.
Source: Publicly Disclosed List Identifying Representative Groups and Membership Status on the University Council for the 2025–2030 Term pursuant to Decision No. 2318/QĐ-BGDĐT, published on 19 August 2025.
* Public Employee Representation on the University Council
The University Council membership list for the 2025–2030 term identifies Mr. Lê Đồng Dư, Standing Deputy Chief of Office, as an elected member representing public employees. UEH’s current public personnel page lists him among principal specialists, providing further information on his administrative role.
Source: Membership list accompanying Decision No. 2318/QĐ-BGDĐT dated 15 August 2025 on the UEH Portal; UEH principal specialist directory and individual staff profile.
* Student Representation on the University Council
Under Article 20, Clause 3, Point b of the UEH Regulations on Organization and Operation, a representative of the Youth Union Executive Committee who is a student serves on the Council as an ex officio member. The membership list for the 2025–2030 term identifies student Huỳnh Văn Sỹ, class AR001, Cohort 50, as holding this position.
Source: Publicly Disclosed List Identifying Representative Groups and Membership Status on the University Council for the 2025–2030 Term pursuant to Decision No. 2318/QĐ-BGDĐT, published on 19 August 2025.
Maintaining Council Operations and Governance Regulations
* Second Meeting of the Council for the 2025–2030 Term
On 20 August 2025, the Council held its second meeting, formally presenting the decisions recognizing the Council and its Chairperson and completing organizational arrangements. The Council agreed to continue applying regulations from the previous term until replacement documents were issued, including the Regulations on Organization and Operation and the Regulations on the Implementation of Grassroots Democracy.
Figure. The Council for the new term maintains its operations and continuity of governance regulations.
Source: Second Meeting of the University Council of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City for the 2025–2030 Term: Agreement on Organizational Arrangements and Implementation of Strategic Projects, 21 August 2025.
Updates to the Governance Model at the End of 2025
On 25 December 2025, UEH announced the establishment of the Development Strategy Council following the discontinuation of the University Council. Established by decision of the President, the new Council comprises 15 members and provides advice on development directions, human resources, education, science and technology, and strategic matters. It is an advisory body and should be distinguished from the previously elected University Council.
Amid adjustments to the university governance model, with university councils discontinued under Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in education and training development, the establishment of the Development Strategy Council of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH Strategy Council) affirms the University’s commitment to maintaining and improving the quality of strategic planning and decision-making through independent, multidimensional and in-depth consultation.
Figure. UEH announces the Development Strategy Council on 25 December 2025.
Source: Official Announcement of the Decision Establishing the UEH Development Strategy Council, 25 December 2025.
Conclusion
Compared with the 2024 source documenting the completion of student representation arrangements, the 2025 sources record three activities relating to the University Council: the election of an additional external member on 7 January, the election of the Council for the new term on 25 July, and the meeting to complete organizational arrangements on 20 August. By the end of the year, UEH had announced the Development Strategy Council.
The evidence therefore needs to distinguish between two phases: representative participation in the University Council and the strategic consultation mechanism introduced at the end of the year. This transition reflects adjustments to governance; the establishment of the Strategy Council does not, in itself, replace evidence of elected representation under indicator 16.2.1.