Accreditation of six study programmes by FIBAA standards at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH)

Following the on-going quality assurance and accreditation of study programmes at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh city (UEH), on July 11^th-13^th and 18^th-19^th 2024, UEH coordinated with The International Quality Assuarance Agency FIBAA (Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation) to conduct accreditation of six study programmes according to FIBAA standards. The programmes accredited include the Bachelor of Art in Hospitality Management, Bachelor of Art in Management of Travel and Tourism, Bachelor of Art in Hospitality Management (Undergraduate Programme in Events and Leisure Services - Management), Bachelor of Art in English Language (Business English), Bachelor of Art in Economics (Applied Economics), Master of Art in Public Management.

The FIBAA expert panel was led by Ms. Yelena Istileulova (FIBAA project manager). The group of professors consisted of Prof. Dr. Doris Feldmann (Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany), Prof. Dr. Ludwig Schweers (European Distance Learning University Hamburg, Germany), Prof. Dr. Peter Thuy (International University of Applied Sciences, Germany), Dr. Nguyen Quoc Cuong (Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam), Dr. Duong Nhu Hung (HCMC University of Technology), Prof. Dr. Dennis Hilgers (Johannes Kepler University of Linz, Austria), Prof. Dr. Friedrich Thießen (Chemnitz University of Technology, Germany). The group of practical experts included Ms. Denisa Koch (Erich Kästner Comprehensive School Homberg, Germany) and Ms. Magdalena Wittmann (Körber Supply Chain Logistics GmbH, Germany); and student representatives Mottl (EDHEC Business School, France) and Elisa Knief (Leibniz University Hanover, Germany).

On the side of UEH, participants included Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh – President of UEH, Vice Presidents of UEH, Leaders of UEH’s Colleges, Leaders of Schools, Programme directors and relevant lectures, Administrators of Management Units, Student Union, students, alumnies and employers.

FIBAA panels and UEH in two Clusters

In her opening remarks, Ms. Yelena Istileulova (FIBAA Project Manager) stated that the implementation of accreditation at both the training programme and educational institution levels at UEH under FIBAA standards has been performed exceptionally well. She noted that UEH has successfully completed the accreditaion at the level of educational institution and study programmes inconjunction with FIBAA and has continously made critical improvements in university administration and traning programmes by following FIBAA’s recommendations. Ms. Yelena emphasized that FIBAA will continue to support and collaboraewith UEH to elevate UEH’s quality of education to European standards.

Ms. Yelena Istileulova - FIBAA Project Manager delivers speech on Opening remarks

On official working days, FIBAA interviewed, exchanged and engaged in discussions with all stakeholders, including Leaders of Schools, Programme directors and relevant lectures, Administrators of Management Units, the Student Union, students, alumnies and employers. These discussions focused on managing the quality of the study programmes to clarify, analyze and assess strengths and weaknesses of accreditated programmes. The FIBAA delegation also visited and surveyed the university’s facilities and highly evaluated its modernity and suitability. The facilities met the requirements for training, teaching, scientific research, and providing services to the community related to the study programmes.

The interview session of FIBAA panel

FIBAA panel visits facilities of UEH

At the closing ceremony, FIBAA experts presented the official preliminary results of study progammes for the following standards: 1) Objectives, 2) Enrollment, 3) Content, Structure and Teaching method, 4) Learning Environment and 5) Quality Assuarance. The experts held a very high opinion of UEH’s efforts to assure the quality of its study programmes andmaintain a leading role in the fields of economics, administration, and management in Vietnam.

Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh – President of UEH thanks experts from FIBAA

Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh, President of UEH warmingly thanked and appreciated the partnership and contribution of FIBAA to Vietnam’s universities in general and UEH in particular. He asserted the significant role of FIBAA in accreditating the quality of higher education institutions under international norms in Vietnam. On behalf of UEH, Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh committed to striving for improvements in all aspects of university administration, training, scientific research, and service provision to society. These efforts will help UEH sustain and develop its quality in line with FIBAA standards. Moreover, Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh wholeheartedly congratulated FIBAA on its 30th anniversary 1994-2024.

The outcomes of quality accreditation activities serve as the foundation for UEH to continuously enhance the design, administration, and operation for its study programmes in accordance with international standards. Consequently, the training quality of both UEH and its study programmes is significantly elevated, aligning with the goal of becoming a Multidisciplinary and Sustainable Univeristy on the upcoming phase.