OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT FOR THREE ACADEMIC PROGRAMS UNDER AUN-QA STANDARDS IN 2025

On the morning of May 13, 2025, the University of Transport and Communications held the opening ceremony for the external assessment of three academic programs during the 446th assessment session according to the standards of the ASEAN University Network Quality Assurance (AUN-QA).

Prof. Dr. Huynh Van Chuong – Director of Quality Control Department, Ministry of Education and Training – and the university leadership took a commemorative photo with the AUN external assessment team.

The program was attended by Prof. Dr. Huynh Van Chuong – Director of Quality Management Department, Ministry of Education and Training.

The AUN external assessment team was led by Prof. Dr. Gerardo L. Largoza – AUN-QA Senior Assessor and Chief assessor. 

From the University of Transport and Communications, participants included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Hung – President; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Chuong – Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the University Council; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Hoai Duc – Vice President; along with leaders of functional departments, staff, lecturers, and students from the units whose academic programs were under assessment. 

Overview of the opening session

The 446th AUN-QA assessment session in 2025 covers three undergraduate programs at the University of Transport and Communications: the Undergraduate Program in Power Mechanical Engineering; the Undergraduate Program in Mechatronics Engineering; and the Advanced Training Program in Civil Engineering, specializing in Transport Construction Engineering. The assessment takes place from May 11 to 15, 2025, at both campuses of the University in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Hung – President of the university – delivered a speech.

In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Hung – President of the University – expressed his honor in welcoming the external assessment team from the ASEAN University Network – Quality Assurance (AUN-QA) to the University of Transport and Communications (UTC) to conduct the assessment of three academic programs.

With 80 years of establishment and development, UTC has always been a cradle for nurturing high-quality human resources for the transport sector and for the country. In this new development phase, the University has identified a strategic vision to become a national key university in the field of transport, with the goal of deep integration into the regional and global higher education landscape.

Participating in the AUN-QA external assessment is a practical step toward ensuring and enhancing the quality of academic programs, aiming to build a reputable and standardized higher education system that stands alongside leading universities in Southeast Asia.

In the coming years, in addition to its traditional strengths and established disciplines, the University will focus on three key areas:

·  Advanced training and research in high-speed railway systems to meet the nation's urgent need for modern and sustainable infrastructure development.

·  Training high-quality human resources in microelectronics and semiconductor technologies to support the national strategy for developing the semiconductor industry and driving digital transformation.

·  Developing science, technology, and innovation to promote knowledge transfer and address practical challenges in the transport sector and society.

Simultaneously, the university will continue to strengthen faculty capacity, modernize facilities, promote international cooperation, and create a dynamic and creative academic environment for learners.

This external assessment is not only a quality accreditation activity but also an opportunity to learn and receive valuable recommendations from experienced regional experts. Based on that, the university commits to seriously adopting and implementing continuous improvement measures to further enhance training quality.

Prof. Dr. Gerardo L. Largoza – Chief assessor delivered a speech.

On behalf of the AUN-QA assessment team, Prof. Dr. Gerardo L. Largoza – AUN-QA Chief Assessor acknowledged and expressed his appreciation for the University’s positive contributions to the overall activities of AUN and its ongoing commitment to the shared mission of improving the quality of academic programs among AUN-QA member institutions. He also thanked the University of Transport and Communications for placing its trust in AUN-QA, and expressed his hope for continued collaboration in the future. He affirmed his belief that the feedback and recommendations provided by the assessment team will support the University in enhancing the quality of its education and training, thereby reinforcing its reputation and brand. This, in turn, will contribute to the broader development of education in the region and globally.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Hung – President – presented souvenirs and took commemorative photos with members of the assessor team

According to the schedule, the assessors will review the supporting evidence provided in the self-assessment reports and hold working sessions with faculty leadership of the assessed programs; program leaders, self-assessment report teams, and representatives of various stakeholders of the three programs, including students, alumni, lecturers, support staff, employers, and industry partners. These activities aim to evaluate the quality of the programs based on AUN-QA standards, identify existing gaps, and propose solutions to support the University in developing improvement plans and actions to further enhance the quality of education and training, ensuring that its graduates meet the needs of society.

Participants took commemorative photos with the AUN expert team.

 

Some working photos of the AUN expert team

Visiting the university’s facilities and several departments

Meetings with the interviewee groups

ICDS