Circular No. 62/2012/TT-BGDĐT Issuing Regulations on the Procedures and Cycles for Quality Assurance Assessment of Higher Education Institutions, Colleges, and Vocational Schools

CIRCULAR

Issuing Regulations on the Process and Cycle of Quality Assessment

for Higher Education Institutions, Colleges, and Vocational Secondary Schools

Pursuant to the Education Law dated June 14, 2005; the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Education Law dated November 25, 2009;

Pursuant to Decree No. 75/2006/NĐ-CP dated August 2, 2006 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Education; Decree No. 31/2011/NĐ-CP dated May 11, 2011 of the Government amending and supplementing certain provisions of Decree No. 75/2006/NĐ-CP dated August 2, 2006 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Education; Decree No. 07/2013/NĐ-CP dated January 9, 2013 of the Government amending point b Clause 1 Article 1 of Decree No. 31/2011/NĐ-CP dated May 11, 2011 of the Government amending and supplementing certain provisions of Decree No. 75/2006/NĐ-CP dated August 2, 2006 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Education;

Pursuant to Decree No. 36/2012/NĐ-CP dated April 18, 2012 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of ministries and ministerial-level agencies;

Pursuant to Decree No. 32/2008/NĐ-CP dated March 19, 2008 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Education and Training;

Pursuant to Decree No. 75/2006/NĐ-CP dated August 2, 2006 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Education; and Decree No. 31/2011/NĐ-CP dated May 11, 2011 of the Government amending and supplementing certain provisions of Decree No. 75/2006/NĐ-CP dated August 2, 2006 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Education;

At the proposal of the Director of the Testing and Quality Assurance Agency;

The Minister of Education and Training issues this Circular on Regulations on the Process and Cycle of Quality Assessment for Higher Education Institutions, Colleges, and Vocational Secondary Schools,

Article 1. Attached herewith are Regulations on the Process and Cycle of Quality Assessment for Higher Education Institutions, Colleges, and Vocational Secondary Schools.

Article 2. This Circular takes effect from February 15, 2013 and replaces Decision No. 76/2007/QĐ-BGDĐT dated December 20, 2007 of the Minister of Education and Training promulgating Regulations on the Process and Cycle of Quality Assessment for Higher Education Institutions, Colleges, and Vocational Secondary Schools.

Article 3. The Director of the Office, the Director of the Department of Testing and Quality Assurance, Heads of units under the Ministry of Education and Training related to this matter; Heads of management agencies of universities, academies, colleges, and vocational secondary schools; Chairpersons of People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities; Directors of universities and academies; Principals of colleges and vocational secondary schools; Directors of quality assessment organizations shall be responsible for implementing this Circular./.

REGULATIONS

On the Process and Cycle of Quality Assessment
for Higher Education Institutions, Colleges, and Vocational Secondary Schools

(Attached to Circular No.: 62/2012/TT-BGDĐT

dated December 28, 2012 of the Minister of Education and Training)

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

1. This document stipulates the process and cycle of quality assessment for higher education institutions, colleges, and vocational secondary schools, including self-assessment; external assessment and reassessment; review of assessment results; recognition of meeting educational quality standards.

2. This document applies to public and private higher education institutions, colleges, and vocational secondary schools (hereinafter referred to as educational institutions) within the national education system, including educational institutions with foreign investment operating in Vietnam; and relevant organizations and individuals.

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

In this document, the following terms shall be understood as follows:

1. "Educational quality" refers to the fulfillment of the set goals of the educational institution, meeting the requirements of the Law on Education, the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Education, and the Law on Higher Education, in accordance with the demand for human resources for economic and social development at both local and national levels.

2. "Quality assessment of educational institutions" is the activity of evaluating and recognizing the degree to which educational institutions meet educational quality standards in terms of objectives, content, and educational programs.

3. "Self-assessment" is the process by which educational institutions examine and study based on the educational quality assessment criteria issued by the Ministry of Education and Training to report on the status of educational quality, training effectiveness, scientific research, human resources, infrastructure, and other related issues, so that the educational institution can adjust its resources and processes to achieve educational quality standards.

4. "External assessment" is the process of surveying and assessing by the quality assessment organization based on the educational quality assessment criteria issued by the Ministry of Education and Training to determine the degree to which educational institutions meet educational quality standards.

Article 3. Quality Education Evaluation Standards

1. The quality education evaluation standards issued by the Minister of Education and Training are the levels of requirements and conditions that educational institutions must meet to be recognized as meeting the quality education standards.

