From evaluation to action: strengthening quality assurance culture for teaching excellence

The National University of Laos (NUOL) has launched a three-day training on evaluation and teaching evaluation report writing for the academic year 2025–2026, marking a significant step towards strengthening quality assurance (QA), evidence-based teaching and institutional accountability across faculties — particularly within the Faculty of Law Programme (FLP). The training was held in Thalat district, Vientiane Province, from 21 to 23 January 2026, and brought together 40 participants, including academic leaders, faculty members and QA practitioners from 12 faculties and one institute across NUOL. The training was designed to enhance practical skills in course evaluation, data analysis and evaluation report writing. The outcomes of this training will directly inform the future work plans of the Rule of law, access to justice, and good governance (ROLAG) programme, ensuring more targeted, responsive and sustainable QA support to the FLP.
 

In opening the training, Mr Thongsouk KEOMANY, vice president of NUOL, underlined the strategic importance of evaluation in strengthening higher education quality and public trust. He emphasised that evaluation, when applied constructively, serves as a foundation for continuous improvement rather than mere compliance.

A key highlight of the opening session was the motivational address delivered by Dr Reginald PASTRANA, senior sectoral adviser of the ROLAG programme, who stressed the transformative power of evaluation when translated into action :

Dr PASTRANA further encouraged participants to see evaluation as a shared responsibility and an opportunity for professional growth :

The training programme covers the full evaluation cycle, beginning with a review of QA principles and rights-based evaluation processes, followed by the development of online evaluation tools, the simulation of real data collection, and the drafting of faculty- and programme-level evaluation reports. Its hands-on, participatory design allows participants to apply concepts immediately through simulations, group discussions and collaborative report drafting.

By linking evaluation results directly to planning and resource allocation, the workshop reinforces NUOL’s commitment to embedding quality assurance into everyday academic practices. It also strengthens alignment between the university and development partners, ensuring that support provided under the ROLAG programme is grounded in real evidence, real needs and real impact.

Following the training, participants are expected to return to their faculties with enhanced skills, renewed motivation and a shared vision : to turn evaluation into action, and action into lasting teaching excellence.
 

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