Quality accreditation: Enhancing the status of vocational schools

Midwifery students at Dong Nai Medical College (Long Binh ward, Dong Nai province) during class. Photo: Hai Yen

Quality accreditation (QA) is not only a mandatory requirement but also a "push" to improve the position of vocational schools, meet the increasing demands of the labor market, and turn Dong Nai into a regional vocational education center.

Necessary transformation of vocational schools

Sonadezi College of Technology and Management (Long Hung Ward) recently organized a ceremony to receive accreditation for two training programs: Chinese and Hotel Management. Previously, in February 2025, this school was also recognized for accreditation for vocational training institutions.

Not only Sonadezi College, the quality assurance activities have been focused on by vocational training institutions in the province in recent times. Colleges all consider quality assurance not as an “administrative procedure” but as an internal revolution, a necessary transformation in the development process.

Typically, Dong Nai Medical College (Long Binh Ward) is currently training 7 college-level majors, including 4 key majors including 1 ASEAN key major (Nursing), 3 national key majors (Pharmacy, Rehabilitation Technology, Medical Testing Technology). All 4 majors have achieved training program accreditation with impressive scores of 92-96/100 points.

Building facilities and training programs that meet vocational education standards will help Dong Nai build its reputation and brand in the field of vocational training. When schools with recognized quality are recognized, they will become more attractive to students not only in the province but also nationwide and internationally, thereby attracting abundant and high-quality enrollment sources.

According to Dr. Nguyen Hong Quang, Principal of the school, the accreditation process is not only an assessment but also a valuable opportunity for the school to systematically review all of its activities. Accordingly, the accreditation standards will help vocational training institutions recognize the strengths that need to be promoted and the limitations that need to be overcome in all aspects: from training programs, teaching methods, to facilities and equipment. At the same time, based on the results of self-assessment and external assessment, vocational training institutions can develop specific action plans to systematically improve and enhance quality.

“Achieving KĐCL standards is a commitment of responsibility to learners and the whole society through ensuring output quality, helping employers feel secure about the quality of human resources” - Dr. Nguyen Hong Quang affirmed.

At Eastern College ( Binh Phuoc ward), the school currently trains 10 college-level occupations, 12 intermediate-level occupations, 27 elementary occupations, and 30 short-term training topics.

Dr. Bui Dinh Ninh, Principal of the school, said: Realizing that vocational education quality accreditation is extremely important and necessary, the school has conducted self-assessment of education quality since 2023 and plans to organize external assessment in 2024. However, by the end of 2024, the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs will re-draft the standards and criteria for vocational education quality accreditation, and from March 1, 2025, due to the merger of the Ministry, the school has not yet conducted external assessment. The current difficulty for the school is waiting for instructions and new criteria and standards from the Ministry of Education and Training because vocational education is now under the state management of the Ministry of Education and Training.

“In vocational education, achieving accreditation standards is not just about “having a certificate” but has many profound meanings for schools, learners, businesses and society. Therefore, after receiving guidance from the Ministry of Education and Training, Eastern College will quickly promote external assessment to be recognized as meeting accreditation standards for vocational education” - Dr. Bui Dinh Ninh shared.

The foundation to make Dong Nai a regional vocational education center

Expressing agreement and excitement with the province's orientation to turn Dong Nai into a regional vocational education center, leaders of colleges also said that implementing vocational education accreditation is a mandatory requirement and an important foundation.

According to Dr. Bui Dinh Ninh, when there are many vocational training establishments that meet accreditation standards, Dong Nai will become a reliable destination for students from neighboring provinces. Standardized training programs help form a workforce with skills and expertise that meet national and international standards.

“This is the key factor for Dong Nai to provide high-quality human resources for the entire Southern key economic region, not only serving the domestic market but also aiming to send workers to work abroad. Standardized vocational training institutions also help promote international integration in vocational training, sustainable socio-economic development and strengthen the political position of the province,” Dr. Ninh expressed.

Dr. Nguyen Hong Quang said: Building and innovating programs and investing in standard facilities play a key role in making Dong Nai a center for vocational education, providing high-quality human resources, contributing to the process of industrialization and modernization of the country; improving material and spiritual life, improving the quality of people's lives. This is the core foundation to attract learners, improve the quality of human resources and meet the needs of socio-economic development of the province and the region.

Dr. Nguyen Hong Quang added: “Building facilities and training programs that meet vocational training standards will help Dong Nai build prestige and brand in the field of vocational training. Meeting vocational training standards is also a premise for the province's training facilities to strengthen international cooperation. When training programs meet standards, schools can easily connect with foreign partners for academic exchange, technology transfer, and even export highly skilled labor, thereby promoting the development of the province. In fact, there are currently many graduates from the school working in Japan, Germany, Australia...; at the same time, many Lao and Cambodian students have graduated from the school and returned to work at major hospitals in their home countries.”

Hai Yen

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/xa-hoi/202509/kiem-dinh-chat-luongnang-cao-vi-the-truong-nghe-28b3439/