The new academic year for Lao universities begins at the end of next month, following the announcement of the results of the university entrance exam, which took place in July this year.
More than 21,000 of the total 39,000 graduates from upper secondary schools across the country took part in the exam, but less than half of those students will be accepted to study at the four main universities in Laos. The rest will have to apply to other public and private colleges and vocational schools in Laos, or consider overseas study.
The four main universities in Laos are the National University of Laos (NUOL), Champassak University, Souphanouvong University and Savannakhet University.
Vice President of the NUOL Assoc Prof. Dr Phetsamone Khounsavath told Vientiane Times on Thursday that the university has completed its score checking process and the results will be announced to the public soon.
The NUOL will accept only 7,353 students who passed the entrance exam this year, of which 35 will recieve government scholarships.
Champassak University will accept only 585 students, of which 145 will recieve government scholarships. Souphanouvong University in Luang Prabang province will accept only 1,070 students, of whom 229 will recieve government support. Savannakhet University will accept only 950 students, of whom 108 will get government scholarships.
The entrance exam took place at the four universities in July this year, with students from six northern provinces taking the exam at Souphanouvong University, Luang Prabang. Students from the provinces of Borikhamxay, Khammuan and Savannakhet sat the exam at Savannakhet University, while the students from the four southern-most provinces took the exam at Champassak University.
The students from the government's quota will receive monthly financial support of about 60,000 kip per month, while those who passed the entrance exam will be responsible for their own study fee of about 1 million kip per year. The NUOL will not offer special courses this year, as those subjects which were previously offered will be integrated into the university curriculum and available to all regular students.
Last year, about 10,000 new students were admitted to the NUOL, more than half of whom studied the special courses. “This year, we will have a smaller number of new students studying at our university, as we want to improve the quality of our students before their graduation,” Prof Dr Phetsamone said, adding that the university also plans to upgrade its curricula to international standards to produce a more highly skilled workforce to guide the nation's future development.
Students in Laos will now study for four years to complete their degrees, after the government extended the duration of the formal education system from 11 to 12 years. Prior to this, it took all university students at least five years to finish their university degrees, as they had to study pre-entry courses before undertaking their majors.
The general subjects which were previously taught at pre-university level are now taught in the seventh grade of secondary school, so upper secondary school graduates can continue directly on towards their majors. But it may still take some students five years to finish their degree if they struggle with their majors, particularly those who study foreign languages.