2. Quality education evaluation standards are established for each level of education. Each standard includes several criteria. The quality education evaluation criteria are the specific levels of requirements and conditions that need to be achieved in each particular aspect of the standard.

Article 4. Objectives and Principles of Quality Education Accreditation

1. Quality education accreditation aims to contribute to ensuring and improving the quality of education; confirming the extent to which educational institutions meet their set goals during specific periods; serving as a basis for educational institutions to explain to competent state management agencies and society about the current status of educational quality; providing a basis for students to choose educational institutions and employers to select human resources.

2. Quality education accreditation must ensure the following principles:

a) Independence, objectivity, compliance with laws;

b) Honesty, transparency, clarity;

c) Equality, mandatory, periodic.

Article 5. Accreditation Process and Cycle

1. The quality education accreditation process includes the following steps:

a) Educational institutions conduct self-assessment;

b) Educational institutions register for external assessment with an educational quality accreditation organization and request recognition of meeting the quality education standards;

c) The educational quality accreditation organization conducts external assessment;

d) The educational quality accreditation organization reviews, recognizes or does not recognize the educational institution as meeting the quality education standards.

2. Quality education accreditation is carried out every five years.

Article 6. Publicizing Results of Quality Education Accreditation Implementation

1. Educational institutions:

a) Publish the self-assessment report within the educational institution at least thirty days before registering for external assessment with an educational quality accreditation organization;

b) Publicly announce the Quality Education Accreditation Certificate on the educational institution's website no later than thirty days after receiving the Quality Education Accreditation Certificate (this does not apply to educational institutions required to keep information confidential according to state regulations).

2. Educational quality accreditation organizations:

a) Publicly announce the results of external assessment, contents of the accreditation council's resolutions and recommendations on the educational quality accreditation organization's website at least thirty days before issuing the Quality Education Accreditation Certificate to the educational institution (this does not apply to educational institutions required to keep information confidential according to state regulations);

b) Publicly announce the Quality Education Accreditation Certificate of the educational institution on the educational quality accreditation organization's website no later than five working days after issuing the Quality Education Accreditation Certificate to the educational institution and maintain it on the website for at least five years.

3. The Ministry of Education and Training publicly announces the list of educational quality accreditation organizations licensed to operate educational quality accreditation on the Ministry of Education and Training's website and through mass media.

Chapter II
SELF-ASSESSMENT

Article 7. Self-assessment process

The self-assessment process includes:

1. Establishing a self-assessment council.

2. Steps to implement self-assessment activities.

Article 8. Establishment of the Self-Assessment Council

1. The Self-Assessment Council shall have an odd number of members, with at least eleven members, established by the Director or Principal (hereinafter referred to collectively as the Principal).

2. The Chairman of the Self-Assessment Council is the Principal; the Vice-Chairman is a Deputy Principal. Other members include representatives of the School Council or Board of Management, Scientific and Training Council; representatives of units (departments, centers...) ensuring educational quality; Heads of departments, offices, faculties, and subjects; reputable lecturers and teachers; representatives of students (hereinafter referred to collectively as students) and other organizational bodies within the educational institution. The Council has a secretariat to assist, with the head of the unit ensuring educational quality designated as the head of the secretariat.

3. The Self-Assessment Council operates under the principle of democratic centralism, discussing to reach consensus.

Article 9. Functions and Duties of the Self-Assessment Council

1. The Self-Assessment Council has the function of implementing self-assessment and advising the Principal on measures to improve the quality of the educational institution's activities.

2. The Self-Assessment Council has the following duties:

a) Promoting policies for implementing self-assessment; introducing the self-assessment process, exchanging self-assessment experiences, and requiring relevant units and individuals to cooperate in implementation;

b) Collecting information, evidence, reviewing activities, and comparing results achieved with set goals; assessing the level of achievement, identifying strengths and weaknesses of the educational institution; proposing plans for improvement and enhancing educational quality;

c) Comparing results achieved with educational quality assessment standards issued by the Ministry of Education and Training, writing self-assessment reports;

d) Publishing the self-assessment report within the educational institution;

d) Recommending the establishment and maintenance of a database on the institution's activities, implementing activities to improve and enhance educational quality.

