Panel Discussion on the Transition from Vocational Training Programs to College and University

On December 18, 2023, Dr. Nguyen Huu Cuong, Head of the Quality Assurance Department, Van Lang University, delivered a speech on "The Australian Qualifications Pathway" at the "Panel Discussion of domestic and international experts on the transition from vocational training programs to college and university: International experiences and lessons for Vietnam" following an invitation from the Ministry of Education and Training.

The Panel Discussion, organized by the Ministry of Education and Training, aims to gather opinions for the drafting of a Decree on the transition between educational levels and qualifications within the national education system. This draft decree is intended for submission to the Government for review in 2024, replacing Decision No. 18/2017/QĐ-TTg issued by the Prime Minister on the transition from vocational training programs to college and university.

With years of work and study experience in Australia and research in education, Dr. Nguyen Huu Cuong explained that Australia's vocational education system is based on a close partnership between state governments, vocational education institutions, and businesses. In his presentation " The Australian Qualifications Pathway," Dr. Cuong shared that state governments provide funding, develop policies, set regulations, and ensure quality. Currently, Australia has over 5,000 vocational education institutions, notably the TAFE (Technical and Further Education Institutes). Universities and vocational education institutions in Australia actively and specifically implement policies. This has made the transition in education effective and serves as a model for countries worldwide. The Panel Discussion chair noted Dr. Nguyen Huu Cuong's contributions to include in the draft decree on transitions between different education levels and qualifications in the national education system.

During the Panel Discussion, there were many opinions from educational institutions, especially those in the northern mountainous region, central region, central highlands, etc., aiming to provide feedback and propose recommendations to implement transition education in a more feasible time frame meeting students' lifelong learning needs and current trends.

News and Photos: Tien Quang