This thesis concerns human resource development (HRD) and educational reform in Laos which is one aspect of poverty eradication in Laos. The thesis aim to describe, understand and analyze how HRD is constructed in policies and among teachers at the National University of Laos (NUOL) and what possibilities and constraints they connect to it. To find answers to these questions we have analyzed national policy documents and interviewed teachers with PhD degrees at NUOL. Educational reform was initiated after the declaration of the Lao People Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) independency in 1975 and with the help of donor organizations efforts have continuously been made to raise the quality of education in Lao PDR in order to improve skills among the population.Our findings show that in policy HRD is constructed as poverty reduction, meeting international standards and educational development. The respondents have described that HRD can be achieved through staff development, student-centered learning method, development of skills through international cooperation and relevant educational equipment. The biggest constraint according to the respondents is lack of money. After that comes lack of knowledge, inadequate equipment and low incentives for teachers. The main possibilities described are that NUOL is in a position to spread information about education and material to other education institutions; that textbooks are more readily available and that it is getting easier to apply for scholarships for studies abroad.