Reforming university accreditation, streamlining evaluation standards.

The new regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) on university quality accreditation have streamlined the evaluation standards from 25 standards and 111 criteria to 15 standards and 60 criteria.

The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) has just issued Circular No. 20/2026/TT-BGDĐT regulating the quality accreditation of higher education institutions, replacing Circular No. 12/2017/TT-BGDĐT.

This circular marks a significant shift in the thinking regarding the management of higher education quality, in line with the spirit of the amended Higher Education Law of 2025.

Candidates should research the university's admissions information.

The newly issued circular aims to fundamentally reform quality accreditation, shifting from a "meeting standards" approach to a "continuous quality improvement" approach, aligning with regional and international standards, thereby enhancing the quality, efficiency, and competitiveness of Vietnam's higher education system.

One of the notable innovations is the streamlining of the evaluation standards: from 25 standards and 111 criteria to 15 standards and 60 criteria, structured into three main groups: Strategy, Systems, and Results. This approach reduces duplication, focuses on core requirements, and fully reflects the quality management cycle of higher education institutions.

The circular clearly establishes a shift from accreditation based on "compliance with regulations" to "continuous quality improvement." Accordingly, quality is assessed not only at the level of meeting minimum standards, but also at the extent to which educational institutions achieve their own objectives, in accordance with legal requirements and societal needs.

Notably, the Circular stipulates three assessment levels: achieved, conditionally achieved, and not achieved. The "conditionally achieved" mechanism allows educational institutions time to improve criteria that are still lacking, ensuring both the maintenance of quality standards and the opportunity for timely improvement.

Furthermore, the new circular strengthens requirements for openness and transparency: educational institutions must publish self-assessment reports and external evaluation reports, enhancing accountability to society. Post-assessment procedures and mechanisms for revoking accreditation certificates have also been added to ensure that quality is genuinely maintained.

Nguyen Hoai

Source: https://daidoanket.vn/doi-moi-kiem-dinh-dai-hoc-tinh-gon-tieu-chuan-danh-gia.html