Hoa Sen University Participates in the International Conference on “Implementing Internal Quality Assurance Systems – For A Sustainable Future of ASEAN Higher Education”
The International Conference on “Implementing Internal Quality Assurance Systems – For a Sustainable Future of ASEAN Higher Education” was held in Ho Chi Minh City from August 18 to 19, 2025. The event was jointly co-organized by Vietnam Education Quality Management Agency (VQA), Ministry of Education and Training (MOET), ASEAN University Network (AUN), the SEAMEO Regional Centre for Higher Education and Development (SEAMEO-RIHED), and collab with the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH). The conference gathered over 200 participants from higher education institutions (HEIs), including university leaders, policymakers, and top experts from Vietnam and abroad, in both hybrid and onsite format.
Dr. Phan Thi Viet Nam – Vice Provost of Hoa Sen University (HSU), led the HSU delegation together with senior leaders and quality assurance experts, actively contributed to the discussions. HSU’s participation reaffirmed its pioneering role in championing continuous improvement and advancing internal quality assurance (IQA) systems in alignment with both national and international accreditation standards. This commitment not only reflects the directive of the Prime Minister but also embodies HSU’s core values and its philosophy of liberal education.
During the two sessions, national and international delegates shared experiences and good practices to support higher education institutions (HEIs) in developing internal quality assurance (IQA) systems tailored to the unique contexts of their institutions. The ultimate objective was to enhance academic quality, nurture a sustainable culture of quality, and strengthen institutional adaptability to the evolving landscape of ASEAN higher education. The conference served not only as a platform for dialogue between Viet Nam and ASEAN countries on the implementation of IQA using the AUN-QA approach, but also as the occasion to introduce the newly developed AUN-QA IQA Assessment Toolkit. In addition, QA experts and leaders from various higher education institutions had the opportunity to exchange good practices, explore operational strategies, and reflect on valuable lessons that can further inform and elevate IQA practices across the region.
Deputy Minister Hoàng Minh Sơn emphasized: “We call upon ASEAN universities to work hand-in-hand in building a sustainable quality culture, for a dynamic, humane, and prosperous ASEAN higher education systems.”
In line with the objectives of the conference, HSU continues to strengthen and implement its IQA system, with a focus on applying IQA practices and the AUN-QA Management Toolkit in ways that are contextually relevant to the institution. These efforts are closely aligned with the university’s strategies for accreditation, internal assessment, and continuous improvement. Moreover, HSU proactively engages with governance models and best practices from other ASEAN universities, expanding its connections with the regional QA expert network to establish a solid foundation for collaboration and professional assessors. Looking back on its AUN-QA accreditation journey, HSU has achieved international accreditation standards for 12 programs and is committed to further expanding the number of accredited programs in the coming years.
The International Conference “Implementing Internal Quality Assurance Systems – For a Sustainable Future of ASEAN Higher Education” provided a prestigious platform where universities from Viet Nam and across ASEAN collectively affirmed their standing and expanded their influence on the global higher education landscape. At the same time, the event served as an opportunity to reinforce commitments to sustainable collaboration, transparency, and cohesion within the ASEAN higher education community in building a culture of quality assurance.
Building on the outcomes of the conference, HSU will translate these insights into concrete action plans, further nurturing a culture of quality and reaffirming its pioneering role within both the Vietnamese and ASEAN higher education ecosystems.
