(DLR) – Amid the current challenges and demands for innovation in higher education, the establishment and operation of Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) systems have become increasingly essential. To bridge the gap between theoretical understanding and practical implementation of IQA in higher education institutions, while fostering the development of effective and sustainable IQA models in Vietnam and across the region, the Quality Management Department (Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam), in collaboration with the ASEAN University Network (AUN), the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre for Higher Education and Development (SEAMEO-RIHED), and the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), organized an international conference under the theme: “Implementing Internal Quality Assurance Systems – For the Sustainable Future of ASEAN Higher Education.”

The conference was held over two days, from August 18 to 19, 2025, at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), in a hybrid format with both on-site and online participation. The online sessions connected member universities of the ASEAN University Network (AUN). The event brought together more than 200 participants, including international quality assurance experts as well as leaders from higher education institutions in Vietnam and abroad.

The primary goal of the conference was to promote effective and sustainable Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) models in Vietnam and across the ASEAN region. Demonstrating its commitment to enhancing higher education quality in the region, Quy Nhon University was represented by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Doan Duc Tung, Rector, and Dr. Nguyen Tien Phung, Head of the Testing and Quality Assurance Office, who attended in person, along with the university’s Vice Rectors and other unit heads, who joined online.

Deputy Minister Hoang Minh Son delivered his speech at the opening session.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son emphasized: “This is an important occasion for us to exchange ideas, strengthen collaboration, and shape the future of a strong ASEAN higher education system, founded upon genuine internal quality assurance and the continuous improvement of each higher education institution.”

The Deputy Minister also acknowledged the significant role and contributions of the ASEAN University Network-Quality Assurance (AUN-QA), as well as Mr. Choltis, the former Executive Director of the network. He recalled their official engagement with the Ministry of Education and Training in 2021, which laid the groundwork for establishing a legal framework that has enabled AUN-QA to conduct external quality assessments in Vietnam.

QNU staff members attended the conference online.

The Deputy Minister reaffirmed his commitment to sustainable, transparent, and regionally connected cooperation in advancing quality assurance for higher education. In the coming period, the Ministry of Education and Training has identified quality assurance as a shared responsibility of the entire system-moving beyond accreditation alone towards the development of a “quality ecosystem” grounded in internal evaluation, impartial monitoring, open data, and social feedback.

Deputy Minister Hoang Minh Son noted: “The draft revised Law on Higher Education officially recognizes internal quality assurance (IQA) systems as a legal obligation of higher education institutions-operated with transparency, stakeholder participation, compliance with national standards, and alignment with international practices. Specifically, the law will clearly define IQA as the foundation, accreditation as an external evaluation tool, while ranking and post-assessment serve as instruments of social monitoring, thereby shifting towards evidence-based governance instead of administrative control.”

He also called on universities across the ASEAN region to work together in building a sustainable culture of quality, in pursuit of a higher education community that is dynamic, humane, and prosperous.
Over the two working days, the conference featured a rich agenda of professional activities, including sessions on sharing practical experiences, group discussions on designing IQA strategies, systems, and processes, as well as the development of tailored implementation toolkits for individual institutions.

The conference was structured into two main sessions to address the diverse needs of higher education institutions in the region. The plenary session, held on the morning of August 18, 2025, was open to all participating institutions, both in-person and online. It featured key topics such as an overview of the Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) framework, the IQA Toolkit, achievements and challenges in IQA implementation, and practical insights shared by experts from ASEAN and Australia.

Dr. Nguyen Tien Phung, Head of the Testing and Quality Assurance Office (QNU), presented the group’s discussion outcomes on factors affecting Internal Quality Assurance models in higher education and proposed several improvement solutions.

Following the plenary, the technical deep-dive sessions took place on the afternoon of August 18 and the morning of August 19, 2025, exclusively for on-site participants. These technical workshops were organized into specialized groups, focusing on strengthening institutional capacity to implement IQA systems tailored to the specific conditions of each university.

The distinction between the plenary and technical sessions not only offered flexible participation formats but also ensured both depth and effectiveness in disseminating knowledge and practical experience on internal quality assurance.

The conference has served as a prestigious academic forum for higher education institutions in Vietnam and the region to share experiences and reaffirm their commitment to building sustainable quality assurance systems, thereby contributing to elevating ASEAN higher education on the global map.

Participants took a commemorative photo with the panel of experts.

The expected outcomes include raising awareness among university leaders about the role of Internal Quality Assurance (IQA), fostering a network of collaboration among institutions, and developing a set of preliminary monitoring indicators to track the progress of IQA implementation.