Circular No. 04/2025/TT-BGDĐT stipulates on the quality assessment of training programs at various levels in higher education.

CIRCULAR

Regulations on quality assessment of training programs at various levels of higher education

levels of higher education 

Pursuant to the Education Law dated June 14, 2019;

Pursuant to the Law Greplacing the higher education bachelor's degree training regulation issued on June 18, 2012;

Pursuant to the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Higher Education Law dated November 19, 2018; Ghigher education on November 19, 2018;

Pursuant to Decree No. 86/2022/NĐ-CP dated October 24, 2022 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Education and Training;

Pursuant to Decree No. 99/2019/NĐ-CP dated December 30, 2019 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Higher Education Law;

At the proposal of the Director of the Quality Management Department;

The Minister of Education and Training issues this Circular on regulations regarding the quality assessment of training programs at various levels of higher education, including: quality assessment standards for training programs; procedures for conducting assessments and cycles of quality assessment for training programs.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

1. This Circular applies to higher education institutions, schools under state agencies, political organizations, socio-political organizations, and people's armed forces that have the mission to train at various levels of higher education; research institutes and institutes established by the Prime Minister in accordance with the Science and Technology Law, which are permitted to offer doctoral programs (hereinafter referred to as training institutions);

2. This Circular applies to:

2. Domestic educational quality assessment organizations established, permitted to be established, and allowed to operate by the Minister of Education and Training (hereinafter referred to as domestic educational quality assessment organizations);

3. Other organizations and individuals related to the activities of assessing the quality of higher education.

c) Other organizations and individuals related to the activities of assessing the quality of higher education.

3. For training programs evaluated according to the quality assessment standards for teacher training programs at the college level as stipulated in Circular No. 02/2020/TT-BGDĐT dated February 05, 2020 issued by the Minister of Education and Training, the evaluation and recognition shall be carried out in accordance with Chapters III, IV, and V of this Circular.

4. In cases where a training institution chooses an overseas educational quality assessment organization recognized by the Ministry of Education and Training to operate in Vietnam, the quality assessment standards for training programs, procedures, and cycles of quality assessment for training programs shall be applied based on the registration documents.

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

In this Circular, certain terms are understood as follows:

1. Training Program A training program is a system of educational and training activities designed and organized to achieve specific training objectives, aiming to award a higher education diploma to students. A training program includes goals, knowledge volume, structure, content, methods, and forms of assessment for courses, majors, training levels, and output standards consistent with the National Qualifications Framework of Vietnam.

2. Quality of a training program is the fulfillment of the program's objectives and output standards at a specific level, meeting the requirements set forth in the Higher Education Law, the National Qualifications Framework of Vietnam, and relevant regulations concerning fields and groups of fields of study, suitable for the needs of human resource development for economic and social development at both local and national levels.

3. Quality assessment standards for training programs are the requirements regarding content and conditions that a training program must meet to be recognized as meeting the quality education standards. Each standard has multiple criteria and at least one conditional criterion.

4. Quality assessment criteria for training programs are the levels of requirements and conditions that need to be achieved in specific aspects of each standard.

5. Conditional criteria are criteria whose evaluation results must be at the "pass" level as prescribed in Point a Clause 2 Article 13 of this Circular, serving as a condition for the training program/standard with conditional criteria to be considered as meeting the quality education standards.

6. Quality assessment of training programs involves collecting and processing information to make judgments about the internal quality assurance system built based on standards, guidelines, and controlling all contents, components, and activities related to the training program of the training institution, including: the goals and output standards of the training program; the structure and content of the training program; teaching and learning activities; assessment of learning outcomes; faculty and researchers (if any); human resources and support services for learners; infrastructure and equipment; outputs and output results.

7. Self-assessment of quality of training programs is the process by which a training institution, based on the quality assessment standards for training programs, reviews and reports on the current status of building and operating the internal quality assurance system regarding issues related to the training program, serving as a basis for adjusting resources and implementation processes to meet the quality education standards.

8. External quality assessment of training programs is the process of surveying and evaluating by educational quality assessment organizations based on the quality assessment standards for training programs to determine the degree to which the training program meets the quality education standards.

9. Quality assessment of training programs is the activity of evaluating and recognizing the degree to which a training program meets the quality assessment standards for training programs.

10. Information is information, data contained in texts, files, documents available, existing in written, printed, electronic form, pictures, drawings, tapes, discs, recordings, audio or other forms. Information is collected from various sources to ensure accuracy and is used to support and illustrate judgments in self-assessment reports and external assessment reports.

11. Evidence are documents, materials, objects, phenomena, witness statements cited to confirm an activity or event serving as a basis for determining the achievement level of a criterion.

12. Comparison is the activity of comparing elements/activities of a training institution/a training program with those of selected other training institutions/training programs to improve quality.

13. The objectives of the training program are general statements describing what graduates may achieve some time after graduation. Training objectives are built based on the needs of stakeholders for the training program and are mainly reflected in the learning outcomes of the learners (exit standards).

14. The training program description is a document used for multiple purposes during the design, implementation, development stages of the training program and provides information about the training program of the training institution. The training program description includes the following main contents: training objectives, exit standards, program structure, matrix showing the contribution of each course to achieving the program's exit standards, summary of the main content of each course, teaching and learning methods, assessment methods for learning outcomes, graduation requirements, date of issuance/revisions of the training program description.

15. Stakeholders of the training institution include internal stakeholders: learners, lecturers, researchers (if any), technicians, staff, leadership and management teams, and other organizations and individuals related to the training institution; external stakeholders: former learners, potential learners, families of learners, employers, professional associations, experts, businesses, partners, sponsors, investors, direct management agencies, state education management agencies, and other related organizations and individuals.

16. Training program standards for a level of higher education are common and minimum requirements for all training programs in fields (groups of fields, areas) at that level; including requirements regarding objectives, exit standards (or output requirements), entry standards (or input requirements), minimum workload, structure and content, teaching methods and assessment of learning outcomes, conditions for implementing the program to ensure training quality.

17. Exit standards of the training program are requirements that learners must meet in terms of qualities and capabilities after completing a training program, including minimum requirements for knowledge, skills, autonomy, and responsibility of learners upon graduation.

18. Educational philosophy is the core perspective guiding educational goals, content, and teaching methods, the roles of lecturers and learners in educational activities.

19. Community refers to objects and partners in training, research, development activities, agencies, organizations, businesses, employers, authorities at various levels, and related parties within the scope of the training institution implementing the training program activities.

20. Serving the community refers to the activities of the training institution aimed at contributing to solving specific community issues, bringing benefits to society and the community.

Article 3. Purpose of using the quality evaluation standards for training programs and utilizing the results of quality assessment for training programs

1. Training institutions use the quality evaluation standards for training programs to build, operate, and develop an internal quality assurance system, guide and control all activities related to training programs; self-assess, ensure, and continuously improve training quality.

2. Quality assessment organizations use the quality evaluation standards for training programs to review self-assessment reports; conduct external assessments, guide the improvement of internal quality assurance systems and operational methods; recognize or not recognize the achievement of educational quality standards for training programs; base on these standards to establish additional criteria, guide the assessment of criteria for training programs with different forms of training and specialized training programs meeting current regulations and stakeholder requirements.

3. Other organizations and individuals have grounds to evaluate and participate in social feedback on the training programs of the training institutions they are interested in.

4. The results of quality assessment for training programs serve as one of the bases for determining the autonomy and accountability of training institutions.

Chapter II

QUALITY EVALUATION STANDARDS

CHAPTER TRAINING PROGRAM

Article 4. Standard 1: Objectives and outcomes of the training program

1. Criterion 1.1: The objectives of the training program are clearly defined, appropriate, and aligned with the mission, vision, and development strategy of the training institution; they comply with the higher education objectives as stipulated in the Higher Education Law.

