Quality accreditation: Enhancing the position of vocational schools

One of the solutions related to vocational education and training (VET) mentioned in the draft political report for submission to the Provincial Party Congress is “developing Dong Nai province into a regional center for a regional center for education and training, and VET”.

Students majoring in midwifery 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 “boost” to enhance the position of vocational schools, meeting the increasing demands of the labor market, helping Dong Nai become a regional hub of VET.

A necessary transformation for VET schools

Sonadezi College of Technology and Management (Long Hung ward) recently organized a ceremony to receive QA recognition for two training programs: Chinese Language and Hotel Management. Previously, in February 2025, the college was also recognized for QA of its VET institution.

Not only Sonadezi College, but also other VET institutions in the province have paid close attention to quality accreditation in recent times. The colleges view QA not as a mere “administrative procedure” but as an internal revolution, a necessary transformation in their development process.

For example, Dong Nai Medical College (Long Binh ward) currently trains seven college-level disciplines, including four key programs of an ASEAN-level key program (Nursing) and three national-level key programs (Pharmacy, Rehabilitation Technology, Medical Laboratory Technology). All these four programs have achieved QA with impressive scores ranging from 92 to 96/100.

Building institutions and training programs that meet VET standards will help Dong Nai establish its prestige and brand in the field of vocational training. When the schools are accredited for their quality, they become more attractive to students not only within the province but also nationwide and internationally, thereby attracting a large and high-quality enrollment source.

According to Dr. Nguyen Hong Quang, the school’s Principal, the accreditation process is not merely an evaluation but a valuable opportunity for the institution to systematically review all of its activities. The accreditation standards will help the VET institutions identify their own strengths to build upon  and weaknesses to address across all aspects: from curricula and teaching methods to facilities and equipment. Based on self-assessment and external evaluation results, VET institutions can develop concrete action plans to systematically improve and enhance quality.

“Achieving QA standards is a commitment of responsibility to students and society by ensuring the quality of graduates, giving employers confidence in the workforce quality,” affirmed Dr. Nguyen Hong Quang.

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

Dr. Bui Dinh Ninh, Principal of the school, said: Understanding the crucial importance of VET QA, the school has conducted self-assessment of its education quality since 2023 and planned external evaluation in 2024. However, by the end of 2024, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs revised the QA standards and criteria, and due to the ministry merger on March 1, 2025, the school has not conducted external evaluation. Its current challenge is awaiting guidance and new standards from the Ministry of Education and Training since VET is now under the ministry’s state management.

“In VET, achieving QA standards is not just about ‘having certification’ but carries deep significance for the schools, students, enterprises, and society. Therefore, after receiving guidance from the Ministry of Education and Training, the Estern College will promptly conduct external evaluation to be recognized as meeting VET QA standards,” shared Dr. Bui Dinh Ninh.

The foundation to make Dong Nai a regional hub of vocational education

Expressing agreement and enthusiasm for the province’s orientation to make Dong Nai a regional VET hub, leaders of the colleges also emphasized that implementing VET QA is a mandatory requirement and an important foundation.

According to Dr. Bui Dinh Ninh, when many VET institutions achieve accreditation standards, Dong Nai will become a reliable destination for students from neighboring provinces. Accredited programs help form a skilled workforce that meets national standards and approaches international benchmarks.

“This is a key factor for Dong Nai to provide high-quality human resources for the Southern key economic region, serving not only domestic needs but also aiming for sending guest workers  abroad. Accredited VET institutions also help promote international integration in vocational training, sustainable socio-economic development, and enhance the province’s political standing,” Dr. Ninh stated.

Dr. Nguyen Hong Quang added that building and renewing programs, investing in accredited facilities, plays a crucial role in making Dong Nai a VET hub supplying high-quality human resources, contributing to the country’s industrialization and modernization, improving material and spiritual living standards, and enhancing people’s quality of life. This is a core foundation to attract students, improve workforce quality, and meet the socio-economic development needs of the province and region.

Dr. Nguyen Hong Quang further shared: “Building institutions and accredited training programs will help Dong Nai build its prestige and a brand in vocational training. Achieving VET standards also lays the groundwork for provincial training institutions to strengthen international cooperation. When the training programs meet standards, the schools can easily collaborate with foreign partners for academic exchange, technology transfer, and even skilled labor export, thereby promoting provincial development. In fact, many of the college’s graduates are currently working in Japan, Germany, Australia; and many Lao and Cambodian students have graduated from the school and returned to work in major hospitals in their own countries.”

By Hai Yen - Translated by Minh Hanh, Thu Ha