Ho Chi Minh City, 30/03/2016: Following the introduction by HCMUT and an opening message from ECO-RED project Coordinator, Dr. George Makrides, Quality Manager from Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Cyprus began the first section of the seminar entitled “Quality Assurance”. Dr. Makrides’s presentations started with an overview on the Republic of Cyprus and University of Cyprus; and then he provided concise information on the specific objectives of ECO-RED project (establishing 5 new undergraduate courses (at least 30 ECTS) on renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainability in n. 3 Vietnamese Universities, that meet local needs and abide by International Quality standards and are accredited by local authorities). During his presentations, the expert from Cyprus directed the participants’ attention towards three important contents: (1) an introduction to Quality Assurance (QA) giving an insight into basic concepts and issues about QA, QA in higher; (2) European framework and guidelines for QA and (3) the significance of QA in higher education and QA guideline description at agency and institutional levels. He also explained in details about the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA), an umbrella organization which represents quality assurance organizations from the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) member states. Several examples on academic quality assurance in the UK were included in the last presentation, which attracted the participants’ most interests and questions. As quoted in Makrides’s section, “the fate of empires depends on the education of youth” (Aristotle) and quality assurance at universities is apparently an important aspect to ensure providing the youth with the best higher education.

In the afternoon section of the seminar on 30 March 2016, the presentation on Bologna Process was given by Dr. Marek Frankowicz from Jagiellonian University in Kraców, Poland. Dr. Frankowicz presented to HCMUT staff the main features and achievements of Bologna Process. The development of Bologna in Polish context was also mentioned to give the participants a vivid scene of how Bologna was etablished and employed with different challenges. The presenter also discussed three training cycles and ECTS applied in European higher education. A lively discussion on the compatibility of three cirlce system in Europe and Vietnamese educational system occured in the talk, which aroused active sharings and comments of concerned attendees.

After the coffee break, he also highlighted the description of learning outcomes, longlife learning , student centered learning and academic networks. Some important issues e.g. university mission & strategy, staff development, E-learning were reminded in the last part of the Bologna training. The presentation concluded with some justifications for Bologna Process by an interesting poem:

No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main…               
                              John Donne

Training on Internationalization

Andrea Corese from Sapienza Università Di Roma fulfiled the seminar with the final section on “the Internationalization of Universities” at 9:00 am on 31 March 2016. Corese conducted the session through open discussions. Interruption for questions and comments during the talk were welcomed to open up a platform for sharing ideas and experience. Corese first introduced to the participants the general picture of Sapienza University of Rome with its major international rankings. Then, he defined Internationlization as “the process of integrating an international, intercultural or global dimenstion into the purpose, function or delivery of postsecondary education” (Knight, 2003) or “integrating the institution and its key stakeholders – its students, faculty and staff – into a globalized world” (Hawawini, 2011). Later, the definitions led to very interesting discussions on two relevant terms “internationalization at Home” and “Internationalization Abroad”. The presenter argued that Internationalization at Home plays an important role to move the universities to towards the integration process. He also succeed in arguing the rational justifications for internationalization in higher education e.g. to respond to national/regional/local needs; to interacting with the world; to expand the scope of studies and enhance their quality and to make a revenue from international students or from other international sources. However, the implemtation of internationalization in higher education is still facing some chanllenges and obstacles such as lack of staff and leadership engagement, awareness, cost etc. The indicators for Internationalization implementation was also addressed in the final part of his presentation.

The seminar ended with a friendly ceremony of awarding certificates to active participants by Ms. Katiuscia CIPRI, ECO-RED project Coordinator.