2. Criterion 1.2: The program outcomes are clearly established; they are consistent with the mission, vision, and strategic goals of the training institution and are disseminated to relevant parties.

3. Criterion 1.3: The program outcomes are compatible with the National Qualifications Framework of Vietnam and the standards for training programs within specific fields, including general and specialized program outcomes.

4. Criterion 1.4: The outcomes of all course components must be consistent and compatible with the published program outcomes.

5. Criterion 1.5: The program outcomes reflect the requirements of relevant parties, particularly external stakeholders.

6. Criterion 1.6: The program outcomes are measured and evaluated at the time of student graduation.

Article 5. Standard 2: Structure and Content of the Training Program

1. Criterion 2.1: The training program description and syllabi of each course component contain sufficient information, are updated, approved, and publicly disclosed for easy access by relevant parties.

2. Criterion 2.2: The structure and content of the training program are designed and developed to ensure that students achieve the program outcomes and have a workload consistent with regulations.

3. Criterion 2.3: The structure and content of the training program are designed and developed based on feedback and needs of relevant parties, particularly external stakeholders.

4. Criterion 2.4: The contribution of each course component towards achieving the program outcomes is clear.

5. Criterion 2.5: The training program has a logical structure, reasonable sequence, flexibility, and integration.

6. Criterion 2.6: The structure and content of the training program clearly demonstrate required, elective, theoretical, practical, experiential, research, core, and supplementary components; allowing students to choose according to their career orientation.

7. Criterion 2.7: The structure and content of the training program are reviewed, evaluated, and improved in quality according to procedures and regulations; ensuring up-to-date relevance to labor market demands.

Article 6. Standard 3: Teaching and Learning Activities

1. Criterion 3.1: The educational philosophy of the training institution is clearly declared, disseminated to relevant parties, and integrated into teaching and learning activities.

2. Criterion 3.2: Teaching and learning activities are designed to be compatible with the program outcomes.

3. Criterion 3.3: Teaching and learning activities promote active learning, encourage learning, develop learning methods and lifelong learning capabilities of students.

4. Criterion 3.4: Teaching and learning activities encourage students to generate new ideas, initiatives, innovations, and entrepreneurial spirit.

5. Criterion 3.5: The teaching and learning process is regularly improved to meet labor market demands and enhance learning, achieving program outcomes.

Article 7. Standard 4: Evaluation of Learning Outcomes

1. Criterion 4.1: Various evaluation methods for learning outcomes are diverse and compatible with the program's graduation standards.

2. Criterion 4.2: There are clear regulations on evaluating learning outcomes, review procedures, which are disseminated to learners and consistently implemented.

3. Criterion 4.3: Standards and evaluation procedures for learning outcomes, recognition of learning outcomes, and graduation assessment are disseminated to learners and consistently implemented.

4. Criterion 4.4: Evaluation methods for learning outcomes are demonstrated through matrices, criteria, levels of assessment, answers, detailed grading scales, evaluation plans, and specific provisions to ensure validity, reliability, and fairness.

5. Criterion 4.5: Evaluation methods for learning outcomes ensure the measurement of the achievement level of each course standard and the program's graduation standard.

6. Criterion 4.6: Evaluation results are promptly fed back to learners to help them improve their study, learning methods, and learning outcomes.

7. Criterion 4.7: The evaluation of learning outcomes and the regulations on evaluating learning outcomes are periodically reviewed and improved to ensure the measurement of the program's graduation standards, meeting the needs of stakeholders.

Article 8. Standard 5: Faculty and Researcher Team

1. Criterion 5.1: A plan to develop the faculty and researcher team participating in the training program is implemented to ensure the quantity and quality required for training, scientific research, and community service.

2. Criterion 5.2: The quantity and quality of the faculty and researcher team meet the requirements of implementing the training program as prescribed; workload of the faculty and researcher team is measured and monitored to improve training quality, scientific research, and community service.

3. Criterion 5.3: The capability of the faculty and researcher team is determined, evaluated, and communicated to relevant parties directly.

4. Criterion 5.4: Faculty and researchers are assigned tasks suitable to their qualifications, capabilities, and experience.

5. Criterion 5.5: Appointment/promotion of faculty and researchers is based on a system of capability assessment, teaching performance, research task completion, and community service.

6. Criterion 5.6: Responsibilities, authorities, and obligations of faculty and researchers are clearly defined according to regulations and disseminated so that all faculty and researchers understand and comply.

7. Criterion 5.7: Training, development, and professional advancement needs of faculty and researchers are systematically identified; training activities are implemented to meet these needs.

8. Criterion 5.8: Management work to evaluate teaching quality, scientific research, and community service of faculty and researchers includes both rewards and recognition, carried out according to specific regulations and procedures.

Article 9. Standard 6: Services Supporting Learners

1. Criterion 6.1: Admissions policies, criteria, and procedures are clearly defined according to the program's requirements; they are publicly announced and updated.

2. Criterion 6.2: The capability of the service support team is clearly defined in job position standards, recruitment criteria, task assignments, and evaluated to ensure suitability with stakeholder needs.

3. Criterion 6.3: Short-term and long-term plans for learner support services (academic and non-academic) are developed and implemented to ensure comprehensive and high-quality support for training, scientific research, and community service.

4. Criterion 6.4: An appropriate training management system is in place to monitor and record learners' progress, learning outcomes, and workload; feedback to learners and remediation activities are timely implemented to help learners improve their studies.

5. Criterion 6.5: Study counseling activities, extracurricular activities, competitions, and other support services are provided to improve learning and enhance employment opportunities for learners.

6. Criterion 6.6: Learner support services are regularly evaluated, benchmarked, and improved in quality.

Article 10. Standard 7: Infrastructure, physical facilities, and equipment

1. Criterion 7.1: Having a system of office rooms, classrooms, and functional rooms with appropriate equipment to implement training programs, support training activities, scientific research, and community service connections.

2. Criterion 7.2: Laboratories, practice rooms, and equipment that meet the requirements of the training program, are updated, and are effectively used to satisfy the needs of students, lecturers, and researchers.

3. Criterion 7.3: Having libraries, digital libraries, and learning materials that are updated to meet the needs of training, scientific research, and advancements in information technology and communication.

4. Criterion 7.4: Having an information technology system, network infrastructure, and computers that are easily accessible and usable to meet the needs of students, lecturers, researchers, management staff, and administrative personnel in teaching, scientific research, community service connections, and administrative management activities.

5. Criterion 7.5: A psychological, social, and natural landscape environment that facilitates training activities, scientific research, and student comfort.

6. Criterion 7.6: Environmental, health, and safety standards are established and implemented with consideration for the specific needs of special groups of students (if any).

7. Criterion 7.7: The capacity of the support team for physical facilities and equipment is determined and evaluated to meet the needs of relevant parties.

8. Criterion 7.8: The quality of physical facilities serving the training program is periodically assessed and improved.

Article 11. Standard 8: Outputs and Output Results

1. Criterion 8.1: Graduation rates, dropout rates, and average graduation times of students are established, monitored, and compared to improve quality.

2. Criterion 8.2: Employment rates including self-employment, entrepreneurship, and further education of graduates are established, monitored, and compared to improve quality.

3. Criterion 8.3: Scientific research activities and creative products, inventions of students, lecturers, and researchers are established, monitored, and compared to improve quality.

4. Criterion 8.4: Data on the extent to which students meet the program's output standards are established and monitored to improve quality.

5. Criterion 8.5: Satisfaction levels of relevant parties are established, monitored, and compared to improve quality.

Chapter III

QUALITY ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES AND CYCLES

Section 1

PROCEDURES, CYCLES, AND EVALUATION METHODS

Article 12. Procedures and cycles

1. Quality assessment procedures for training programs are carried out in four steps:

a) Self-assessment;

b) External assessment;

c) Review of assessment results;

d) Recognition of meeting educational quality standards.