3. Members of the Self-Assessment Council have the following duties:

a) The Chairman of the Council is responsible for the Council's activities, assigning specific tasks to each member; convening and chairing Council meetings; approving the self-assessment plan; directing the process of collecting information and evidence; processing, analyzing, and writing self-assessment reports; resolving issues arising during the implementation of self-assessment;

b) The Vice-Chairman of the Council has the duty to manage the Council when authorized by the Chairman and is responsible for assigned and delegated work;

c) Council members have the duty to perform tasks assigned by the Chairman and are responsible for the work entrusted to them.

4. Council members must be trained in self-assessment procedures covering: the quality assurance system; the process and cycle of educational quality assessment; self-assessment guidelines; domestic and international self-assessment experience; techniques such as document review, interviews, observation, group discussion, surveys, and report writing techniques.

5. The Self-Assessment Council may request the Principal to hire consultants to assist the Council in implementing self-assessment activities. Consultants must hold a master's degree or higher, have knowledge of quality assurance and assessment, self-assessment, and necessary techniques for implementing self-assessment.

Article 10. Steps to implement self-assessment activities

1. Develop a self-assessment plan.

2. Collect information and evidence. Process and analyze the collected information and evidence.

3. Write a self-assessment report.

4. Publish the self-assessment report internally within the educational institution.

5. Implement activities following the completion of the self-assessment report.

Article 11. Self-Assessment Plan

1. The educational institution shall develop a self-assessment plan.

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

a) Objectives and scope of the self-assessment period;

b) Members of the self-assessment council;

c) Specific assignment of responsibilities for each member of the council, identifying tasks corresponding to each standard, start and end times, the main person responsible and those who will assist;

d) Self-assessment tools;

đ) Identification of information and evidence to be collected;

e) Anticipated resources and the time points at which these resources need to be mobilized during the implementation of self-assessment;

g) Timeline: clearly specify the necessary duration for implementation and the schedule for specific activities during the self-assessment process.

Article 12. Information and Evidence

1. Information is documentation used to support and illustrate findings in the educational institution's self-assessment report. Information is collected from various sources to ensure reliability and accuracy.

2. Evidence is information linked to criteria to determine the level of achievement of the criteria.

3. The self-assessment council assigns specific responsibilities to members of the council to organize the collection, processing, and analysis of information and evidence before writing the self-assessment report.

Article 13. Writing a Self-Assessment Report

1. The self-assessment report shall be presented concisely, clearly, accurately, and comprehensively about the activities of the educational institution, indicating strengths, weaknesses, difficulties, and recommendations for quality improvement measures, implementation plans, deadlines for completion, and the timing for the next self-assessment period.

2. Self-assessment results shall be presented sequentially according to quality assessment standards. Within each standard, they shall be presented sequentially according to each criterion. For each criterion, five parts must be written fully: Description and analysis of the educational institution's activities related to the criterion, accompanied by relevant information and evidence; Strengths and factors to be promoted; Weaknesses; Action Plan; Self-assessment of the level of achievement of the criterion.

3. Publish a draft of the self-assessment report internally within the educational institution for at least two weeks so that management staff, lecturers, teachers, employees, and students can read and provide comments.

4. Collect and process comments received after publishing the draft self-assessment report, finalize the self-assessment report.

Article 14. Storage and Use of the Self-Assessment Report Internally within the Educational Institution

1. After finalization, the self-assessment report shall be approved by the Director of the educational institution and stored together with all related files during the development and completion process.

2. A copy of the self-assessment report shall be kept in the library and may be borrowed and used according to the regulations of the Director.

Article 15. Activities after completing the self-assessment report

1. Implement quality improvement plans set out in the self-assessment report to improve and enhance educational quality.

2. Annually, the self-assessment report is updated based on the current status of the educational institution (in the form of an annual supplementary report) and stored in the library of the educational institution.

Chapter III
EXTERNAL EVALUATION AND RE-EVALUATION

Article 16. Conditions for an educational institution to be permitted to register for external evaluation

1. An educational institution is permitted to register for external evaluation with a quality assurance organization when it meets the following conditions:

a) It has completed the self-assessment report;

b) It has published the self-assessment report in accordance with point a, Clause 1, Article 6 of this Regulation. For educational institutions that require information confidentiality according to state regulations, the educational institution sends the self-assessment report to the managing authority to request permission to register for external evaluation.

2. Periodically every five years or upon the request of the state management agency for education, the educational institution is responsible for preparing the self-assessment report and registering for external evaluation to be reviewed and recognized as meeting the quality standards.

