Many adjustments expected in quality assessment of higher education institutions

The draft contains important adjustments, aiming to update international standards, reduce administrative burdens for schools and promote a culture of genuine quality assurance.

Firstly, the draft updates the set of assessment standards according to AUN-QA 3.0. Accordingly, it reduces from 25 standards and 111 criteria to 15 standards and 60 criteria, divided into 3 groups: strategy - system - results.

This streamlining helps eliminate duplication, focusing on core requirements such as: vision, mission, development strategy, financial and human resource management, innovation, scientific research, labor market engagement and community service.

Second, innovate the assessment method. Instead of the previous 7-level scale, the draft applies 2 assessment levels: pass and fail. In addition, add a “conditional pass” mechanism: educational institutions can still be recognized if they meet most of the criteria and have a specific improvement plan within a certain period of time.

In particular, the draft proposes two options for consultation; including an option to identify a number of conditional criteria - core criteria that must be met, to ensure that schools focus on system foundations and accountability to be compatible with the provisions of Circular No. 04/2025/TT-BGDDT on accreditation of training programs at all levels of higher education.

Third, integrate the criteria assessment instructions and forms into part of the Circular in the form of attached appendices.

Unlike the previous draft, which required the issuance of separate documents for separate guidance, this draft integrates all criteria assessment guidelines and 15 forms into appendices attached to the Circular. This helps the document to be clearer in terms of law, creates consistency in application, and is convenient for both educational institutions and accreditation organizations.

Fourth, add specific regulations and increase transparency. The draft has separate regulations for schools under the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of National Defense to ensure information confidentiality requirements. At the same time, other institutions must publicly disclose self-assessment reports and external assessment reports, contributing to increasing transparency and accountability to society.

Fifth, promote the application of technology and digital transformation. The new standards and criteria emphasize the internal quality assurance (IQA) system, information management and continuous quality improvement. Educational institutions need to effectively operate data management tools and measure outputs, thereby better serving the monitoring, evaluation and improvement of quality.

Finally, clearly define responsibilities and post-assessment. The draft adds cases of revocation of accreditation certificates, and clarifies the responsibilities of educational institutions, accreditation organizations and management agencies in post-assessment monitoring.

With the above new points, the draft Circular aims to reduce workload - streamline - modernize - integrate, while encouraging schools to proactively improve continuously, be more transparent and approach international standards. This is an important step in the roadmap for innovation in higher education quality management in the period 2025-2030.

See draft details HERE.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/du-kien-nhieu-dieu-chinh-trong-kiem-dinh-chat-luong-co-so-giao-duc-dai-hoc-post746795.html