2. Quality assessment for training programs is conducted every five years for programs rated as satisfactory, except as provided in Clause 4 of this Article.

3. For programs rated as conditionally satisfactory, continuous quality improvement must be implemented within a maximum of two years (24 months) to achieve a satisfactory rating.

4. For programs rated satisfactorily in the previous cycle, if they continue to be rated satisfactorily with higher standard and criterion achievement rates than the previous cycle, and the quality improvement results meet the requirements and basically address the weaknesses identified from the previous cycle, then the subsequent quality assessment cycle will be seven years.

Article 13. Evaluation Method

1. Training programs shall be self-evaluated and externally evaluated according to the quality program evaluation standards and criteria set forth in Chapter II of this Circular; among which, the condition criteria include: Criterion 1.3 and Criterion 1.6 under Standard 1; Criterion 2.2 and Criterion 2.4 under Standard 2; Criterion 3.2 under Standard 3; Criterion 4.5 under Standard 4; Criterion 5.2 under Standard 5; Criterion 6.1 under Standard 6; Criterion 7.3 under Standard 7; Criterion 8.2 under Standard 8.

2. Criteria shall be evaluated at two levels as follows:

a) Achieved: A criterion is evaluated at the achieved level when the training institution has a formal approach to ensuring quality, with a system and implementation of clear, strict, consistent activities in accordance with relevant policies/regulations/procedures to meet the requirements of the criterion; there is evidence of continuous improvements.

b) Not achieved: A criterion is evaluated at the not achieved level when the training institution does not have a formal approach to ensuring quality, without a system of relevant policies/regulations/procedures to meet the criterion; or has policies/regulations/procedures but they are not consistently/formally applied to ensure compliance with the criterion's requirements; there is no evidence of quality improvement.

Based on the provisions in points a and b of this clause, the education quality accreditation organization shall provide detailed descriptions of the achieved and not achieved levels for each criterion, and develop guidelines for evaluation to help training institutions understand their current status and improve the quality of their training programs.

3. Standards shall be evaluated at two levels as follows:

a) Achieved: A standard is evaluated at the achieved level when no more than two criteria are evaluated at the not achieved level and the remaining criteria, including the condition criteria, are evaluated at the achieved level.

b) Not achieved: A standard is evaluated at the not achieved level when there is a condition criterion or more than two criteria are evaluated at the not achieved level.

4. Training programs shall be evaluated at three levels as follows:

a) Achieved: A training program is evaluated at the achieved level when all standards are evaluated at the achieved level.

b) Conditionally achieved: A training program is evaluated at the conditionally achieved level when no more than two standards and sixteen criteria are evaluated at the not achieved level. To achieve the achieved level, the training institution must improve its quality within a maximum period of twenty-four months from the date the education quality accreditation organization recognizes the program as conditionally achieved.

c) Not achieved: A training program is evaluated at the not achieved level when it does not meet the requirements specified in points a or b of this clause.

Section 2

SELF-EVALUATION OF TRAINING PROGRAMS

Article 14. Self-Evaluation Process

The process of self-evaluating the quality of training programs shall be carried out through the following steps:

1. Establishing a self-evaluation council (Form 01).

2. Developing a self-evaluation plan (Form 02).

3. Collecting, analyzing, and processing information and evidence (Form 3).

4. Self-evaluating the achievement levels of criteria (Form 04).

5. Writing a self-evaluation report (Forms 05 and 12).

6. Storing and utilizing the self-evaluation report.

7. Implementing activities following completion of the self-evaluation report.

Article 15. Self-Assessment Council

1. The self-assessment council shall consist of an odd number of members, with a minimum of nine members, established by the Rector or Director of the training institution (hereinafter referred to collectively as the Rector) for each training program.

2. The composition of the self-assessment council for the training program includes:

a) The chairman of the council is the Rector or Deputy Rector of the training institution; the vice chairmen are a Deputy Rector and the Head of the specialized unit with the assessed training program, including one vice chairman who also serves as the head of the secretariat; other members include representatives from the school council who are from the training institution, representatives from the scientific and training council; leaders of relevant specialized units and management units; lecturers with experience in organizing training activities, scientific research, and community service within the assessed training program; representatives of students in the assessed training program;

b) The self-assessment council has a secretariat to assist its work, consisting of personnel from the specialized unit responsible for ensuring educational quality, leaders of the unit, lecturers from the assessed training program, and personnel from related units; the head of the secretariat is a vice chairman of the council;

c) Specific tasks of the self-assessment council are assigned to specialized working groups comprising members of the self-assessment council and the secretariat. Each specialized working group consists of at least three people, responsible for one to two criteria, and is led by a member of the self-assessment council (who is not a student representative).

3. The self-assessment council assists the Rector in directing the implementation of self-assessment of the training program according to this Circular. The self-assessment council operates under the principle of democratic centralism, discussing to reach consensus.

4. Tasks of the self-assessment council:

a) Disseminate policies on implementing self-assessment; introduce the self-assessment process; study and exchange experiences in self-assessing training programs and require related units and individuals to cooperate in implementation;

b) Organize the implementation of steps according to the self-assessment process.

5. Tasks of the members of the self-assessment council:

a) The chairman of the council is responsible for the activities of the council and the results of self-assessment; assigns specific tasks to each member, including identifying tasks corresponding to each assessment criterion, start and end times, the person primarily responsible, and those assisting; convenes and chairs meetings of the council; approves the self-assessment plan; directs the process of collecting, processing, analyzing information, evidence, assessing the achievement of each criterion, and writing the self-assessment report; resolves issues arising during the implementation of self-assessment and approves the self-assessment report;

b) The vice chairman of the council fulfills tasks assigned by the chairman; when authorized by the chairman, they have the responsibility to chair the council and be accountable for the delegated tasks;

c) Other members of the council fulfill tasks assigned by the chairman and are accountable for their assigned tasks.

6. Members of the council must undergo training in the procedures for self-assessment of training programs on the following topics: the system for ensuring educational quality; the process and cycle of program quality assessment; guidance on self-assessment of training programs; domestic and international experiences in self-assessment of training programs; skills in reviewing documentation, interviewing, observing, group discussions, surveys, and writing self-assessment reports.

Article 16. Establishing Self-Assessment Plan

1. The self-assessment council shall develop the self-assessment plan, which shall be approved by the Chairman of the self-assessment council and submitted to the Rector or Deputy Rector assigned to oversee the issuance of the self-assessment plan.

2. The self-assessment plan must include the following contents:

a) Purpose; scope of the self-assessment period including information on the results of self-assessing compliance with regulations regarding quality assurance conditions for training programs;

b) Composition of the self-assessment council;

c) Specific tasks of each member of the self-assessment council;

d) Self-assessment tools;

đ) Anticipated resources concerning infrastructure, finance, and the time points at which these resources need to be mobilized during the implementation of self-assessment;

e) Timeline: clearly indicating the necessary timeframe for implementation and the schedule for conducting specific activities during the self-assessment process.

Article 17. Collecting, Analyzing, and Processing Information and Evidence

1. Information and evidence may be collected from the archives of the training institution, specialized units with evaluated training programs, and related units; from survey, investigation, interview, and observation results of the training institution's activities and training programs. Evidence must have clear origins and ensure accuracy.

2. Collected information and evidence are used to assess the levels achieved against each criterion for describing the current status of training program activities.

3. Evidence included in the self-assessment report must be coded, digitized, and convenient for verification, updating, storage, and comparison when necessary.

4. Based on the criteria in the quality assessment standards for training programs, the self-assessment council assigns specific responsibilities to its members for organizing the collection, analysis, and processing of information and evidence, writing criterion evaluation forms before drafting the self-assessment report.

Article 18. Self-Assessment of Criterion Achievement Levels

1. Self-assessment of achievement levels according to each criterion is conducted through criterion evaluation forms, including descriptions, strengths, weaknesses, action plans, and self-assessment of the degree of criterion achievement.