Article 17. Reviewing the self-assessment report and signing the external evaluation contract between the quality assurance organization and the educational institution

1. At the request of the educational institution, a quality assurance organization licensed by the Ministry of Education and Training signs a contract with the educational institution to review the self-assessment report. The educational institution submits the self-assessment report and related documents to the quality assurance organization for review.

2. Within thirty days from the date of signing the contract, the quality assurance organization reviews the self-assessment report and returns the review results to the educational institution in the following cases:

a) The self-assessment report does not meet the requirements regarding form and content. The educational institution needs to continue improving;

b) The self-assessment report meets the requirements. External evaluation can be implemented.

3. In the case where the self-assessment report meets the requirements, the quality assurance organization and the educational institution agree to sign the external evaluation contract.

4. The contract for reviewing the self-assessment report and the external evaluation contract between the quality assurance organization and the educational institution are carried out in accordance with the provisions of economic contract law.

Article 18. External Evaluation Process

The external evaluation process includes:

1. Establishing the external evaluation team.

2. Steps to implement external evaluation activities.

Article 19. Establishing the External Evaluation Team

1. The external evaluation team, consisting of five to seven members appointed by the Director of the quality assurance organization, includes:

a) The team leader is a leader (or former leader) of a university, academy, college, or vocational college corresponding to the evaluated educational institution, or a leader (or former leader) at the department level, with experience in implementing external evaluation activities, holding a Quality Assurance Inspector Card. The team leader is responsible for directing the team's activities;

b) The secretary and a permanent member of the external evaluation team are individuals knowledgeable about quality assurance, holding a Quality Assurance Inspector Card. The secretary assists the team leader in implementing activities and preparing the team's report. The permanent member assists the secretary in helping the team leader prepare and implement external evaluation activities;

c) The remaining members consist of two to four experts from educational institutions, state management agencies for education and training, social organizations, or employers corresponding to the field of training of the evaluated educational institution, holding a Quality Assurance Inspector Card or having completed a training program for inspectors according to the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training. Members are responsible for performing tasks assigned by the team leader.

2. Standards for members of the external evaluation team:

a) Having good character, integrity, honesty, and objectivity; having sufficient health to perform assigned tasks;

b) Having ten or more years of teaching or educational management experience at universities or vocational colleges; in the case of team members who are employers, they do not need teaching experience but must have at least five years of business management experience;

c) Having a labor contract working for the quality assurance organization;

d) Having a commitment letter with the quality assurance organization stating that they have not worked at the educational institution being evaluated before or now; there is no capital contribution, share purchase, bond purchase relationship; no relatives (father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters) are members of the leadership board of the educational institution.

3. Before establishing the external evaluation team, the quality assurance organization is responsible for notifying the educational institution of the proposed team list. The educational institution has the right to request the quality assurance organization to change one or more team members if there is evidence that this member has had a conflict of interest with the educational institution, but may not suggest or propose other individuals to join the external evaluation team.

After ten working days from receiving the proposed list, if the educational institution does not provide feedback, it is considered to have agreed with the proposed list of the quality assurance organization.

Article 20. Steps for Implementing External Evaluation

1. The implementation of external evaluation shall only be carried out after the quality assurance organization and the educational institution have signed an external evaluation contract and the external evaluation team has been established in accordance with Article 19 of this Regulation.

2. The external evaluation activities include the following steps:

a) Reviewing self-assessment files:

The external evaluation team studies the self-assessment report and related files of the educational institution; collects and processes information and evidence related to the quality assessment standards;

b) Preliminary survey at the educational institution;

c) Formal survey at the educational institution;

d) Drafting the external evaluation report and sending it to the educational institution for comments:

- The draft external evaluation report must be approved by at least two-thirds of the members of the team;

- The external evaluation team, through the quality assurance organization, sends the draft external evaluation report to the educational institution for comments within fifteen working days from the date the educational institution receives the draft report.

e) Finalizing the external evaluation report:

- Within fifteen working days from the date of receiving feedback from the educational institution or from the expiration date of the educational institution's response period, the external evaluation team, through the quality assurance organization, sends a notification letter to the educational institution informing them of the opinions that have been adopted or reserved. In cases where opinions are reserved, the reasons must be clearly stated;

- The external evaluation team finalizes the external evaluation report and submits the report along with related files (if any) to the Director of the quality assurance organization for the quality assurance organization to officially send the external evaluation report to the educational institution and request termination of the contract.

