Vietnam: How many levels of quality assessment are there for higher education programs?

How many levels of quality assessment are there for higher education programs in Vietnam?

According to Article 4 of the Regulations on quality assessment standards for higher education programs issued together with Circular 04/2016/TT-BGDDT, the quality assessment scale for higher education programs is as follows:

- Assessment of each criterion in each standard shall be subject to 7-level scale, including:

+ Level 1: Absolutely incompliant. Immediate corrective actions should be taken;

+ Level 2: Incompliant. Corrective actions need to be taken;

+ Level 3: Not fully compliant. Minor corrective actions should be taken to become compliant;

+ Level 4: Compliant;

+ Level 5: More compliant than expected;

+ Level 6: Well compliant;

-+ Level 7: Perfectly compliant.

- Any criteria that fall into level 1 through level 3 are considered “Not Satisfied” while they are deemed “Satisfied” if falling into level 4 through level 7.

What is the quality assessment scale for higher education programs in Vietnam? (Image from the Internet)

Which quality assessment methods can higher education institutions in Vietnam choose for their education programs?

Under Clause 2, Article 18 of the Regulations on quality assessment standards for higher education programs issued together with Circular 04/2016/TT-BGDDT, higher education institutions can choose one or some of the following assessment methods depending on their specific education programs:

- The standards adopted by regional or international prestigious organizations specializing in education quality assessment and inspection and those that have qualified for the List of international education quality inspection organizations accredited in Vietnam, announced by the Ministry of Education and Training;  

- The quality assessment standards for specific education programs adopted by the Minister of Education and Training;

- The standards issued in Circular 04/2016/TT-BGDDT.

What is the quality assessment of higher education programs in Vietnam?

According to Clause 7, Article 2 of the Regulations on quality assessment standards for higher education programs issued together with Circular 04/2016/TT-BGDDT, the quality assessment of higher education programs is defined as follows:

Quality assessment of higher education programs refers to data collection and processing, giving of opinions based on assessment standards for all of the activities related to an education program in a higher education institution including:

+ objectives and graduation requirements;

+ program description; its curriculum structure and contents;

+ learning and teaching approaches;

+ assessment of students’ learning outcomes;

+ staff of lecturers or academics;

+ education-related employees;

+ students and support given to students;

+ education-related facilities or equipment;

+ improvement of post-graduation quality and outcomes

How many quality assessment standards for higher education programs are there in Vietnam?

According to Chapter 2 of the Regulations on quality assessment standards for higher education programs issued together with Circular 04/2016/TT-BGDDT, there are 11 quality assessment standards for higher education programs as follows:

Standard 1: Objectives and graduation requirements

Standard 2: Program summary

Standard 3: Curriculum structure and contents

Standard 4: Teaching and learning approaches

Standard 5: Assessment of students’ learning outcomes

Standard 6: Staff of lecturers and academics

Standard 7: Administrative staff

Standard 8: Students and supports given to students

Standard 9: Facilities and equipment

Standard 10: Quality improvement

Standard 11: Final outcomes

What is the purpose of issuing quality assessment standards for higher education programs in Vietnam?

According to Article 3 of the Regulations on quality assessment standards for higher education programs issued together with Circular 04/2016/TT-BGDDT, the purpose of issuing quality assessment standards for higher education programs in Vietnam is as follows:

- Higher education institutions shall rely on such standards to assess activities relating to education programs on their own initiative to continuously improve their education quality and to address practical conditions of education quality of specific education programs to competent authorities and society.  

- Education quality assessment organizations shall utilize such standards to assess and grant or deny granting accreditation of conformity with education quality standards for education programs.

- Other organizations or individuals shall, based on such standards, give their opinions, assess and participate in public consultations on education programs designed by higher education institutions in which they are interested.