USAID Partnership for Higher Education Reform

The United States Agency for International Development in Vietnam (USAID/Vietnam) is seeking applications from qualified entities to implement the "USAID Partnership for Higher Education Reform" activity. The activity aims to modernize the selected universities to support their desire to become world-class institutions. Vietnamese universities historically graduate students steeped in theory, but needing more real-world skills. To drive Vietnam’s continued economic growth, university graduates need to be fully prepared for today’s competitive global economy. In recognition of this, the Government of Vietnam enacted a law in 2018 calling for reforms to higher education. Through the Partnership for Higher Education Reform with Vietnam’s three largest universities and U.S. higher education institutions, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) advances reforms to improve the quality and market-relevance of higher education to drive lasting growth. STRENGTHEN UNIVERSITY GOVERNANCE The partnership establishes robust internal quality assurance systems and modernizes management information systems to improve university governance and operations. IMPROVE ACADEMIC QUALITY The partnership provides faculty training in state-of-the-art course design and digitizing curriculum to increase access to high-quality resources. The partnership also fosters faculty networks across universities to encourage cross-learning and cooperation. STRENGTHEN RESEARCH AND INNOVATION The partnership strengthens research and innovation through faculty exchanges and training, private sector collaboration, visiting scholar programs, conferences and workshops, and aligning research activities to the social and economic needs of the country. IMPACT It is expected that by the end of the project, the three partner universities will become models of modern higher education, equipping more than 200,000 students to thrive in an increasingly competitive global market and drive Vietnam’s socio-economic development. TARGETED LOCALITIES The project partners with Vietnam National University-Hanoi, Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City, and the University of Danang.