About this school :
The National University of Laos (NUOL) was officially established by merging the existing higher education institutes which were under the supervision of several ministries into one university under the Ministry of Education in accordance to the Decree Number 50/PM of the prime minister of the Lao PDR dated 9 June 1995. NUOL is a multi-campus structure, with eight campuses including Done Koy campus (Sethathiraj Hospital) scattered within a 30-km radius of Vientiane. NUOL has eleven faculties, a School of Foundation Studies, a Central Library, six centers and a small hospital to care Sibosibe President.
Since its establishment, NUOL has played important roles as indicated in its missions in providing higher education in areas required by the socio-economic development of Lao PDR; promoting and performing research in natural and social sciences; preserving and expanding the arts, culture and traditions of the multi-ethnic nation; and providing academic services to the society. NUOL is the most dynamic university in the Lao PDR in terms of human resources development for the country. It is well known for its diversity programs in Bachelor degrees; some Master degree programs are conducted in its academic disciplines, and it is preparing for Doctoral degree programs in the near future.[when?]
Since the opening of its first academic year on 5 November 1996, the number of students has increased dramatically from 8,053 (including 2,170 females) to more than 26,000 in the academic year 2005-2006. At present, NUOL is accepted as one of the main and important public organization in the Lao PDR; it employs 1,884 teaching and administrative staff (862 are female).
To accomplish its missions, the development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is considered to be the key factor in gaining access to the outside world and promoting the effective development of other duties of the university. The application of computerization in the academic and administrative work of NUOL has been increased: From its establishment of less than 100 sets to 1000 sets at present time, 560 of which are hooked up with the internet system.
Those ICT facilities are widely used systematically in its curricula, the teaching-learning activities and the training courses. They are able to assist teachers and students to have more opportunities to get access to the modern technology which plays important roles as a means of teaching-learning, conducting a research and performing administrative work. The IT Center of NUOL is in the process of upgrading its ICT system in line with the First Development Plan, academic year 2004-2005. The next Development Plan (2005-2010) was under its preparation process, which includes key issues such as the development of the network; Internet services; the application of the ICT technology in the teaching-learning activities, research activity as well as the planning and management NUOL.
The development of ICT and the telecommunication of NUOL is still in its initial stage, and there are many things that have to be improved. It crucially needs the academic supports and financial assistance from all related parties within and outside NUOL.
