On the morning of September 29, 2026, Hanoi University of Civil Engineering (HUCE) solemnly held the opening ceremony of the 561st external assessment of its academic programmes in accordance with the standards of the ASEAN University Network – Quality Assurance (AUN-QA).

HUCE Welcomes the External Assessment Team from the ASEAN University Network to Conduct the AUN-QA Assessment of Four Academic Programmes

Attending the event on behalf of the AUN-QA assessment team were Prof. Arnulfo P. Azcarraga, Lead Assessor; Ms. Siranart Sinsup, representative of the AUN-QA Secretariat; and other members of the assessment team. Representing Hanoi University of Civil Engineering (HUCE) were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Tung, Rector of the University, together with representatives of staff, lecturers, students, and invited guests.

In this assessment cycle, HUCE has four key academic programmes undergoing assessment, including: Civil Engineering – major in Civil and Industrial Construction; Architecture; Construction Economics; and Construction Materials Engineering Technology.

Overview of the Opening Session

In his opening remarks at the ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Tung, Rector of Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, emphasized the importance of quality accreditation in the context of the profound transformation currently taking place in Vietnamese higher education. He affirmed that HUCE has always regarded quality as the fundamental foundation of all its activities, closely aligned with the University’s mission and long-term development. Quality assurance is not merely about meeting established standards; more importantly, it is about fostering a genuine culture of quality—one that encourages self-reflection, accountability, innovation, and a spirit of continuous improvement.

Highlighting the significant contributions of the four core academic programmes under assessment in educating generations of professionals for Vietnam’s construction and architecture sectors, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Tung stated that, through these programmes, HUCE aims to develop graduates who possess not only strong professional knowledge and competencies, but also integrity, creativity, adaptability, and a strong sense of social responsibility, enabling them to contribute to sustainable development.

The Rector also affirmed that the University is participating in this assessment with openness, integrity, and transparency. HUCE is committed to providing accurate information and creating the most favourable conditions for the assessment team to access its facilities and engage with relevant stakeholders. In particular, the University highly values the opportunity to learn from the independent perspectives of the assessors in order to identify its strengths as well as areas for further improvement, thereby developing concrete enhancement plans with clear roadmaps and measurable outcomes.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Tung, Rector of Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, Delivers the Opening Remarks

At the opening session, Prof. Dr. Arnulfo P. Azcarraga, Lead Assessor of the AUN-QA external assessment team, shared that the team comprised members from Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, and the Philippines. He noted, however, that the team did not wish to be viewed simply as external assessors, but rather as partners working alongside the University and bringing a fresh, objective third-party perspective to the academic programmes under review.

“Our purpose is to provide additional suggestions and recommendations for the University’s consideration. As the Rector has shared, the issue is not merely about meeting standards, but more importantly about pursuing continuous improvement. Therefore, we will focus on reviewing the University’s operational processes, how it engages with stakeholders and students, the teaching approaches adopted by lecturers, as well as the programme outcomes and other related aspects. This afternoon, we will conduct a site visit of the University’s facilities to assess their suitability and the alignment between actual conditions and the intended learning outcomes of the academic programmes,” Prof. Dr. Arnulfo P. Azcarraga emphasized.

Prof. Dr. Arnulfo P. Azcarraga, Lead Assessor of the AUN-QA External Assessment Team, Delivers His Remarks at the Programme

The opening ceremony marked an important milestone in HUCE’s ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of teaching and learning, while further affirming its position as one of Vietnam’s leading technical universities.

The AUN-QA Assessment Team Takes a Commemorative Photo with Representatives of Hanoi University of Civil Engineering