Founded in 2001 under a prime ministerial decision, Tay Bac University evolved from a series of teacher training schools. It has since grown into a multidisciplinary institution spanning education, agriculture and forestry, economy, tourism and health sciences. The school also serves as a hub for research, technology transfer and training for students from nine northern Lao provinces.

In recent years, Tay Bac University has embraced autonomy and teamwork to overcome challenges, maintaining 25 training programmes with nearly 6,000 students annually. More than 90% of graduates find jobs, while the school has built a full teacher training system from preschool to high school, including a practice school. It was named one of 14 key teacher-training institutions under a prime ministerial decision issued in February 2025.

At the working session, ministry officials urged the university to strengthen staffing, expand enrollment areas and scale up training for Lao students.

Concluding the session, Son underscored Tay Bac University’s role in training talent for the northwestern region. He urged the school to build on its achievements, devise a suitable growth plan and sharpen its strengths, while expanding training, particularly in pedagogy, agriculture and forestry, IT and Lao–Thai language. He also called for stronger ties with domestic universities, alongside efforts to strengthen faculty and raise training quality to meet labour market demands.