The University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) not only commits to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment within the academic environment but also proactively encourages equal access and equal opportunities for women in underrepresented fields such as technology, engineering, data science, and innovation. Through both internal initiatives and collaborative projects at the national and international levels, UEH inspires and supports women to enhance their professional competence and participate more actively in non-traditional sectors, reducing gender discrimination in employment and academic leadership.
To strengthen the role of women in the context of digital transformation and technological advancement, UEH Board of Management and the Committee for the Advancement of Women have been actively encouraging and facilitating female staff members and employees to participate in research programs, scientific projects, and innovation initiatives in STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). This policy aims to empower women by enabling them to lead or co-author research and innovation projects, particularly in technical and technological fields, while fostering social inclusion and workplace equality. Moreover, UEH promotes collaboration with other universities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and government agencies to launch joint projects and national or regional campaigns that advocate for gender parity, women’s rights, and equal opportunities in science and technology. These joint efforts not only increase the representation of women in specialized fields but also contribute to sustainable human resource development and inclusive growth across the university.
In 2024, UEH implemented a series of systematic activities, ranging from communication campaigns, training sessions, internal recognition programs, to interdisciplinary research and international partnerships supporting marginalized and disadvantaged groups. UEH is also in the process of collecting gender-disaggregated data on female applicants to STEM and technology programs.
These continuous efforts have contributed to narrowing the gender gap, increasing the number of female leaders, mentors, and lecturers, and reinforcing women’s participation in work and research. Ultimately, UEH’s initiatives reflect its commitment to dignity, empowerment, and equality for women, aligning with the SDG 5.3.4, and advancing gender equality in higher education and sustainable development globally.
| Policy / Activity | Scope and Format | Target group | Implementation | Outcomes / Impacts |
| Online communication and outreach activities promoting women’s roles, gender equality, and social values | activities through university outreach; Thematic podcasts; Academic training and communication; Southeast Asia region | Female leaders, students, managers, and the business community | – [Podcast] Business Innovation in ASEAN Countries: Examining the impact of management experience, managerial practices, and the leadership role of female CEOs.
– Podcast Series “Promoting Women’s Role in Building a Cultural Family” 
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– Collected data from the World Bank Enterprise Surveys, covering 151 countries and 180,000 enterprises.
– Identified four key findings related to the impact of management experience, managerial practices, and the executive roles of female CEOs. – Proposed 04 policy recommendations for enterprises to encourage women’s leadership and participation as CEOs. – Provided a platform for sharing and disseminating experiences, raising public awareness on gender equality, promoting the concept of progressive families, and creating motivation for women to engage in underrepresented sectors. |
| RESEARCH PROJECT: “Gender-sensitizing for Design and Operation of Water-Energy-Climate Change Infrastructures in Soc Trang Province, Mekong Delta, Vietnam – GS4INFRA” | Collaborative event with other universities; research cooperation; community training; seminars and field interventions in Soc Trang Province (local area); partnership with international networks (Mekong Think Tank), local authorities, businesses, and social organizations | Women, female-headed households, young women, ethnic minority groups, women-led enterprises, and local communities | – GS4Infra Project: Fieldwork and Data Collection in Cu Lao Dung District, Soc Trang Province.
Local data collection team – Community capacity building training session in Cu Lao Dung district 
Training session on boat with the active participation of local representatives 
The project was co-led by University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) and Can Tho University, with investigators from diverse disciplines such as Law, Sociology, and Biotechnology. |
– Fieldwork and data collection completed in two research communes.
