Cases where higher education accreditors are not allowed to join external evaluation teams or education accreditation councils in Vietnam

Cases where higher education accreditors are not allowed to join external evaluation teams or education accreditation councils in Vietnam (Internet image)

Regarding this issue, LawNet responded as follows:

1. Qualifications of higher education accreditors in Vietnam

Specifically, in Article 4 of Circular 14/2022/TT-BGDDT, qualifications of higher education accreditors are as follows:

- Have good moral qualities, stay honest, impartial and fair in work.

- Have professional and scientific working attitude and style; responsible and cooperative in work; abide by the law.

- Have a deep and wide understanding and practical experience in quality assurance and accreditation of higher education and pedagogical colleges; knowledgeable about policies and laws on higher education and pedagogical colleges;

Have the ability to independently and autonomously make comments, assessments and recommendations on quality assurance and accreditation of educational institutions and training programs according to the standards issued by the Minister of Education and Training.

- Have 5 years or more working as a lecturer or working in the field of management of higher education, pedagogical colleges.

- Have a valid accreditor’s card.

2. Cases where higher education accreditors are not allowed to join external evaluation teams or education accreditation councils in Vietnam

According to Clause 1, Article 6 of Circular 14/2022/TT-BGDDT, an accreditor may not be a member of an external evaluation team or an education accreditation council if:

- He/she has currently worked for an investment organization or individual of a training institution registered for education accreditation;

- He/she has a spouse, father, mother, child, biological brother, sister, or younger brother; father, mother, brother, sister, brother of the spouse; guardian; ward (collectively referred to as relatives) who are working or studying at a training institution registered for education accreditation;

- He/she has been a learner, employee at a training institution registered for education accreditation;

- During the 24 months preceding the decision to establish the external evaluation team, he/she has made a self-assessment and provided it for the training institution registered for education accreditation.

In addition, accreditors are not allowed to join external evaluation teams or education accreditation councils when they are related to complaints and recommendations that are being considered and resolved by competent authorities according to the regulations of law.

3. Tasks, powers and responsibilities of higher education accreditors in Vietnam

3.1. Tasks and powers of higher education accreditors in Vietnam

Higher education accreditors have the following tasks and powers:

- Join the external evaluation team, the education accreditation council of the education accreditation organization as prescribed;

- Stay independent in professional opinion, honest, objective, fair, transparent in performing tasks and powers;

- Other tasks and powers in accordance with relevant laws and regulations and a lawful agreement with the education accreditation organization.

(Clause 1, Article 5 of Circular 14/2022/TT-BGDDT)

3.2. Responsibilities of higher education accreditors in Vietnam

According to Clause 2, Article 5 of Circular 14/2022/TT-BGDDT, the responsibilities of higher education accreditors include:

- Preserve the quality, reputation and honor of the accreditors; comply with the laws and regulations of concerned authorities, organizations and units when performing education accreditation;

- During each 05 years (60 months) after the date of card issuance, the accreditor must participate in at least 02 (two) external evaluation teams and 01 (one) regular refresher course to improve professional capacity held by an accreditor training facility that meets the requirements of Clause 2, Article 8 of Circular 14/2022/TT-BGDDT, or 01 (one) refresher course to improve the professional capacity of accreditors held by the Ministry of Education and Training;

- Make explanations about education accreditation to regulatory bodies upon request.

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