Why were two vice principals of Dong Do University arrested?

On October 26, the Ministry of Public Security announced that, regarding the case of "Forgery in work" at Dong Do University, the Ministry of Public Security's Security Investigation Agency issued a Decision to prosecute the accused, issued an Order to arrest the accused for temporary detention, and a Search Order for the residence and workplace for the crime of "Forgery in work" with 2 Vice Principals of the school including:

Defendant Tran Kim Oanh, born in 1978; registered permanent residence: Vinh Tuy ward, Hai Ba Trung district, Hanoi; residence: Mai Dong ward, Hoang Mai district, Hanoi.

Defendant Le Ngoc Ha, born in 1978; registered permanent residence: Quang Trung ward, Ha Dong district, Hanoi; residence: Cu Khe commune, Thanh Oai district, Hanoi.

On the same day, after receiving the approval decision of the Supreme People's Procuracy, the Investigation Security Agency - Ministry of Public Security executed the Arrest Warrant for temporary detention, and the Search Warrant for the residence and workplace of Tran Kim Oanh and Le Ngoc Ha.

Before the arrest of two Vice Principals of Dong Do University, on July 19, the Ministry of Public Security's Security Investigation Agency issued a decision to prosecute the case of "Forgery in work" occurring at Dong Do University.

On July 30, the Ministry of Public Security's Security Investigation Agency issued a Decision to prosecute the accused, an Order to arrest the accused for temporary detention, an Order prohibiting leaving the place of residence, and an Order to search the residence and workplace of Duong Van Hoa (born in 1983, residing in Thanh Ha Cienco 5 Urban Area, Cu Khe Commune, Thanh Oai District, Hanoi City), the Principal of Dong Do University, and 3 other officials of the school for the crime of "Forgery in work" as prescribed in Article 359 of the 2015 Penal Code.

Then, on August 20, the Security Investigation Agency, Ministry of Public Security issued a wanted notice for the accused Tran Khac Hung, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director of the Institute of Continuing Education of Dong Do University, with the crime of "Forgery in work".

This case was investigated after the police received information that some key officials of Dong Do University colluded with outside organizations to grant 2 degrees in English Language to students who did not attend. These documents were used by students to get salary increases, promotions, and recruitment exams.

During the investigation, the Ministry of Public Security determined that Dong Do University had been recruiting and organizing training for a second degree in English since 2016. Seeing that many people needed a foreign language degree to complete their personnel records, in 2018, the school joined forces with about 200 short-term training centers to recruit students to share the profits.

This facility allows students to skip classes, take no entrance or exit exams. The accelerated diploma courses do not announce enrollment, do not establish an examination board, and do not approve the list of students and invigilators. In some cases, the application is inserted into the list of previously attended classes.

According to the defendants’ statements, Dong Do University organized entrance exams, final exams of 25 subjects and graduation exams for students in just 1-2 days. Students taking the exam were given exam papers and answers to copy on the spot. The cost through “brokers” ranged from 50 to 150 million VND/person.

In particular, Principal Duong Van Hoa directed Deputy Head of Training and Student Management Tran Ngoc Quang to sign transcripts for students so that they can graduate 3-6 months after submitting their application.

After the leaders of Dong Do University were arrested, a representative of the Ministry of Education and Training said that the defendants recruited students and issued degrees in two English Language majors against regulations. In 2018 alone, Mr. Duong Van Hoa recognized the graduation and issued degrees to hundreds of students studying this major.

Regarding the origin of the diploma blanks, the representative of the Ministry of Education and Training affirmed that this agency only supplies the diploma blanks to the school. Printing information on the diploma and then issuing it is the school's responsibility.

Up to now, the authorities have determined that the people using the second degree granted in violation of the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training are mainly officials holding key positions who are studying for a master's degree or doctoral degree to improve their qualifications.

The case related to violations at Dong Do University is being further investigated by the Ministry of Public Security./.