– Nearly 100% of surveyed officials expressed awareness and support for gender equality and inclusion of vulnerable groups in the planning and operation of irrigation systems. – Applied three participatory group discussion methods with interactive exercises. – Over 100 representatives, including many female leaders and vulnerable groups, were trained and engaged in regional development planning. – Through technical and infrastructure training for local women, the project encouraged female participation in applied technical fields and promoted social inclusion in climate adaptation efforts. |
| Scientific research activities and projects | International; activities through collaboration with other universities | Female lecturers, scientists, and university leaders in Vietnam; academic and administrative staff; students in economics, management, engineering, and technology at partner universities; and the global expert community interested in gender equality in higher education | UEH Sustainable Finance Institute collaborated with the University of York to implement the British Council’s Gender Equality Partnerships Project, aiming to enhance women’s leadership in higher education in Vietnam.
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– The Institute has published 05 international articles in high-ranking field journals and 01 book chapter on topics related to sustainable development, closely linked to SDG 4, SDG 8, SDG 9, SDG 12, and SDG 13. In addition, the Institute has presented 03 articles at the CELG international conference, which focuses on the dual transformation approach between digitalization and climate change in developing countries, and 01 presentation at the international conference organized by JABES, which discusses economic issues, business in Asia, public policy, and public finance towards sustainable development. In particular, the SFI chaired 5 discussion sessions at prestigious international conferences, affirming the Institute’s academic position internationally.
– In 2024, 01 proposal for a ministerial-level scientific research topic on renewable energy and 02 university-level scientific research topics on circular economy and sustainable development were approved for funding. |
| Capacity-building and professional development support for female lecturers | International; activities through collaboration with other universities | Female lecturers, academic staff, and female students currently teaching, researching, or pursuing careers in sustainable finance at Vietnamese universities | The “Training for Trainer” project, within the framework of the Viet Nam Green Bond Readiness Program, jointly implemented by GGGI and the Ministry of Finance with funding from the Luxembourg Government, has completed learning materials, lectures and teaching guides. The project aimed to train core female trainers in universities, empowering them to deliver courses and build capacity in sustainable finance.
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– Developed and finalized a comprehensive curriculum, lecture materials, and teaching guidelines on sustainable finance.
– Strengthened the capacity of female lecturers and trainers in Vietnamese universities to integrate sustainable finance into higher education. – Enhanced women’s equal access to professional training and leadership in academic and financial sectors, contributing to empowerment and gender equality in education and research. |
| Recognizing and celebrating achievements of female staff members | Activities through university outreach; University-level event (UEH-wide) | Female lecturers, staff, and employees UEH | The UEH Awards 2024 was held to honor and acknowledge outstanding achievements and contributions by female educators, managers, and professionals across UEH’s three main pillars: Teaching, Research, and Administration/Service.
UEH Awards 2024: Ceremony Honoring Outstanding UEH Individuals and Affiliations |
– Women accounted for over 50% of total awardees across all recognition categories.
– Multiple awards were presented to female staff, including Unit of the Year; Lecturer of the Year; Manager of the Year; Staff of the Year; and “Outstanding Scientific Research of the Year “. – The event reinforced UEH’s commitment to workplace equality, women’s empowerment, and dignity in professional recognition, ensuring equal opportunities for advancement across all university functions. |
In 2023, the evidence primarily focused on UEH’s initiatives such as forums, conferences, communication campaigns, and interdisciplinary projects encouraging women’s participation in technology, mathematics, and engineering. These initiatives were implemented through collaborations with domestic and international universities and community partners. Many events successfully created spaces for exchange, mentoring, and awareness-raising for female students and staff; however, their scope remained mostly at the level of workshops, communication campaigns, and foundational cooperation models.
Moving into 2024, UEH’s activities became more systematic and in-depth. This is demonstrated through global-scale projects such as the partnership with the University of York (UK) and the British Council to enhance women’s leadership in higher education; capacity-building programs for female lecturers implemented in collaboration with international organizations (such as Luxembourg and GGGI); and interdisciplinary research projects and international conferences addressing female leadership, sustainable development, climate resilience, sustainable finance, and technological innovation.
Notably, the proportion of women serving as project leaders, mentors, or core lecturers in these programs increased significantly. The reach of these initiatives has also extended to the international community and universities beyond Vietnam, thereby elevating UEH’s academic and practical influence.
