QS Stars 4-star certification: The beginning of Van Lang University's international quality aspirations

On December 11, 2021, Van Lang University (VLU) was awarded the QS Stars 4-star rating certification by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) from the United Kingdom, marking the university's first international benchmarking accreditation to date.

The official receipt of the QS Stars 4-star Certification by Van Lang University from QS, one of the most prestigious university ranking and benchmarking organizations in the world today, is a very important milestone. The 4-star QS Stars accreditation is awarded to highly international universities that demonstrate excellence in both research and teaching; is an ideal teaching and learning environment for lecturers, students and good international activities. Therefore, this QS certification has affirmed the quality values of VLU related to training, scientific research, international cooperation, community responsibility, infrastructure construction and comprehensive development, which are recognized at the international level. The QS Stars 4 certification that Van Lang University achieved the first time it participated in the assessment shows that its quality policy follows the mission of "training people who bring positive impact and inspiration to society" and the vision of "becoming one of the most admired young universities in Asia by 2030" that the University has pursued over the years is completely correct. This creates great motivation for the University to aim to be ranked in the Top 700 best universities in the world within the next 5 years.

The leadership, staff and lecturers of Van Lang University at the QS Stars 4-star certification ceremony

To achieve the QS Starts 4-star benchmarking certification in particular, as well as to establish a culture of quality within the University, in order for the quality and reputation of VLU to be recognized at the regional and international level, it requires the determination and perseverance of all members of the Van Lang community, especially the leadership of the Group and the University. The roadmap for 2022 is to carry out institutional accreditation with a reputable international accreditation body and implement the accreditation of some training programs according to regional and international standards. In the following years, the university will carry out the accreditation of all training programs that meet the international standards, and at the same time participate in a number of prestigious world university rankings.

Mr. Samuel Ang, Regional Director for Asia of QS, delivered an online speech congratulating VLU

Of course, there are many challenges to achieving the above goals such as: teaching and research facilities must be modern; programs must be synchronized and updated; there must be many lecturers with doctoral degrees; must attract international lecturers and students; must have a large number of scientific articles published in prestigious international journals; and must build a consistent and strong internal quality assurance system.

However, the University also has many advantages. First of all is the strong commitment of the leaders of Van Lang Education Group to invest resources in the quality values of the entire system. Recently, within the framework of a working visit from October 31 to November 5, 2021 in Europe and attending the COP26 Climate Change Summit with a high-level delegation of Vietnam, led by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh took the lead, Dr. Nguyen Cao Tri, Chairman of Van Lang Education Group, Chairman of the Board of Van Lang University participated in exchanging memorandums and cooperation agreements with 8 leading educational organizations in Europe on construction content. Develop programs, research and sustainable development projects in Vietnam, promoting the improvement of education quality throughout all levels from elementary to university and postgraduate.

Dr. Nguyen Cao Tri - Chairman of the Board of Van Lang University delivered a speech at the ceremony of receiving 4-star QS Stars Certification.

Second, the university's infrastructure was newly built and modern with current equipment. The university's facilities category was given a perfect score of 5 stars by QS Stars. In addition, Ha Long Educational Urban (Ha Long Pearl University Metropolis, Quang Ninh) and other university urban areas will be built according to green standards, aiming for sustainable development according to the Group's plan until 2027. Third, the university is converting all programs by comparing and referencing the programs of the Top 100 universities in the world. Fourth, the University has a memorandum of understanding and cooperation agreement (MOU/MOA) with nearly 100 universities the world, including outstanding universities such as Liverpool John Moores University (United Kingdom) and Waikato University (New Zealand). This will have great advantages for international cooperation, exchange of lecturers and students. Fifth, the University has issued Regulations on scientific research activities for lecturers at Van Lang University (new version) as a basis to promote and strengthen the scientific research capacity of the lecturers of the University, meeting the goal of bringing Van Lang University to rank 700 in the world. In addition, the university has established and will establish additional strong research institutes or research groups to promote international publications. Sixth, the internal quality assurance system of the University has been established quite early. Currently, in addition to the Quality Assurance Department being the focal unit responsible for ensuring the quality of the entire university, all faculties/institutes and most departments/units of the University also have quality assurance teams to implement specific quality assurance programs and activities.

With the proper direction and direction of the Board of Van Lang University, the efforts and determination of all lecturers, staff, students of the University, it is believed that Văn Lang University will achieve its goals of international accreditation and ranking, confidently entering the Top 700 best universities in the world within the next 5 years.