3. The external evaluation team is responsible for keeping confidential information related to the content of work and evaluation results until the quality assurance organization officially sends the external evaluation report to the educational institution.

Article 21. Re-evaluation of External Evaluation Results

1. Within ten working days from the date of receipt of the external evaluation report and the request for contract termination from the quality assurance organization, the educational institution has the right to request the quality assurance organization to re-evaluate the external evaluation results when the following issues arise simultaneously:

a) The external evaluation results lead to the educational institution not meeting the requirements stipulated in Clause 4 of Article 27 of this Regulation as expected by the educational institution;

b) The educational institution does not agree with part or all of the external evaluation report of the external evaluation team.

2. The re-evaluation team of the external evaluation results is established by the quality assurance organization with a number and composition of members meeting the requirements of the external evaluation team. Members who participated in the external evaluation team at the educational institution will not participate in the re-evaluation team.

3. The re-evaluation team is responsible for reviewing the files and working documents of the external evaluation team, discussing with members of the external evaluation team; conducting surveys at the educational institution, discussing with the leadership of the educational institution, the Self-Assessment Council, and writing a re-evaluation report on the external evaluation results.

4. The re-evaluation results are considered the final conclusion of the quality assurance organization regarding the educational institution. The educational institution is responsible for paying all costs for the re-evaluation of the external evaluation results through an economic contract with the quality assurance organization.

Article 22. Utilization of External Assessment Results and Reassessment

The results of external assessment and reassessment (if applicable) shall be used as the basis for educational institutions to implement improvement plans and enhance educational quality, and for the Education Quality Accreditation Council of the education quality accreditation organization to review, propose recognition or non-recognition of the educational institution's compliance with educational quality standards.

Article 23. Responsibilities of Educational Institutions Regarding External Assessment and Reassessment (if applicable)

1. Prepare complete files and data related to the operations of the educational institution, other necessary conditions to serve the external assessment and reassessment work (if applicable).

2. Assign a leader from the educational institution and a dedicated staff member to act as the point of contact for the external assessment team and reassessment team (if applicable).

3. Cooperate, exchange, and discuss with the external evaluation team about the research results of the self-assessment report and the survey results of the team at the educational institution.

4. Within fifteen working days from the date of receiving the draft report of the external assessment, the educational institution has the responsibility to send a document to the education quality accreditation organization clearly stating their agreement or disagreement with the draft external assessment report.

In case of disagreement with the draft external assessment report, the reasons must be clearly stated along with supporting evidence. If the deadline is exceeded without the educational institution providing feedback, it will be considered that the educational institution agrees with the draft external assessment report.

After agreeing with the external assessment result or reassessment result, the educational institution sends the education quality accreditation organization a document requesting consideration for recognition of compliance with educational quality standards.

Chapter IV
REVIEW OF EDUCATIONAL QUALITY ASSESSMENT RESULTS

Article 24. Education Quality Accreditation Council of the Education Quality Accreditation Organization

The functions, tasks, authorities, composition, and principles of operation of the Education Quality Accreditation Council of the education quality accreditation organization shall be implemented according to the regulations of the Minister of Education and Training regarding the establishment and dissolution conditions, tasks, and authorities of the education quality accreditation organization.

Article 25. Review Documentation for Educational Quality Assessment Results

1. The review documentation for educational quality assessment results includes: self-assessment report; external assessment report; the educational institution's document proposing public disclosure of the external assessment results and requesting recognition of compliance with educational quality standards; the educational institution's feedback document on the external assessment report; the external assessment team's document sent to the educational institution regarding the adoption or retention of opinions; reassessment report (if applicable); summary report of self-assessment, external assessment, and reassessment results (if applicable); document summarizing issues to be focused on in discussions.

2. The secretariat assists the Council in planning the review of educational quality assessment results, preparing the review documentation, and sending the review documentation to Council members at least fifteen working days before the meeting.

Article 26. Process for Reviewing Educational Quality Assessment Results

The process for reviewing educational quality assessment results by the Council is carried out in the following sequence:

1. A full meeting of the Council chaired by the Chairman or Vice-Chairman authorized to chair the meeting to perform the following tasks:

a) Listen to the summary report of self-assessment, external evaluation, and re-evaluation results (if applicable) and issues to be focused on in discussions;

b) Discuss the contents: Self-assessment results; external assessment results, reassessment of external assessment results (if applicable); draft resolution of the Council on reviewing educational quality assessment results;

c) Approve recommendations of the Council regarding requests for the educational institution to address existing shortcomings and continue to improve and enhance educational quality;

d) The Council conducts a secret ballot to approve the resolution on reviewing educational quality assessment results.

