9TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MEDICAL EDUCATION: UMP'S IMPRINT ON THE JOURNEY TO PREPARE FOR THE NATIONAL MEDICAL LICENSING EXAMINATION

The 9th National Conference on Medical Education, held over two days (November 7–8, 2025) at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, themed “Medical Education in the Digital Era: Opportunities and Challenges,” gathered leaders from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and Training, the National Medical Council (NMC), health science institutions nationwide, and a network of international experts. This prestigious scientific forum brings together leading experts, policymakers, and educators in the field of medical education to discuss strategies for innovation and quality enhancement in the training of healthcare professionals.

Figure 1. Leaders of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and Training, and leaders of health professions training institutions taking a souvenir photo at the opening ceremony.

Key Conference Activities: From Digital Transformation to the National Examination

The conference centered on several pivotal content areas: Medical education in the digital era; Competency standardization; Evidence-based assessment; and Preparation for the National Medical Licensing Examination (NMLE).

The plenary sessions, specialized sessions, scientific presentations, and discussions clarified the following key points: The need to build a common competency framework; The application of technology and artificial intelligence in teaching, learning, and assessment; The standardization of the item bank, passing standards, and examination procedures; and Enhanced cooperation between training institutions and the NMC in designing and operating the examination.

Figure 2. Assoc. Prof. Vuong Thi Ngoc Lan, MD, PhD – Vice President of UMP, presenting at Session 3: Competency Assessment and the Application of Technology in Learner Competency Assessment.

UMP's Prominent Role: Academic Leadership and System Connection

a. Comprehensive Contributions in Professional and Academic Expertise

UMP participated with a powerful academic force, present throughout various activities: Participation, chairing, and presenting in pre-conference sessions on educational technology, assessment in medical education, faculty competency framework development, faculty development to meet learner assessment exam requirements, Team-Based Learning (TBL), and active teaching-learning models. Contribution of numerous oral presentations and posters focusing on: standardization of measurement tools, item bank development, curriculum evaluation, AI application, faculty development, mental health care, medical professionalism, etc., demonstrating serious research orientation linked to the system's reform needs.

This presence shows that UMP not only attended but also co-created content, sharing implementation experiences and models, contributing to shaping new standards in Vietnamese medical education.

Figure 3. Pre-conference Session 8 – “Faculty Development to Meet Learner Assessment Exam Requirements” chaired by Assoc. Prof. Pham Thi Minh Hong, PhD and Nguyen Duc Khanh, PhD, attracting a large number of faculty members for attendance and experience sharing.

Figure 4. Prof. Tran Diep Tuan, MD, PhD, Assoc. Prof. Le Khac Bao, MD, PhD, Assoc. Prof. Vu Minh Phuc, MD, PhD, and Tran Thuy Khanh Linh, PhD taking a photo with faculty members attending pre-conference Session 7 – “Developing a Faculty Competency Framework in Health Professions.”

Figure 5. Faculty members actively discussing in Pre-conference Session 9 – “Active Teaching using TBL” led by Au Nhut Luan, MD and Huynh Vinh Pham Uyen, PhD.

b. Reputable Role in Quality Assurance and Nurturing the Young Generation

UMP faculty members served as judges and moderators in the Young Investigator Presentations session, helping ensure scientific integrity and objectivity while encouraging the young research generation to adopt modern research standards.

Figure 6. Judges Assoc. Prof. Vuong Thi Ngoc Lan, MD, PhD taking a souvenir photo with the presenters participating in the Young Investigator Presentation competition.

NMC Strategic Forum: UMP as the Bridge, Korean Experts as Partners

A crucial highlight of the conference was the specialized discussion session led by the NMC on the National Medical Licensing Examination, featuring leaders from 34 medical training institutions nationwide, the Exam Tool Development Committee, and experts from South Korea.

The session was moderated by: Dr. Nguyen Ngo Quang – Director of Agency for Sciences, Technology and Training (Ministry of Health), Vice Chairman of the NMC; Prof. Tran Diep Tuan, MD, PhD – Chairman of the Board of Trustees, UMP, and Head of the Exam Tool Development Committee for the Medical Practice Licensing Examination.

Expert consultation was provided by: Prof. Park Hoon-ki and experts from the Korea Health Personnel Licensing Examination Institute (KHPLEI); Prof. An Shinki and experts from Yonsei University.

The discussion focused on the examination format, the computer-based testing roadmap, test blueprint, passing standards, item security, technical infrastructure, and mechanisms to protect the rights of learners. These discussions laid an important foundation for finalizing the NMLE plan, ensuring feasibility, fairness, and international integration.

UMP played a pivotal role as the bridge connecting the NMC, the network of training institutions, and international experts, helping transform international experience into specific directions relevant to the Vietnamese context.

Figure 7. Panel Discussion moderated by Dr. Nguyen Ngo Quang and Prof. Tran Diep Tuan, MD, PhD.

Affirming the Core Role in the National Exam Tool Development Committee

Within the conference framework, the role of the Exam Tool Development Committee was emphasized, with the following key leaders: Prof. Tran Diep Tuan, MD, PhD (UMP) – Head; Assoc. Prof. Kim Bao Giang – (Hanoi Medical University) Deputy Head; Assoc. Prof. Vuong Thi Ngoc Lan, MD, PhD (UMP) – Deputy Head.

UMP, through its leaders holding these pivotal positions, affirmed its central responsibility in: Designing the examination structure; Developing the competency framework and test matrix; Guiding the standardization of the item bank, examination procedures, and result analysis; and Proposing a roadmap for collaboration with institutions and international partners.

The Heads/Deans Club discussion further consolidated consensus, recognizing UMP as a leading nucleus in professional expertise and implementation management.

Contributing to the Success of the Conference and the System's Shared Roadmap

With diverse academic activities, strategic coordination, a presence in the National Exam Tool Development Committee, and effective connection with the NMC and Korean experts, UMP left a distinct imprint at the 9th National Conference on Medical Education.

The University continues to affirm its commitment to: Collaborating with the NMC and training institutions in building the national medical licensing examination; Maintaining its pioneering role in curriculum, teaching methodology, and assessment innovation; and Promoting international cooperation, digital transformation, and research in medical education.

The conference concluded, opening a new phase where UMP remains a strategic partner and a core force in the journey toward building a qualified, transparent, human-centered, and internationally integrated Vietnamese healthcare workforce assurance system.

Figure 8. Leaders of the Ministry of Health and health professions training institutions giving their gratitude and closing the Conference.