2. The criterion self-assessment form is written by individuals or working groups and must be reviewed by the self-assessment council. Each criterion is assessed using one criterion self-assessment form.

Article 19. Writing the Self-Assessment Report

1. The self-assessment report should be concise, clear, accurate, objective, and fully cover the content of each criterion according to the quality assessment standards for training programs.

2. A draft of the self-assessment report is published internally within the training institution for management staff, lecturers, researchers, employees, students, and other relevant individuals to read and provide feedback for at least ten working days.

3. The self-assessment report is finalized by the self-assessment council based on feedback as stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article, approved by the Chairman of the self-assessment council, and submitted to the Rector or Deputy Rector assigned to oversee the issuance of the self-assessment report.

Article 20. Storing and Using the Self-Assessment Report

1. The training institution stores the self-assessment report and related files, including:

a) Decision establishing the self-assessment council;

b) Self-assessment plan;

c) Approved self-assessment report;

d) Evidence;

đ) Related documents and materials.

2. The retention period for the self-assessment report and all related files is in accordance with the Law on Archives and current regulations.

3. The self-assessment report is made public on the training institution's electronic information website for organizations and individuals interested to refer to. For self-assessment reports containing state secrets or information not to be disclosed according to the law, they are handled in accordance with the law.

Article 21. Implementation of activities after completing the self-assessment report

1. Training institutions shall perform the following tasks:

a) Submit the self-assessment report and related documents to the direct supervisory agency for monitoring and support in implementing improvements and enhancing quality according to the action plans stated in the self-assessment report;

b) Implement quality improvement plans set forth in the self-assessment report to enhance educational quality; review, evaluate, supplement, and adjust the quality improvement plan appropriately;

c) Except for self-assessment reports containing state secrets or information not yet publicly disclosed as prescribed by law, training institutions must update the self-assessment report on their electronic information website; store it at the institution and update it into the Higher Education Quality Assurance and Accreditation Management Software of the Ministry of Education and Training.

2. The direct supervisory agencies of training institutions under the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of National Defense are responsible for updating the list of training programs that have completed the self-assessment report into the Higher Education Quality Assurance and Accreditation Management Software and notify the Ministry of Education and Training (through the Quality Management Department) for overall monitoring.

Section 3

EXTERNAL EVALUATION OUTSIDE THE TRAINING PROGRAM

Article 22. Registration for external evaluation

1. Training institutions shall register for external evaluation of the training program with domestic education quality assurance organizations licensed by the Ministry of Education and Training after announcing the self-assessment report signed and issued by the President or Vice-President of the institution for at least 20 working days. For training programs containing state secrets or information not yet publicly disclosed as prescribed by law, the training institution shall submit the self-assessment report to the direct supervisory agency to report the registration for external evaluation.

2. Based on the validity period recorded on the certificate of meeting quality standards issued to the training program; other legal provisions regarding the accreditation of higher education program levels or the requirements of the national education management agency, the training institution is responsible for preparing the self-assessment report and registering for external evaluation to be considered and recognized as meeting educational quality standards. For training programs of training institutions under the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of National Defense, after self-evaluation, the institution submits the self-assessment report to the direct supervisory agency and reports on the registration for external evaluation.

Article 23. Review of the self-assessment report and request for external evaluation

1. Based on the signed contract with the education quality assurance organization, the training institution submits the self-assessment report and related documents to the education quality assurance organization for review. At the request of the training institution, the education quality assurance organization organizes the review of the self-assessment report. For training programs of training institutions under the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of National Defense, the institution submits the self-assessment report to the direct supervisory agency for review before registering for external evaluation.

2. Within 20 working days from the date the contract takes effect, the education quality assurance organization reviews the self-assessment report (Form 06) and returns the review results to the training institution at one of the following levels:

a) The self-assessment report does not meet the requirements in terms of form and content, the training institution needs to continue improving;

b) The self-assessment report basically meets the requirements in terms of content and form, the training institution needs to complete it before implementing external evaluation;

c) The self-assessment report has met the requirements and can proceed with external evaluation.

3. In case the self-assessment report has met the requirements, the training institution shall issue a document requesting the education quality assurance organization to implement external evaluation.

4. The signing of contracts for reviewing the self-assessment report and external evaluation between the training institution and the education quality assurance organization shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Article 24. Establishment of External Evaluation Teams

1. The Director of the Education Quality Assurance Organization shall decide to establish external evaluation teams ensuring that members of the external evaluation team have no conflict of interest with the training institution. For training institutions under the Ministry of Public Security or the Ministry of National Defense, the list of external evaluation team members shall be introduced by the direct management agency.

2. Number and Composition of External Evaluation Teams: An external evaluation team for a training program must have at least three members; for evaluating two, three, four, five, or six training programs, the number of members in the team must increase by at least two, four, six, or eight members respectively, and ensure that each team does not evaluate more than six training programs. Members of the external evaluation team are education quality assurance evaluators, including:

a) The Team Leader and Deputy Team Leader (if any) must be individuals who are or have been department-level leaders or hold equivalent positions, with experience in developing and implementing training programs, self-assessment activities, and external program evaluations;

b) The Secretary of the external evaluation team is a permanent evaluator of the education quality assurance organization, with experience in conducting external assessment activities;

c) Other members are individuals from training institutions, education quality assurance organizations, state agencies responsible for education and training, vocational associations, or labor employers, capable of reviewing, assessing, and advising on the evaluated training programs;

d) Each external evaluation team for a training program must include at least one member with expertise in the same field or related fields corresponding to the evaluated training program. The selection of other members is decided and the responsibility is borne by the education quality assurance organization based on the current status of its evaluators.

Article 25. Duties and Authorities of Members in External Evaluation Teams

1. Team Leader:

a) Is responsible for drafting the external evaluation plan (Form 07) and submitting it for approval by the Director of the Education Quality Assurance Organization;

b) Organizes the implementation of the external evaluation plan; assigns tasks to members of the external evaluation team;

c) Represents the external evaluation team to inform and discuss with the training institution about the survey results, observations, and recommendations of the external evaluation team;

d) Bears primary responsibility for drafting reports on the research of self-assessment files, survey results at the training institution, and the external evaluation report of the external evaluation team;

đ) Organizes the collection of files, documents, and evidence related to the activities and outcomes of the external evaluation team and transfers them to the education quality assurance organization for storage after the completion of the external evaluation period;

e) Organizes the preparation of files and documents to serve the explanation of complaints or inquiries related to the activities of the external evaluation team;

g) Other duties and authorities as required for external evaluation work.

2. Deputy Team Leader (if any):

a) Acts on behalf of the Team Leader to handle matters and organize the implementation of the external evaluation plan when authorized;

b) Performs tasks assigned by the Team Leader;

3. Secretary:

a) Assists the Team Leader in drafting and organizing the implementation of the external evaluation plan;

b) Checks the use of documents and forms during the external evaluation process according to regulations;

c) Records minutes of team meetings; collaborates with the Team Leader to prepare files and documents to serve the explanation of complaints or inquiries related to the activities of the external evaluation team (if any) and performs tasks assigned by the Team Leader.

4. Other Members: Perform tasks assigned by the Team Leader; bear responsibility and retain opinions on the content they are responsible for; collaborate with the Team Leader and Secretary to explain according to the requirements of complaints or inquiries regarding the evaluation content.

Article 26. Supervisors, Interns

1. A supervisor is a leader or permanent staff member of an educational quality assessment organization authorized by the director of the educational quality assessment organization to perform the task of supervising external evaluation teams to ensure that external evaluation activities comply with regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training and the educational quality assessment organization; the person authorized has the responsibility to promptly reflect to the educational quality assessment organization about the activities of the external evaluation team. The supervisor may participate in all activities of the external evaluation process but shall not interfere professionally to affect the outcome of external evaluations and must comply with the confidentiality information regulations of the educational quality assessment organization.