2. Within ten working days from the date of the review results, the education quality accreditation organization has the responsibility to send the educational institution applying for quality accreditation the resolution on reviewing educational quality assessment results, and the Council's recommendations regarding requests for the educational institution to address existing shortcomings and continue to improve and enhance educational quality.

3. For cases where there has not been at least one graduating class of students, the educational institution uses the review results of the educational quality assessment to continue improving and enhancing the school's educational quality. For cases where there has been at least one graduating class of students, within twenty working days from the date of receipt of the documents stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article, the educational institution sends a feedback document to the education quality accreditation organization in one of the following three scenarios:

a) Agreeing with the content of the resolution and the Council's recommendations; requesting the education quality accreditation organization to consider recognizing the educational institution's compliance with educational quality standards and issuing an accreditation certificate for educational quality;

b) Agreeing with the content of the resolution and the Council's recommendations; the educational institution has a plan to address existing shortcomings and continue to improve and enhance educational quality to apply for educational quality accreditation in the near future;

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

4. For cases specified in Point a, Clause 3 of this Article, within ten working days from the date of receipt of the educational institution's document, the education quality accreditation organization publicly discloses the external assessment results, the content of the resolution, and the Council's recommendations on its electronic information website. Thirty days after the announcement, if there are no complaints or accusations, the education quality accreditation organization issues a decision and grants the educational institution an accreditation certificate for educational quality; if there are complaints or accusations, the education quality accreditation organization reviews the entire process and review documentation for educational quality assessment results before deciding whether to issue or not issue an accreditation certificate for educational quality to the educational institution.

5. For cases specified in Point b, Clause 3 of this Article, the education quality accreditation organization has the responsibility to explain the content of the resolution and the Council's recommendations when requested by the educational institution; advise and assist the educational institution in improving and enhancing educational quality.

6. In the case provided for in point c, Clause 3 of this Article, the organization conducting educational quality assessment shall have a plan to review the content of the resolution and the recommendations of the Council at the next regular meeting according to the procedure stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article and proceed with subsequent steps as prescribed in this Article.

Chapter V
RECOGNITION OF MEETING EDUCATIONAL QUALITY STANDARDS

Article 27. Conditions for Recognition of Meeting Educational Quality Standards

An educational institution shall be recognized as meeting educational quality standards when it satisfies the following conditions:

1. It has graduated at least one cohort of students.

2. It has been externally evaluated and submitted a request to the organization conducting educational quality assessment to consider recognition of meeting educational quality standards. For educational institutions required to maintain confidentiality of information under state regulations, the institution shall submit the external evaluation results to the managing authority in writing and simultaneously request consideration for recognition of meeting educational quality standards.

3. The external evaluation results, the content of the resolution, and the recommendations of the quality assessment council shall be publicly announced on the website of the organization conducting educational quality assessment as provided for in point a, Clause 2, Article 6 of this Regulation. For educational institutions required to maintain confidentiality of information under state regulations, the external evaluation results, the content of the resolution, and the recommendations of the council shall be sent to the managing authority at least 30 days prior to the organization's consideration for recognition to solicit consensus.

4. The educational institution must meet at least 80% of the criteria requirements, with each standard having at least one criterion meeting the requirements based on the educational quality assessment results of the quality assessment council.

Article 28. Certificate of Educational Quality Assessment

1. Based on the recommendation of the quality assessment council, the Director of the organization conducting educational quality assessment shall issue a decision and grant the Certificate of Educational Quality Assessment to the educational institution that meets all the conditions specified in Article 27 of this Regulation.

2. The Certificate of Educational Quality Assessment is valid for a period of five years from the date of issuance, clearly stating the percentage of criteria met.

3. The Certificate of Educational Quality Assessment recognizing meeting educational quality standards shall be designed and printed by the organization conducting educational quality assessment after registering the certificate model with the Ministry of Education and Training.

Article 29. Responsibilities of Educational Institutions Recognized as Meeting Educational Quality Standards

1. Publicly announce the Certificate of Educational Quality Assessment in accordance with point b, Clause 1, Article 6 of this Regulation.

