On the morning of August 18, 2026, Vietnam–Korea University of Information and Communication Technology (VKU), The University of Danang, officially opened an external assessment of its training programmes according to AUN-QA standards. Taking place from August 17 to 20, 2026, the assessment marks an important step in VKU’s ongoing efforts to enhance training quality, strengthen international integration, and reaffirm its commitment to advanced higher education standards in the region.

Overview of the Opening Ceremony

Attending the opening ceremony, representatives from The University of Danang included Dr. Phan Minh Duc, Vice President, together with representatives of the University’s functional departments. Representing the AUN-QA assessment team were Assoc. Prof.  Chavalit Wongse-ek, AUN-QA Council Deputy Chairperson and Head of the Assessment Team; Prof. Dr. Yahaya Md. Sam; Prof. Dr. Arnel Onesimo O. Uy; Prof. Dr. Isabel Pefianco Martin; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aphichart Rodchanarowan; Dr. Yrika Marie R. Dusaran; and Ms. Jirachaya Saithong (Kam), AUN-QA Assessment Officer. From VKU were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Huynh Cong Phap, Rector; Vice Rectors Dr. Tran The Son and Dr. Huynh Ngoc Tho; leaders of the University’s units; together with faculty members, staff, and students.

Dr. Huynh Ngoc Tho, Vice Rector of VKU, delivers the opening remarks

In his opening remarks, Dr. Huynh Ngoc Tho, Vice Rector of VKU, expressed his sincere appreciation and pleasure in welcoming the international experts to VKU for the assessment of three training programmes. Providing an overview of VKU’s establishment, development orientation, and core values, Dr. Huynh Ngoc Tho emphasized the University’s focus on developing high-quality human resources in digital technology and digital economy, placing learners at the center of education while strengthening connections between training, practical applications, industry, and the international environment.

VKU is a member university of The University of Danang, focusing on digital technology and digital economy and continuously updating its training programmes in response to changes in society, technology, and the labor market. One of VKU’s key strengths is its strong focus on practical skills through the “learning by doing” approach, enabling students to gain access to professional knowledge from an early stage and apply it through projects, practical products, and academic and professional competitions. Students’ achievements in national and international competitions in areas such as the OLP, ICPC, information security, entrepreneurship, and other fields demonstrate the University’s practice-oriented approach to education. In particular, two student startup projects from VKU were named among the Top 10 of Vietnam AI Stars 2026 and presented at the Vietnam AI Start event in Silicon Valley, USA.

Alongside professional competencies, VKU places strong emphasis on foreign language proficiency and international integration. The University is increasingly expanding the number of professional courses delivered in English. Students complete their graduation theses in English and, in many cases, have opportunities to present and defend their theses before panels involving international lecturers. The Japanese–Vietnamese and Korean–Vietnamese bilingual programmes, developed in cooperation with businesses, also provide students with greater employment opportunities at Japanese and Korean companies. Every year, more than 100 VKU students participate in exchange programmes and international semesters in Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, the United Kingdom, Portugal, and other destinations. At the same time, international cooperation projects, including the USD 7.7 million ODA project, continue to contribute to the development of VKU’s training capacity, facilities, international cooperation, and university governance.

Accordingly, VKU approaches the assessment with an open, transparent, and constructive spirit, viewing AUN-QA not only as recognition of its quality but also as an opportunity to listen to objective perspectives, identify strengths and areas for improvement, and promote a culture of continuous improvement. The assessment also serves as motivation for VKU to continuously enhance training quality, strengthen international integration, and gradually realize its goal of becoming a leading university in education, research, innovation, and technology transfer in its areas of strength.

Assoc. Prof. Chavalit Wongse-ek, AUN-QA Council Deputy Chairperson and Head of the Assessment Team, delivers his remarks

Representing the AUN-QA external assessment team, Assoc. Prof. Chavalit Wongse-ek, AUN-QA Council Deputy Chairperson and Head of the Assessment Team, highly appreciated VKU’s careful, serious, and responsible preparation for the assessment. According to Assoc. Prof. Chavalit Wongse-ek, AUN-QA assessment is not only a process of reviewing and recognizing the achievements of an educational institution, but, more importantly, an opportunity for the University to objectively reflect on and benchmark its achievements, identify its strengths, and determine areas that require further improvement. In this way, the assessment contributes to continuous improvement, enhancing the quality of training and the effectiveness of the University’s operations. The Head of the Assessment Team also expressed his expectation that the assessment sessions would be conducted in an open and effective manner, based on cooperation and sharing, thereby bringing practical value to VKU in its ongoing journey toward quality enhancement and international integration.

The AUN-QA assessment focuses on three VKU training programmes: the Engineer of Information Technology, Bachelor of Business Administration, and Engineer of Computer Engineering and Technology programmes. These programmes have been developed with an application-oriented approach, closely aligned with the needs of the labor market, businesses, and digital transformation trends, while gradually approaching international quality standards.

The external assessment team comprises experienced experts from several countries

The AUN-QA assessment team consists of six experienced experts from Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand. Prof. Dr. Yahaya Md. Sam and Dr. Yrika Marie R. Dusaran are responsible for assessing the Engineer of Information Technology programme; Prof. Dr. Arnel Onesimo O. Uy and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aphichart Rodchanarowan are responsible for the Bachelor of Business Administration programme; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chavalit Wongse-ek and Prof. Dr. Isabel Pefianco Martin are responsible for the Engineer of Computer Engineering and Technology programme. The participation of international experts provides VKU with an opportunity to obtain an objective and comprehensive view of the quality of its training programmes, while receiving valuable recommendations for continuous improvement.

The AUN-QA assessment builds on the quality assurance foundation that VKU has gradually established. Previously, the three programmes – Engineer of Information Technology, Bachelor of Business Administration, and Engineer of Computer Engineering and Technology – were accredited and recognized as meeting national quality standards in 2023. In 2026, VKU continued to strengthen its quality assurance efforts by receiving the Certificate of Educational Institution Accreditation from the Center for Education Accreditation, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

With its educational philosophy of “Humanity – Dedication – Liberation,” VKU identifies quality as a foundation throughout its activities in education, research, and community service. The University aims to build a learner-centered educational environment that develops students comprehensively in knowledge, ethics, creativity, and the ability to adapt to changes in society.

Following the opening session, the assessment team began an intensive working programme with faculty leaders, programme chairs, and Self-Assessment Report (SAR) teams. The team also met with lecturers, support staff, students, alumni, and employers. In addition, the experts conducted site visits to facilities, laboratories, learning spaces, and student support units to gain a comprehensive understanding of the organization, implementation, and continuous improvement of the training programmes.

The 532nd AUN-QA Programme Assessment at Vietnam–Korea University of Information and Communication Technology (VKU) will take place from August 17 to 20, 2026.

VKU Media

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