Both local and international education researchers and experts took part.

Local universities will be categorized into three groups: those offering doctoral degrees, those offering master’s degrees, and those offering bachelor’s degrees, said Director Nguyen Phuong Nga of CEQARD.

The schools will then be ranked within their categories according to their quality of education and research, she said.

The schools will also be ranked generally in accordance with criteria set by CEQARD, Nga added.

The center will collect data to launch the project this year and will not evaluate any new schools whose first intake of students have yet to graduate.

The rankings are anticipated to be announced early next year.

University rankings have become a global trend, said Nga, and in Vietnam, demand for such information is growing.

Education and Training Deputy Minister Banh Tien Long told Thanh Nien that a ranking system would give universities an incentive to improve their standards, but needs to be carefully considered.

MoET is also in the process of assessing the quality of local universities and expects to announce its results next year.

Vietnam aims to have one university ranked in the top 200 universities in the world by 2020.

In 2006, Vietnam had 139 universities, including 30 private schools, according to MoET.

Source: TN, Agencies