2. An intern is a person currently attending a training course for educational quality assessment officers or has been issued a certificate of completion of the training program for educational quality assessment officers or has been issued an educational quality assessment officer card, arranged by the educational quality assessment organization and the training institution to observe and practice external evaluation activities. The intern may attend sessions of the external evaluation team but shall not interfere professionally to affect the outcome of external evaluations; must commit to complying with and being responsible for implementing confidentiality information regulations of the educational quality assessment organization.

Article 27. Principles of Work of External Evaluation Teams

1. External evaluation teams operate according to the principle of democratic centralism.

2. For contents related to expertise where consensus cannot be reached by at least two-thirds of the members of the external evaluation team, the team leader is responsible for convening meetings to discuss directly and make final decisions. These meetings are recorded in minutes and kept in the file of the external evaluation team.

3. Members of the external evaluation team, supervisors, and interns must adhere to quality education assessment principles; have written commitments or agreements with the educational quality assessment organization regarding professional ethics, have the responsibility to keep confidential information related to external evaluation activities; respect interviewees, training institutions, and other members of the team.

Article 28. Procedure for External Evaluations

1. Review Self-Assessment Reports

a) The external evaluation team studies the self-assessment report and relevant files on the training programs under evaluation sent by the educational quality assessment organization; collects, analyzes, and processes information and evidence related to the quality assessment standards;

b) Members of the external evaluation team discuss to unify the following contents: On the form, structure, and content of the self-assessment report; criteria not assessed, assessed incorrectly, or not analyzed and evaluated comprehensively; list of criteria requiring re-examination, verification, or additional information and evidence; list of materials and documents to be examined or to be supplemented; anticipated interview subjects and content; anticipated locations, facilities, equipment, and activities to survey; anticipated situations that may arise;

c) Complete the draft report on the results of reviewing the files; the draft must be reviewed by members of the external evaluation team and approved by at least two-thirds of the members of the external evaluation team.

2. Preliminary Survey

a) Duration: one day, working method: direct or online;

b) Participants: Team leader, secretary, and representative of the external evaluation team members (if necessary); the self-assessment council of the training program of the training institution and the representative of the educational quality assessment organization;

c) Content: Announce the results of reviewing the self-assessment report; guide and request the training institution to prepare for the formal survey and other issues (if any); agree on the time for the formal survey of the team; approve the preliminary survey minutes;

d) After the meeting, all parties sign the preliminary survey minutes (Form 08).

3. Formal Survey at the Training Institution

a) Direct working duration: from three to five days.

b) Main activities of the external evaluation team: Study evidence files and documents provided by the training institution; tour, survey, interview, observe regular and extracurricular activities, and discuss at the training institution; write the formal survey result report; discuss the draft formal survey result report, the report must be approved by at least two-thirds of the members of the external evaluation team; before concluding the survey period, the external evaluation team works with the self-assessment council to inform them of the work completed and findings during the survey, and both parties sign the formal survey completion minutes (Form 09);

c) Depending on the context and reality, the external evaluation team may combine face-to-face interviews with online interviews; interview subjects include leaders, managers, lecturers, researchers, staff, students, graduates, and employers related to the training program; interview subjects must ensure a reasonable age, tenure, gender distribution, and representativeness of all parties involved. Interview content is recorded in writing and stored at the educational quality assessment organization.

4. Draft External Evaluation Report (Forms 10 and 12)

a) The members of the external evaluation team write reports according to the assigned criteria and submit them to the team leader and secretary for consolidation (Table 11); the team leader and secretary compile, edit, and finalize the draft external evaluation report and send it back to the members of the external evaluation team for comments (the content of the draft external evaluation report must be approved by at least two-thirds of the members of the team). In case there is no agreement from at least two-thirds of the members of the team, the external evaluation team leader must convene a final discussion meeting and the team leader is responsible for making the final decision. All these meetings are recorded in minutes and kept in the file of the external evaluation team.

b) The external evaluation team, through the quality assurance organization, sends the draft external evaluation report to the training institution for review within ten working days from the date the training institution receives the draft external evaluation report.

5. Finalize the external evaluation report

a) Within ten working days from the date of receiving the draft external evaluation report, the training institution is responsible for sending a letter to the external evaluation team through the quality assurance organization, clearly stating the opinions agreeing with or disagreeing with the draft external evaluation report. If there is disagreement with the draft external evaluation report, the training institution must clearly state the reasons along with evidence. If the training institution does not provide feedback beyond this period, it will be considered as agreeing with the draft external evaluation report;

b) Within ten working days from the date of receiving the feedback from the training institution or from the expiration date of the training institution's response to the draft external evaluation report, the external evaluation team through the quality assurance organization sends a notification letter to the training institution informing about the opinions that have been accepted or reserved (if any). In case of reserving opinions, the reasons must be clearly stated;

c) The external evaluation team completes the external evaluation report and submits the external evaluation report together with related files to the director of the quality assurance organization for the quality assurance organization to officially send the external evaluation report to the training institution;

d) Within ten working days from the date of receiving the external evaluation report, the quality assurance organization updates the information into the Quality Assurance System Management Software for Higher Education;

đ) Members of the external evaluation team and relevant individuals (supervisors, interns, support staff) are not allowed to provide information related to the content of work and the evaluation results of the external evaluation team without permission from the external evaluation team leader, the quality assurance organization, or the competent state management agency;

Article 29. Responsibilities of Training Institutions in External Evaluation Activities of Training Programs

1. Prepare complete files and data and be responsible for the legality of the files and data related to the activities of the training program and other necessary conditions to serve the external evaluation activities.

2. Assign a leader of the training institution, a leader of the specialized unit with the evaluated training program, and a dedicated officer to act as the main contact person for the external evaluation team.

3. Cooperate, exchange, and discuss with the external evaluation team regarding the results of the self-evaluation report research and the survey results conducted by the team at the training institution.

4. Implement Clause a, Section 5, Article 28 and other relevant provisions in this Circular.

5. After reaching consensus with the external evaluation results, within thirty days from the date the training institution receives the letter attached with the official external evaluation report from the quality assurance organization, the training institution sends a request to the quality assurance organization for recognition of the training program meeting the educational quality standards and signs a contract for the assessment of the evaluation results and the recognition of meeting the quality standards of the training program.

Section 4

REVIEW OF EVALUATION RESULTS QUALITY

CHAPTER TRAINING PROGRAM

Article 30. Education Quality Assessment Council

1. The Education Quality Assessment Council shall be established by the Director of the Education Quality Assessment Organization to perform the task of reviewing the results of education quality assessment, proposing to the Director of the Education Quality Assessment Organization to recognize or not recognize training programs that meet the standards of education quality. The Council may use the seal of the Education Quality Assessment Organization when performing tasks as prescribed; the Education Quality Assessment Organization shall review, supplement, and adjust the personnel of the Council to meet requirements and regulations.

2. The Council shall have an odd number of members, with at least nine members, of which no more than 50% of the members can be permanent members of the Education Quality Assessment Organization.

