Promoting mobility in higher education - Officials and experts prepare for the ratification and implementation of the 2011 Tokyo Convention

Over the past two decades, Viet Nam has witnessed significant changes, including the rapid growth of both private and public higher education providers and the expansion of cross‐border higher education. However, with such rapid change comes many challenges including the lack of understanding and awareness of recognized or accredited programmes as well as a need for national qualifications frameworks and assessment tools to measure learning outcomes.

Raising awareness and moving forward with the Tokyo Convention for Recognition of Qualifications in Higher Education in The Asia-Pacific Region (2011 Tokyo Convention), the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET), with the support of UNESCO, organized a national workshop with the participation of experts, officials and delegates.

Members of the Viet Nam National Commission for UNESCO, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MOET, Ministry of Home Affairs, Accreditation Centers, higher education institutions, British Council, Australian Embassy in Viet Nam, media professionals and experts from Viet Nam, China and UNESCO Bangkok attended the two-day workshop.

During the first day, specialists and consultants led discussions on the requirements and procedures for the ratification and implementation of the 2011 Tokyo Convention. Discussions included the recognition of needed support and recommendations to establish the National Information Centre (NIC) for recognition of qualifications in higher education and for coordination platforms promoting knowledge and experience sharing.

On the second day, key points and recommendations were carried forth throughout three main sessions led by keynote speakers and presenters. Sessions emphasized the importance and role of the 2011 Tokyo Convention in linking international recognition to mobility and employability; the current standing of qualifications recognition in Viet Nam; and the necessity of the NIC with a case study of qualifications recognition in China. 

Welcoming participants, Deputy Minister of Education and Training, Dr. Bui Van Ga, addressed higher education stakeholders in Viet Nam to explain the approval of the Viet Nam National Qualifications Framework (VNQF) for the creation of “a legal corridor for Vietnamese education… to embrace increasing regional and international integration.” The framework establishes “a relationship with national qualifications frameworks of other countries... thus, enhancing quality and competitiveness for human resources in an increasingly globalized work environment.”

Along the same lines, Secretary-General of the Viet Nam National Commission for UNESCO, Mr. Phạm Vinh Quang, highlighted that with globalization the “rapid changes of daily life deriving from technological, scientific and IT advancements, new forms of education… have come into being over and above traditional approaches.” With that, he emphasized the workshop as “an opportunity for Viet Nam to strengthen international cooperation, share information and exchange practical experiences… and put forth suitable recommendations to higher education institutions.“

The Asia-Pacific Regional Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications in Higher Education is one of six UNESCO Conventions that seek to ensure that studies, diplomas, and degrees in higher education are recognised as widely as possible, while considering the great diversity of educational systems in the Asia-Pacific region and the richness of its cultural, social, political, religious, and economic backgrounds.

For more information, please contact: Mr. Toshiyuki Matsumoto, Education Programme Specialist, at t.matsumoto@unesco.org