2. Report to the Ministry of Education and Training and the managing authority the results of the educational quality assessment, plans for improvement, and enhancement of educational quality after receiving the Certificate of Educational Quality Assessment.

3. Maintain and develop conditions ensuring training quality. Implement the recommendations of the quality assessment council regarding the rectification of any deficiencies (if any) and continue to improve educational quality.

4. Preserve and promote the results of the educational quality assessment recognized throughout the entire validity period of the Certificate of Educational Quality Assessment. If the quality is not maintained as recognized, depending on the nature and degree of violation, it may be reprimanded, warned, or have the Certificate of Educational Quality Assessment revoked.

5. Write an interim report at the midpoint, two and a half years after being recognized as meeting educational quality standards, and submit it to the Ministry of Education and Training, the managing authority, and the organization conducting educational quality assessment.

Article 30. Revocation of the Education Quality Certification

In cases where the Education Quality Certification is still valid but the educational institution violates the law or fails to meet the requirements of the education quality assessment standards, the state management agency for education shall propose that the Director of the education quality certification organization decide to revoke the Education Quality Certification.

Article 31. Responsibilities of the Education Quality Certification Organization

1. Publicly announce the results of external assessments, the content of the resolution and recommendations of the Education Quality Certification Council on the electronic information website of the education quality certification organization in accordance with point a, Clause 2, Article 6 of this Regulation.

2. Publicly announce the Education Quality Certification of educational institutions in accordance with point b, Clause 2, Article 6 of this Regulation.

3. Issue a decision to revoke the Education Quality Certification of educational institutions upon the proposal of the state management agency for education in accordance with Article 30 of this Regulation.

Chapter VI
IMPLEMENTATION

Article 32. The Testing and Education Quality Certification Agency

1. Develop plans for education quality certification according to the overall plan of the education sector.

2. Guide, supervise, inspect, and evaluate the implementation of regulations on educational quality assurance at quality assurance organizations, educational institutions, and related units.

3. Publicize the list of education quality certification organizations permitted to operate quality certification activities in accordance with Clause 3, Article 6 of this Regulation.

4. Propose that the Director of the education quality certification organization decide to revoke the Education Quality Certification of educational institutions in accordance with Article 30 of this Regulation.

Article 33. Educational Institutions

1. Develop plans to strive to meet education quality standards for each phase. Establish a specialized unit responsible for quality assurance work to lead and coordinate with other units to implement these plans.

1. Implement self-assessment procedures as stipulated in Article 7 of this Regulation. After completing the self-assessment report, encourage cross-evaluation activities (peer evaluation) among educational institutions to enhance the quality of the self-assessment report.
2. Bear responsibility for external assessment, re-assessment, and recognition of meeting education quality standards as prescribed in Articles 23 and 29 of this Regulation.
3. Annually report to the supervising authority and the Ministry of Education and Training on the results of implementing improvement and quality enhancement plans; subject to inspection, examination, supervision, and evaluation by competent authorities.
4. Have the right to lodge complaints and denunciations in accordance with the law regarding actions, decisions, and conclusions of organizations and individuals conducting education quality certification activities if there is evidence proving that such actions, decisions, and conclusions are not in compliance with the law.

Article 34. Education Quality Certification Organizations

1. Implement external assessment procedures and recognize educational institutions as meeting education quality standards as prescribed in Chapters III, IV, and V of this Regulation. "7. A flexible power plant is a thermal power plant using reciprocating internal combustion engines (RICE) or aeroderivative gas turbines (Aero-GT) with fast start-up capabilities, designed in modular form to generate electricity for balancing capacity and maintaining power system stability."2. Annually report to the Ministry of Education and Training on the results of implementing quality certification work; subject to inspection, examination, supervision, and evaluation by competent authorities.

2. Annually, report to the Ministry of Education and Training on the results of implementing educational quality assurance work; be subject to inspection, examination, supervision, and evaluation by competent authorities.

Article 35. Operating Expenses

1. The financial sources for educational institutions to fund quality assurance activities include state budget funds and non-state budget revenues as prescribed. Revenue and expenditure shall be carried out in accordance with the regulations of the competent authority (for budget-related revenue and expenditure) and in accordance with the internal expenditure rules of the educational institution (for non-budget related revenue and expenditure).

2. Annually, educational institutions prepare budgets for funding quality assurance activities.

3. Educational institutions are permitted to accept lawful sponsorships from organizations and individuals both domestically and internationally to support activities related to ensuring and assessing educational quality./.