Overall, compared to 2023, UEH’s 2024 activities were not only more diverse in form – spanning research, training, knowledge transfer, and international collaboration – but also deeper in scientific engagement and broader in social impact, particularly in empowering female leaders, lecturers, researchers, and students within and beyond the university.
Open related links:
1. November 27, 2024 – [Podcast] “Business Innovation in ASEAN Countries: Examining the Impact of Managerial Experience, Practices, and the Role of Female CEOs” – conducted by UEH University – https://future.ueh.edu.vn/chi-tiet-knowlege/podcast-hoat-dong-doi-moi-cua-doanh-nghiep-tai-cac-nuoc-asean-xem-xet-tac-dong-cua-kinh-nghiem-quan-ly-thuc-tien-quan-ly-va-vai-tro-dieu-hanh-cua-nu-ceo/
2. October 27, 2024 – [Podcast] “Promoting the Role of Women in Building a Cultural Family in Ho Chi Minh City – According to Ho Chi Minh’s Ideology (Episode 1)” – https://future.ueh.edu.vn/chi-tiet-knowlege/podcast-phat-huy-vai-tro-cua-phu-nu-o-thanh-pho-ho-chi-minh-trong-xay-dung-gia-dinh-van-hoa-theo-tu-tuong-ho-chi-minh-ky-1/
3. October 27, 2024 – [Podcast] “Promoting the Role of Women in Building a Cultural Family in Ho Chi Minh City – According to Ho Chi Minh’s Ideology (Episode 2)” – https://future.ueh.edu.vn/chi-tiet-knowlege/podcast-phat-huy-vai-tro-cua-phu-nu-o-thanh-pho-ho-chi-minh-trong-xay-dung-gia-dinh-van-hoa-theo-tu-tuong-ho-chi-minh-ky-2/
4. RESEARCH PROJECT: “Gender-sensitizing for Design and Operation of Water-Energy-Climate Change Infrastructures in Soc Trang Province, Mekong Delta, Vietnam – GS4INFRA” 06/2024 – 05/2025 – https://ueh.edu.vn/en/event/research-project-gender-sensitizing-for-design-and-operation-of-water-energy-climate-change-infrastructures-in-soc-trang-province-mekong-delta-vietnam-gs4infra-06-2024-05-2025-72584
5. October 10, 2024 – GS4Infra Project: Fieldwork and Data Collection in Cu Lao Dung District, Soc Trang Province – https://future.ueh.edu.vn/en/tin-hang-ngay-en/gs4infra-project-fieldwork-and-data-collection-in-cu-lao-dung-district-soc-trang-province/
6. December 04, 2024 – GS4 Infra Research Project: Community capacity building training session in Cu Lao Dung district on December 2, 2024 – https://ueh.edu.vn/en/news/gs4-infra-research-project-community-capacity-building-training-session-in-cu-lao-dung-district-on-december-2-2024-73134
7. October 03, 2024 – UEH introduces the research project “Gender-sensitizing for Design and Operation of Water-Energy-Climate Change Infrastructures in Soc Trang Province, Mekong Delta, Vietnam – GS4Infra” – https://ueh.edu.vn/en/news/ueh-introduces-the-research-project-gender-sensitizing-for-design-and-operation-of-water-energy-climate-change-infrastructures-in-soc-trang-province-mekong-delta-vietnam-gs4infra-72586
8. January 12, 2024 – UEH Sustainable Finance Institute: Imprints in 2024 and the Journey to Accompany the SDGs – https://ueh.edu.vn/en/news/ueh-sustainable-finance-institute-imprints-in-2024-and-the-journey-to-accompany-the-sdgs-73298
9. May 02, 2024 – UEH Awards 2024: Ceremony Honoring Outstanding UEH Individuals and Affiliations – https://www.ueh.edu.vn/en/news/ueh-awards-2024-ceremony-honoring-outstanding-ueh-individuals-and-affiliations-71773
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