The National University of Laos (NUOL) plans to bolster education at all levels, from kindergarten to tertiary education, so that the university matches the standards of institutions overseas.
In particular, it seeks to integrate the comprehensive development of education into the national psyche, so that its quality is respected by the whole of society. This would enable graduates to rise to the standards required for assimilation into the ASEAN Community.
Over the past 20 years the university has assisted with social and economic development and has trained many thousands of graduates.
This success was celebrated at the university on Saturday, when its 20th anniversary was acknowledged by Vice President Mr Phankham Viphavanh, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Sonexay Siphandone, ministers, senior officials, lecturers and students.
Dr Sonexay pinned a Class 2 Labour Order to the NUOL flag, while 14 lecturers considered to be the best scholars in their faculties received certificates from Minister of Education and Sports Ms Sengdeuane Lachanthaboune.
Mr Phankham thanked the Ministry of Education and Sports, officials, staff and students from Laos and other countries who gathered to celebrate the anniversary.
He said the ministry and NUOL had worked side by side to improve the standard of education.
The two entities wanted to achieve even more in the future so that education levels matched others in the ASEAN Community and enabled staff and graduates to work more closely with international organisations.
The NUOL was established on November 5, 1996, with 10 faculties. Today there are 12 faculties, 11 management offices, two institutions, four NUOL campuses, a hospital and a secondary school run by the university and the ministry.
The university employs 1,981 personnel and 1,514 lecturers, of whom 645 are women. A total of 134 teaching staff hold doctorate degrees, 825 have master’s degrees and 924 have a bachelor degree. There are seven professors and 129 associate professors.
From 1996 to 2015, a total of 89,956 people have graduated from NUOL, including 31,847 women. This academic year there are more than 21,000 students studying in the various faculties.
As well as the National University of Laos, the University of Health Sciences teaches graduate programmes, along with Savannakhet University, Souphanouvong University in Luang Prabang province, and Champassak University.
The celebrations on Saturday included many activities in which lecturers and students participated.
The university does its best to assist students in need or facing various problems. It seeks scholarships from international organisations and companies to help disadvantaged students, reward outstanding students, and give poor students the chance to continue their education. This assistance has benefitted almost 1,000 people to date.
The NUOL has partnered in educational activities with foreign universities and international organisations. It has signed memorandums of understanding with more than 100 universities in 29 countries as well as 14 international organisations. Lecturers and students at NUOL helped with the 25th SEA Games held in Vientiane in 2009, and the university hosted the 16th ASEAN University Games in 2012. It also hosted the National University Games earlier this year and NUOL students took part in the ASEAN University Games in Singapore this year.
Source: Vientiane Times
