In 2016, one of the most important events regarding education was the Prime Minister signing the enactment of the national education framework and the national qualifications framework. This was the first time Vietnam created a standardized and unified national qualifications framework and restructured its national education system, ensuring compatibility with the region and the world. It also strengthened compatibility between programs and qualifications.
Also in 2016, Vietnamese students earned 39 medals and awards at international Olympiads. In particular, this was the first year where all delegations achieved gold Medals, including a Gold Medal in Biology. With outstanding strengths in math and science, Vietnamese students ranked 8 out of 72 countries in the field of science after participating at the PISA international student assessment program.
2016 was the second year the Ministry of Education and Training held a common national high school exam. Meanwhile, it was the first time the Ministry of Education and Training announced a new testing method for 2017, which applied multiple choice testing for most subjects. 2016 was also when civil education was first brought into national exams for secondary students.
In the past year, the university educational system of Vietnam made efforts to meet international standards.
Quality inspection work was strengthened, with 6 universities being recognized for their quality educational standards, and 11 awaiting accreditation. 62 training programs have been inspected in accordance with international and regional standards.
“Quality accreditation confirms a university's ability for autonomy. When a program or a university is accredited, it gains the trust of students' parents and society, thus increasing the student population”, said associate professor Le Kim Hung, director of Da Nang University of Science and Technology.
Many universities in Vietnam have been ranked as top Asian universities. At the conference to find solutions to raise the quality of higher education, The MOET claimed that they will continue to synchronize solutions, especially in promoting autonomy to universities and the accreditation of higher education, thereby creating incentives for universities to develop.
