Luxembourg supports the National University of Laos to advance outcome-based legal education reform

With the support of LuxDev, through the Rule of law, access to justice and good governance programme (ROLAG) financed by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Faculty of Law and Political Science (FLP) of the National University of Laos (NUOL) conducted a landmark curriculum review and training workshop on the outcome-based education (OBE) ecosystem approach to future-ready education in Vang Vieng from 3 to 6 June 2025.

The workshop was hold on 3 June 2025 with a comprehensive curriculum review based on the ASEAN University Network-Quality Assurance (AUN-QA) programme assessment reports covering five-degree programmes at FLP. This review, designed to strengthen curriculum relevance and alignment with regional standards, served as a strategic prelude to the succeeding training.

The review session was chaired by Dr. Somdeth KEOVONGSACK, acting dean of FLP, and led by the Academic Affairs Division. It was facilitated by internationally recognized experts Dr. Jenny NGOC and Mr. Johnson ONG CHEE BIN, and attended by over 30 members of the FLP’s Curriculum Evaluation and Improvement Committee.

Discussions focused on key areas for improvement identified by the AUN-QA assessors, particularly on curriculum design and content, as well as learning outcomes.

The main OBE ecosystem approach to future-ready education workshop took place on 4–5 June 2025 in Vang Vieng. The event was formally opened by Asst. Prof. Thongsouk KEOMANY, vice president of NUOL, Dr. Somdeth KEOVONGSACK, acting dean of FLP, and Dr. Reginald PASTRANA, senior sector adviser of the ROLAG programme.

Bringing together over 60 participants from NUOL, FLP, the Faculty of Law and Administration of Champasak University, and representatives from the Ministry of Education and Sports and ROLAG programme, the workshop aimed to introduce an integrated and practical approach to curriculum design.

The OBE ecosystem framework encourages a systemic alignment of academic programmes with learner outcomes, labour market needs, and broader societal expectations.

The experts shared international best practices from ASEAN and beyond, citing examples from the National University of Singapore, Singapore Management University, and Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh City. Innovative applications of artificial intelligence in curriculum design and development were also discussed as forward-looking tools for academic institutions.

Key follow-up actions identified during the workshop include :

• mapping the FLP’s educational ecosystem to inform each programme’s development;
• collecting stakeholder intelligence to ensure relevance and responsiveness of curricula;
• promoting interdisciplinary integration through specializations, tracks, and minors;
• enhancing teaching, learning, and assessment strategies for real-world application;
• monitoring and reporting on both objective and subjective learning outcomes to ensure continuous improvement.

As a concluding reflection, participants were challenged to reimagine the future curriculum using the conceptual models of the “I”, “T”, and “H” curriculum frameworks. The “H” model — combining disciplinary depth with cross-functional competencies — was recommended as the most adaptable for promoting lifelong learning and employability in an unpredictable global landscape.

This initiative marks another milestone in LuxDev’s continued support to legal education reform in Lao PDR, reinforcing the commitment to build future-ready institutions that are responsive, inclusive, and internationally benchmarked.

The ROLAG programme is financed by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and jointly implemented by the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Education and Sports, LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency, ILSTA and the University of Luxembourg.