3. The composition of the Council includes:

a) The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Council are leaders of the Education Quality Assessment Organization; in specific cases as prescribed, if the leaders of the organization cannot participate as Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Council, the Director of the Education Quality Assessment Organization shall appoint an assessor who has served as head of at least ten external evaluation teams or has been a leader of a training institution or equivalent level or higher;

b) Members of the Council are individuals who have been or are currently leaders of training institutions or equivalent levels, leaders of labor-using units (if any), assessors who have served as heads or secretaries of at least five external evaluation teams; members of the Council are assessors;

c) The Council has a secretariat assisting in its work, established by the decision of the Director of the Education Quality Assessment Organization upon the proposal of the Chairman of the Council, where the head of the secretariat is one member of the Council;

d) In the case of reviewing the results of the assessment of training programs of training institutions under the Ministry of Public Security or the Ministry of National Defense, the composition of the Council shall be decided by the Director of the Education Quality Assessment Organization after reaching consensus with the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of National Defense;

đ) The head of the external evaluation team of the training program shall not participate in the Council as Chairman, Secretary, and shall not vote on that training program;

4. Working methods of the Education Quality Assessment Council:

a) The Council operates based on the principle of collective decision-making, voting by majority to decide issues within the Council's mandate. When necessary, the Education Quality Assessment Organization may invite experts in the field of education quality assessment to attend Council meetings; in this case, invited participants may contribute to discussions but shall not vote;

b) The Council convenes (in person or online) all members at least once a year to discuss professional issues including trends in ensuring and assessing education quality; propose policy recommendations and quality improvements for the Education Quality Assessment Organization and state management agencies (if any); convene to review external evaluation reports as called by the Chairman of the Council; each meeting shall not review more than three external evaluation reports;

c) At least ten working days before the meeting, members of the Council and invited participants (if any) shall receive the review report for prior study;

d) At least five working days before the meeting, each member of the Council shall submit their comments on the review report to the Chairman of the Council (Form 13);

đ) At least two working days before the meeting, the Council Secretary shall send the draft resolution on the review of the assessment results of the training program to the Council members for prior study before discussion at the meeting;

e) Based on the review report, the Council shall examine and vote on recognizing or not recognizing the results of external assessments of training programs or changing the results of external assessments for criteria and standards that have not met the required standards;

g) The Council's resolution (Form 14) shall only be valid if it is approved by at least two-thirds of the Council members through a secret ballot; the minutes of the Council meeting shall be approved by all present members of the Council and signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Council;

5. The Education Quality Assessment Council shall be responsible for the results of the review of the assessment results of training programs.

Article 31. Time limit and dossier for reviewing the results of educational program quality assessment

1. Within ninety days from the date of receipt of the document requesting recognition of the educational program meeting the quality standards submitted by the training institution, the educational quality assurance organization shall convene the educational quality assurance council to review the results of the educational quality assessment. In case the educational quality assurance council holds its meeting online, the educational quality assurance organization must meet the technical requirements for information technology; the progress of the meeting must be fully recorded for storage together with the review dossier.

2. The dossier for reviewing the results of the educational quality assessment includes:

a) Self-assessment report;

b) External assessment report;

c) Document sent by the educational quality assurance organization to the training institution containing the draft external assessment report of the external assessment team;

d) Feedback document from the training institution on the draft external assessment report;

đ) Document sent by the external assessment team through the educational quality assurance organization to the training institution regarding the acceptance or retention of opinions;

e) Document requesting recognition of the educational program meeting the quality standards submitted by the training institution.

3. The secretariat assists the educational quality assurance council in drafting the plan for reviewing the results of the educational program quality assessment, preparing the review dossier, and sending the review dossier to the council members.

Article 32. Procedure for reviewing the results of the educational program quality assessment

The procedure for reviewing the results of the educational program quality assessment by the educational quality assurance council is carried out in the following sequence:

1. A full council meeting chaired by the chairman or vice-chairman authorized to chair the meeting shall be held to perform the following tasks:

a) Listening to a summary report on the self-assessment results of the educational program by a representative of the training institution and issues requiring discussion;

b) Listening to a summary report on the external assessment results of the educational program by a representative of the external assessment team and issues requiring discussion;

c) Discussing the following contents: Self-assessment results; external assessment results; adjustments to assessment criteria and standards (if any); draft resolution of the council on reviewing the results of the educational program quality assessment, including recommendations of the council for the training institution to address existing shortcomings and continue improving the quality of education;

d) The council conducts a secret ballot to approve the resolution on reviewing the results of the educational program quality assessment. In case the council holds its meeting online, council members shall implement voting in a suitable manner that ensures the secret ballot requirement and is stored according to regulations.

2. Within ten working days from the date of the review results, the educational quality assurance organization shall send the training institution applying for quality assessment of the educational program the resolution on reviewing the results of the educational program quality assessment, along with the council's recommendations for the training institution to address existing shortcomings and continue improving the quality of the assessed educational program.

3. Within twenty working days from the date of receipt of the documents stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article, the training institution shall submit a feedback document to the educational quality assurance organization in one of the following three cases:

a) Agreeing with the content of the resolution and the council's recommendations, requesting the educational quality assurance organization to recognize the educational program meeting the quality standards and issue a certificate of educational program quality assessment;

b) Agreeing with the content of the resolution and the council's recommendations, the training institution has a plan to address existing shortcomings and continue improving the quality of education;

c) Disagreeing with part or all of the content of the resolution and the council's recommendations, requesting the educational quality assurance organization to reconsider.

4. For the case provided for in point a, Clause 3 of this Article:

a) Within ten working days from the date of receipt of the document from the training institution, the educational quality assurance organization shall publicly announce the external assessment results, the content of the resolution, and the council's recommendations on its electronic information website;

b) After fifteen days of announcement, if there are no complaints or accusations, the educational quality assurance organization shall issue a decision to grant a certificate of educational program quality assessment to the training institution; if there are complaints or accusations, the educational quality assurance organization shall re-examine the entire process and review dossier before deciding whether to issue the certificate of educational program quality assessment and bear responsibility for explanation;

c) For educational programs requiring confidentiality according to state regulations, the training institution shall submit the external assessment results, the content of the resolution, and the council's recommendations to the direct management agency at least fifteen working days before being considered for recognition by the educational quality assurance organization.

5. For the case provided for in point c, Clause 3 of this Article, the educational quality assurance organization shall have a plan to reconsider the content of the council's resolution in the next meeting according to the procedure stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article.

Section 5

RECOGNITION OF MEETING EDUCATIONAL QUALITY STANDARDS

Article 33. Conditions and Recognition of Training Programs Meeting Quality Education Standards

1. Based on the resolution regarding the review of the evaluation results by the quality education assessment council, the educational quality assessment organization shall consider and recognize the level of meeting quality standards of training programs when the following requirements are met:

a) There has been at least one graduating class of students at the time of completing the self-assessment report;

b) It has been externally evaluated and there is a document from the training institution requesting the educational quality assessment organization to consider and recognize the achievement of quality standards for the training program;

c) The evaluation results of the training program meet the provisions stipulated in point a or point b, Clause 4, Article 13 of this Circular.

2. Recognition of Achievement of Quality Standards

a) A training program that meets the provisions stipulated in points a and b, Clause 1, Article 33 of this Law and the provisions stipulated in point a, Clause 4, Article 13 of this Circular shall be recognized by the educational quality assessment organization and issued a certificate of achievement of quality education standards, valid for a period of five years from the date of issuance;

b) A training program that meets the provisions stipulated in points a and b, Clause 1, Article 33 of this Law and the provisions stipulated in point b, Clause 4, Article 13 of this Circular shall be conditionally recognized by the educational quality assessment organization and issued a certificate, valid for a period of two years from the date of issuance;

c) For a training program that meets the requirements stipulated in Clause 4, Article 12 of this Circular, it shall be recognized by the educational quality assessment organization and issued a certificate of achievement of quality education standards, valid for a period of seven years from the date of issuance;

d) Within a maximum period of twenty-four months from the date the training program is conditionally recognized, the training institution shall implement improvements to the quality of the training program in accordance with the provisions stipulated in point b, Clause 1, Article 33 of this Law, while also meeting the provisions stipulated in point a, Clause 4, Article 13 of this Circular, and may submit a letter requesting the educational quality assessment organization to conduct an assessment and recognition of achievement of quality standards in accordance with the provisions stipulated in Section 6 of this Chapter;

e) At least nine months before the quality education assessment certification for the training program expires, the training institution shall carry out self-assessment of the next cycle of the training program, clearly outlining the quality improvements compared to the previous cycle, and register with the educational quality assessment organization for the next cycle assessment.

