From 9 to 12 November 2026, the Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology (PTIT) welcomed an expert review team from the UK Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) to conduct an external review of four academic programmes under the International Programme Accreditation (IPA) framework. The programmes are the Bachelor’s programmes in Business Administration, Marketing, Accounting and Multimedia Communication.

This initiative demonstrates PTIT’s proactive approach to adopting international quality assurance standards, contributing to the standardisation of academic programmes, strengthening international integration and enhancing the quality of higher education.

A Comprehensive Review of Academic Programmes

The opening ceremony was held in a formal atmosphere, attended by PTIT’s leadership and representatives of relevant departments and units. In his welcome address to the QAA expert team, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Quang Anh, Vice President of PTIT, expressed his appreciation for the experts’ participation in the review. He also reaffirmed PTIT’s commitment to a constructive and collaborative approach, ensuring close coordination, providing comprehensive information and facilitating the review team’s activities in accordance with the agreed schedule.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Quang Anh, Vice President of PTIT, delivering the opening remarks.

Following the welcome address, Mr Alan Weale, QAA expert, introduced the objectives and significance of the review, together with the review approach and requirements under the IPA framework. Drawing on more than 40 years of experience in higher education, academic leadership and quality assurance, Mr Weale emphasised that external review is not only an opportunity to identify the strengths of each programme but also to highlight areas for further improvement. It provides PTIT with an opportunity to gain an objective perspective on its educational quality, benefit from professional recommendations and progressively enhance its alignment with international standards.

Mr Alan Weale sharing the objectives, approach and requirements of the review under the IPA framework.

In the next session, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Thi Viet Duc delivered an overview of PTIT’s development, organisational structure and Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) system. She also introduced the quality assurance and enhancement activities being implemented across the academic programmes. Her presentation provided an overview of the management and quality assurance arrangements for the four programmes undergoing review: Business Administration, Marketing, Accounting and Multimedia Communication. This gave the review team an overall understanding of PTIT and its programme-level quality assurance framework.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Thi Viet Duc introducing PTIT and its programme-level quality assurance activities.

Immediately following the opening ceremony, the QAA review team held meetings with faculty leaders, department representatives and senior staff to discuss the institutional quality assurance system and the management and delivery of the four academic programmes, with particular emphasis on the student-centred approach.

The review team also met with staff responsible for student support services, including library services, information technology, counselling, language development and career guidance. In addition, the team conducted site visits to examine PTIT’s facilities and learning environment, including classrooms, laboratories, libraries, independent study spaces, learning resources and online learning environments.

According to the review schedule, on 10 and 11 November, the review team will conduct separate meetings for each programme, engaging with students, alumni and academic staff involved in programme design, teaching and assessment. On 12 November, the team will continue discussions with employers and other stakeholders, as well as meet with faculty leaders and relevant departments to clarify outstanding matters before consolidating its findings, recommendations and review outcomes.

Through meetings and on-site visits, the review team will examine programme quality across a range of areas, including programme aims, learning outcomes, curriculum content, teaching and learning methods, student assessment, academic staff capabilities, learning facilities and student support services. Feedback from students, alumni, academic staff and employers will also serve as important sources of evidence, contributing to a comprehensive and objective review process.

Education in Fields Undergoing Rapid Technological Transformation

The four programmes included in this review cover business administration, marketing, accounting and communication. These fields are undergoing significant transformation driven by digital transformation, big data and artificial intelligence (AI). Technology is not only changing the tools and methods used in professional practice but also reshaping business models, management practices, financial and accounting operations, and the creation and distribution of communication content.

In business administration and marketing, data analytics, technology adoption and the ability to adapt to digital business models are becoming increasingly important workforce competencies. In accounting, automation and digital transformation are creating new requirements for financial data processing and analysis, information management and operational control. Meanwhile, multimedia communication is expanding its creative possibilities through digital platforms, content production technologies and emerging AI applications.

These developments require academic programmes not only to maintain a strong foundation of disciplinary knowledge but also to continuously update technological content, innovate teaching and learning methods, and strengthen connections with professional practice. For PTIT, developing these programmes on the foundation of its strengths in information technology and communications creates favourable conditions for enhancing interdisciplinary learning and integrating disciplinary knowledge with technological application and the demands of the digital economy.

This also provides a basis for PTIT to continuously review, benchmark and enhance the quality of its academic programmes, ensuring that students acquire the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to adapt to a rapidly changing professional environment.

Proactive International Integration and Commitment to Educational Quality

QAA is a UK-based specialist organisation working in the field of higher education quality assurance. Its International Programme Accreditation (IPA) framework provides a quality review framework for academic programmes delivered outside the United Kingdom, through an independent external review process benchmarked against international standards.

For higher education institutions, participating in international quality reviews not only creates opportunities for benchmarking but also supports the evaluation and enhancement of internal quality assurance systems, the adoption of good practices in academic management and the identification of areas requiring further development.

PTIT’s proactive decision to submit four academic programmes for review demonstrates its commitment to enhancing educational quality, progressively aligning its academic provision with international standards and expanding international integration. This initiative is also aligned with the Institute’s development strategy for 2026–2030, with a vision towards 2045, in which improving educational quality, strengthening research capacity and enhancing international standing are key strategic priorities.

With a commitment to openness, transparency and continuous improvement, PTIT expects this external review to provide independent and objective perspectives that will support the ongoing review and enhancement of its academic programmes, enabling the Institute to better meet the needs of students, employers and society.