Article 34. Certificate of Quality Assessment for Training Programs

1. Based on the proposal of the quality education assessment council, the director of the educational quality assessment organization shall issue a decision recognizing the training program as achieving or conditionally achieving quality standards and issuing a certificate of achievement of quality education assessment for the training program that achieves or conditionally achieves quality standards.

2. The certificate must clearly state the number of standards achieved; the number of criteria, conditional criteria meeting requirements, and the percentage of criteria, conditional criteria meeting requirements.

3. The certificate of quality assessment for training programs shall be designed and printed by the educational quality assessment organization. The educational quality assessment organization shall send a sample of the certificate of quality assessment for training programs to the Ministry of Education and Training (through the Quality Management Department) prior to its use.

Article 35. Revocation of Quality Assessment Certification for Training Programs

1. The Quality Assessment Certification for Training Programs with remaining validity period shall be revoked if there is a violation in any of the following cases:

a) Granting recognition of assessment results and issuing the Quality Assessment Certification for Training Programs when the training program does not meet all conditions stipulated in Article 34 of this Circular;

b) The training program during the assessment period does not meet the requirements to maintain quality assurance conditions as concluded by the competent authority.

2. For training programs that have been granted Quality Assessment Certifications and show signs of violating the provisions of Clause 1 of this Article:

a) The Ministry of Education and Training decides to establish a Quality Assessment Review Board or a Team to inspect the maintenance of quality assurance conditions for training programs.

b) The establishment of the Board and the organization of the quality assessment review process shall be carried out as follows:

- The Ministry of Education and Training decides to establish the Quality Assessment Review Board. The Board consists of 05 or 07 members, including the Chairman of the Board being a leader from the Quality Management Department; the Secretary member is a civil servant from the Quality Management Department; other members are representatives of relevant units within the Ministry of Education and Training (if necessary), experienced and reputable accreditation experts;

- Tasks of the Board: reviewing external evaluation files, quality assessment result review files, and the certification and issuance of certificates attesting to meeting educational quality standards by the quality education accreditation organization.

- The Board operates through self-study of files and review meetings. The review results are only approved in the meeting session when more than 50% of the votes of the Board members agree, including the vote of the Board member who is an expert, on one of two levels: the review results indicate that the file does not show signs of violations under Clause 1 of this Article or the review results indicate violations as specified in points a and b of Clause 1 of this Article.

- In case the quality assessment review results in the file do not meet the requirements, the Ministry of Education and Training organizes a meeting between the representatives of the Quality Assessment Review Board, the quality education accreditation organization, and the external evaluation team. The meeting dialogue results are recorded in minutes and serve as the basis for conclusions. If the meeting cannot reach a consensus on the quality assessment review results, the Quality Assessment Review Board will issue a report and recommendation (through the Quality Management Department) to the leadership of the Ministry of Education and Training for decision-making.

c) Accreditation organizations and training institutions are responsible for providing related files and creating conditions for the Team to inspect the maintenance of quality assurance conditions for training programs and for the Quality Assessment Review Board during the performance of their tasks.

3. Procedure for revoking the Quality Assessment Certification for Training Programs:

a) The Ministry of Education and Training sends a document requesting the director of the quality education accreditation organization to revoke the Quality Assessment Certification for Training Programs along with related documents;

b) The director of the quality education accreditation organization is responsible for examining based on the provisions of Clause 1 of this Article and issuing a decision to revoke the Quality Assessment Certification for Training Programs of the training institution within 15 working days from the date of receipt of the document from the Ministry of Education and Training.

4. The decision to revoke the Quality Assessment Certification for Training Programs of the training institution shall be published on the electronic information website of the quality education accreditation organization, the Ministry of Education and Training's electronic portal, and updated in the Software for Managing the System of Assurance and Quality Assessment of Higher Education.

Article 36. Implementation of improvements and enhancement of training program quality

1. Training institutions maintain and develop conditions to ensure the quality of training programs. Maintain and promote the results of training program quality assessments that have been recognized within the validity period of the quality assessment certification.

2. Annually, training institutions implement plans for improving and enhancing the quality of training programs based on recommendations from the education quality assessment council, report to the direct management authority on the results of quality improvement and measures taken to address issues identified in external evaluation reports.

3. After the training program has been recognized as meeting educational quality standards, the training institution conducts mid-cycle self-assessment focusing on evaluating the outcomes of quality improvement and enhancement efforts; submit the mid-cycle assessment report (Form 15) to the Ministry of Education and Training, the direct management authority, and the education quality assessment organization, and update it into the Quality Assurance and Education Quality Assessment System Management software.

4. The training institution implements the subsequent cycle assessment in accordance with the provisions of Article 14 of this Circular.

Article 37. Archival Documents on Evaluation and Recognition Activities for Training Programs Meeting Quality Standards

1. The education quality assessment organization archives documents related to evaluation and recognition activities for training programs meeting quality standards; the preservation, storage, and use of archival documents at the education quality assessment organization shall be in accordance with the Law on Archives and current regulations.

2. The archival documents include:

a) Contracts between the education quality assessment organization and the training institution for the purpose of reviewing self-assessment reports, conducting external evaluations, and recognizing achievement of quality standards.

b) Documents related to the review of self-assessment reports: Results of the review of training program self-assessment reports by the education quality assessment organization; completed self-assessment reports of the training institution after review by the education quality assessment organization.

c) Documents related to external evaluations: Decision to establish the external evaluation team; external evaluation plan; report on research findings of the self-assessment report by the external evaluation team; preliminary survey record; in-depth research results on assigned criteria by each member of the external evaluation team; formal survey report by the external evaluation team; formal survey record; training institution's document on draft external evaluation report content (if applicable); document from the external evaluation team through the education quality assessment organization sent to the training institution regarding acceptance or reservation of opinions (if applicable); external evaluation report.

d) Documents related to the review and recognition of achievement of quality standards for training programs: Meeting agenda; review file; comments on the review file of each council member on the quality assessment results; education quality assessment council meeting record; resolution of the education quality assessment council; finalized external evaluation report after review (if applicable); decision to recognize achievement of quality standards.

Chapter 6

CHAPTER QUALITY ASSESSMENT PROGRAMME

CONDITIONAL ACHIEVEMENT LEVEL

Article 38. Self-assessment and Request for Re-evaluation

1. Within a period not exceeding twenty-four months from the date the training programme is recognized to have conditionally achieved the required level by the quality education assessment organization, the training institution shall undertake the following actions:

a) Improve quality and conduct self-assessment on criteria and standards that did not meet the required level after the quality education assessment organization reviews the assessment results;

b) If the results of the self-assessment comply with the provisions set out in point a, Clause 4, Article 13 of this Circular, the training institution shall request the quality education assessment organization that conducted the initial assessment to carry out re-evaluation on the criteria and standards that did not meet the requirements. In case the training programme still does not meet the provisions set out in point a, Clause 4, Article 13 of this Circular at the end of the twenty-four month period after being conditionally recognized, the certificate will become invalid and the training programme must undergo a new quality education assessment process from the beginning according to the quality education assessment procedures;

2. The application dossier for re-evaluation includes a letter from the training institution sent to the quality education assessment organization requesting re-evaluation, accompanied by a self-assessment report updated with the content and results of evaluating the criteria and standards that did not meet the requirements in the previous self-assessment report submitted to the quality education assessment organization.

Article 39. Re-evaluation, Review of Evaluation Results, and Recognition of Quality Education Standards Achievement

1. Re-evaluation:

a) The quality education assessment organization establishes a re-evaluation team consisting of at least three members including the team leader, secretary, and team member; among them, there must be at least one person who was a member of the previous evaluation team, prioritizing those who directly conducted the evaluation of the criteria and standards that did not meet the requirements to participate in the re-evaluation team. The re-evaluation team studies the evidence files and relevant documents provided by the training institution regarding the evaluation criteria; then conducts an official survey at the training institution within two days with activities such as studying evidence files and relevant documents related to the evaluation criteria; conducting surveys, interviews, observations of regular and extracurricular activities (if necessary) at the training institution; completing the evaluation forms for the criteria; writing an official survey result report. Before concluding the survey, the re-evaluation team members work with the self-assessment council to inform them about the completed tasks and findings during the survey, and both parties sign the official survey record;

b) The re-evaluation team sends the draft report on evaluating the criteria and standards to the training institution through the quality education assessment organization for comments within five working days from the date the training institution receives the draft report;

c) Within five working days from the date of receiving the draft re-evaluation report, the training institution is responsible for sending a letter to the re-evaluation team through the quality education assessment organization, clearly stating their agreement or disagreement with the draft report on evaluating the criteria and standards. In case of disagreement with the draft re-evaluation report, the training institution must provide clear reasons along with supporting evidence. If the training institution fails to respond within the above time limit, it is considered to agree with the draft re-evaluation report;

d) Within five working days from the date of receiving feedback from the training institution or from the expiration date of the training institution's response to the draft re-evaluation report, the re-evaluation team sends a notification letter to the training institution through the quality education assessment organization informing them about the accepted or reserved opinions. In case of reserving opinions, the reasons must be clearly stated;

đ) The re-evaluation team completes the report on evaluating the criteria and standards and submits it to the quality education assessment organization for updating into the previous external assessment report and officially sends the re-evaluation report to the training institution;

2. Review of Re-evaluation Results:

a) After re-evaluation, if the provisions set out in point a, Clause 4, Article 13 of this Circular are met, the training institution will be reviewed by the quality education assessment organization on the re-evaluation results;

b) The review of re-evaluation results is carried out according to the provisions set out in Section 4, Chapter III of this Circular;

3. Recognition and Issuance of Certificate:

a) The recognition of achieving quality education standards is carried out according to the provisions set out in Section 5, Chapter III of this Circular;

b) The quality education certification is issued after re-evaluation and becomes invalid five years from the date the training programme received the conditional achievement certificate and replaces the previously issued conditional achievement certificate;

c) The training programme with the quality education certification issued after re-evaluation shall implement improvements and enhance the quality of the training programme according to the provisions set out in Article 36 of this Circular.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 40. Quality Management Department

1. Publicize the list of domestic quality assurance organizations, foreign quality assurance organizations, and training programs recognized as meeting quality standards on the Ministry of Education and Training's electronic portal.

2. Organize and ensure the consistent implementation of the provisions of this Circular.

3. Supervise and monitor quality assurance activities; take the lead and coordinate with competent authorities to resolve complaints and reports related to the relevant contents in accordance with regulations.

Article 41. Responsibilities of the Information Technology Department

1. Organize the exploitation of the Higher Education Database System (HEMIS), share, and provide information on quality assurance and quality assessment during the quality assessment process of training programs at various levels upon request from relevant parties.

2. Take the lead or coordinate with related units in upgrading the HEMIS software according to management requirements.

Article 42. Training Institutions

1. Develop plans for training programs according to quality standards at each stage.

2. Update information about self-assessment results of training programs into the Quality Assurance and Quality Assessment Management System software. Report the results of quality assessment of training programs and improvement plans to enhance the quality of training programs to the Ministry of Education and Training after being recognized as meeting quality standards in accordance with regulations.

3. Publicly announce external evaluation results, quality improvement plans, and quality assessment certification of training programs on the training institution’s website no later than ten working days after issuance (this does not apply to training institutions required to keep information confidential according to state regulations).

4. Annually report to the direct management authority and the Ministry of Education and Training on the results of implementing quality improvement and enhancement plans after receiving the quality assessment certification.

5. Conduct self-assessments and be responsible for ensuring that training programs comply with training program standard regulations and conditions for maintaining training fields before registering for external evaluations with quality assessment organizations.

6. Undergo inspections and audits; provide documents, evidence, and reports to serve inspection, audit, and supervision activities of authorized agencies.

7. Implement other relevant provisions according to the law.

Article 43. Quality Assurance Organizations

1. Report to the Ministry of Education and Training and publicly disclose information and quality assessment results in accordance with this Circular and other relevant regulations.

2. Update into the Quality Assurance and Quality Assessment Management System software and publicly announce external evaluation reports and quality assessment council resolutions on the quality assurance organization’s website at least fifteen days before issuing quality assessment certification for training programs (this does not apply to training institutions required to keep information confidential according to state regulations).

3. Update into the Quality Assurance and Quality Assessment Management System software and publicly announce quality assessment certification for training programs on the quality assurance organization’s website no later than five working days after issuance. Publicize the list of training programs that have received quality assessment certification.

4. Monthly update quality assurance activities and results into the Quality Assurance and Quality Assessment Management System software.

5. Develop plans to develop internal and collaborating quality assurance staff.

6. Publicly announce on the quality assurance organization’s website the calculation method and funding levels for activities: review of self-assessment reports, external assessments, and recognition of training programs meeting quality standards.

7. Based on the content stipulated in this Circular, develop professional manuals for quality assurance staff to implement uniformly. In cases where new criteria and guidelines related to the implementation of quality standards are added, quality assurance organizations must submit reports to the Ministry of Education and Training through the Quality Management Department before promulgation.

8. After issuing quality assessment certification, quality assurance organizations are responsible for monitoring and responding to quality improvement reports from training institutions.

9. Undergo inspections and audits; provide documents, evidence, and reports to serve inspection, audit, and supervision activities of authorized agencies.

10. Implement other relevant provisions according to the law.

Chapter V

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 44. Transitional Provisions

Training institutions and organizations that have conducted self-assessment and external assessment of training programs prior to the effective date of this Circular shall continue to implement Circular No. 38/2013/TT-BGDĐT dated November 29, 2013, issued by the Minister of Education and Training on the procedures and cycles for assessing the quality of training programs at universities, colleges, and vocational secondary schools, and Circular No. 04/2016/TT-BGDĐT dated March 14, 2016, issued by the Minister of Education and Training on standards for evaluating the quality of training programs at various levels of higher education, and shall complete the quality assessment process no later than December 31, 2025.

Article 45. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from April 4, 2025.

2. This Circular replaces Circular No. 38/2013/TT-BGDĐT dated November 29, 2013, issued by the Minister of Education and Training on procedures and cycles for assessing the quality of training programs at universities, colleges, and vocational secondary schools; Circular No. 04/2016/TT-BGDĐT dated March 14, 2016, issued by the Minister of Education and Training on standards for evaluating the quality of training programs at various levels of higher education; Circular No. 39/2020/TT-BGDĐT dated October 9, 2020, issued by the Minister of Education and Training on standards for evaluating the quality of distance learning training programs at the bachelor's level; Circular No. 33/2014/TT-BGDĐT dated October 2, 2014, issued by the Minister of Education and Training on standards for evaluating the quality of nursing training programs at the bachelor's and college levels (content related to the bachelor's level); Circular No. 49/2012/TT-BGDĐT dated December 12, 2012, issued by the Minister of Education and Training on standards for evaluating the quality of high school teacher training programs at the bachelor's level; and Circular No. 23/2011/TT-BGDĐT dated June 6, 2011, issued by the Minister of Education and Training on standards for evaluating the quality of industrial technical teacher education programs at the bachelor's level.

Article 46. Responsibility for Implementation

The Director of the Office, the Director of the Quality Management Department, the heads of relevant units under the Ministry of Education and Training; the Rectors of universities and academies; the Principals of universities; the Directors of research institutes offering doctoral programs; the Principals or Directors of other training institutions authorized to offer master’s and doctoral programs; the Heads of training institutions with teacher training programs at the college level; the Directors of educational quality assessment organizations; and all related organizations and individuals are responsible for implementing this Circular./.