Working session of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) with the German International Cooperation Organization (GIZ) and universities in Ho Chi Minh City

On the morning of December 6, 2023, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) had a reception and working session with a delegation of experts from the German International Cooperation Organization (GIZ) and representatives of universities in Ho Chi Minh City, including Vietnamese-German University (VGU), Ho Chi Minh City Open University (OU), and University of Technology – Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City (BKU), to discuss the project “Digital Skills to Succeed -DigitalSkills2Succeed (DS2S)”.

On the morning of December 6, 2023, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) had a reception and working session with a delegation of experts from the German International Cooperation Organization (GIZ) and representatives of universities in Ho Chi Minh City, including Vietnamese-German University (VGU), Ho Chi Minh City Open University (OU), and University of Technology – Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City (BKU), to discuss the project “Digital Skills to Succeed -DigitalSkills2Succeed (DS2S)”.

Digital Skills to Succeed – DigitalSkills2Succeed (DS2S), a project implemented among India, Vietnam, Bangladesh and Germany, is chaired by GIZ and funded by the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany (BMZ), with the aims of improving the digital skills of graduates from higher education institutions, as well as young workers in the age of 17 and 35. By collaborating with regional universities as well as German universities, the project aims to promote digital skills according to international standards for labor markets in Asia and Europe.

The meeting consisted of 02 sessions: Session 1 was an exchange between UEH and the project’s expert group from GIZ; Session 2 was an exchange between UEH and GIZ, and universities in Ho Chi Minh City.

Representing UEH were Dr. Bui Quang Hung – Deputy Director of UEH and Head of the DS2S project research team in Vietnam; Associate Professor, Dr. Trinh Thuy Anh – Vice Head of UEH College of Technology and Design (UEH-CTD); Dr. Trinh Tu Anh – Director of Institute of Smart Cities and Management, UEH-CTD; Dr. Yi Dong Su – Vice Dean of School of Media Design, UEH-CTD; Mr. Vo Duc Hoang Vu – Deputy Head of Department of Scientific Management – International Cooperation; Dr. Pham Duong Phuong Thao – Deputy Head of Department of Scientific Management – International Cooperation; Mr. Tran Nhat Hoang – Deputy Director of Center for Technology and Design Training, UEH-CTD; Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao – Chief of UEH-CTD Office; Dr. Le Thi Hong Minh – Director of Marketing Technology Program (Martech), with members of the research team in Vietnam. On the side of GIZ, there were Ms. Sita Zimpel – Project Manager, GIZ Vietnam and Ms. Kim Thi Thu Ha – Project Specialist, GIZ Vietnam.

Overview of the first working session of the program

Speaking at Session 1 of the meeting, Dr. Bui Quang Hung – Deputy Director of UEH briefly introduced the organizational structure along with strategic directions to implement digital transformation at UEH. Accordingly, the digital transformation process at UEH revolves around three main pillars: Administration, Training and Research. UEH has been focusing on promoting the development of training programs and research projects in the fields of technology and design while maintaining its strengths in the fields of business, economics, law and government to train students to become global citizens acting for sustainable development.

Dr. Bui Quang Hung – Deputy Director of UEH – at the meeting

Representing the DS2S project in Vietnam, Ms. Sita Zimpel – Project Leader presented an overview of the project’s goals and research direction. She also expressed her appreciation for the enthusiastic support from UEH’s team of experts. She stated that UEH was a pioneering representative for Universities in Ho Chi Minh City where GIZ cooperated with to carry out the project.

Ms. Sita Zimpel – DS2S project leader in Vietnam – introducing the project

At the meeting, the attending lecturers shared about projects and programs being implemented at UEH to propose appropriate cooperation opportunities: programs under the UEH sustainable development project; smart urban projects; cooperation projects implemented with domestic and foreign partners; incubation projects and programs; short-term training courses on technology and design, etc.

Dr. Trinh Tu Anh – Director of the Institute of Smart Cities and Management UEH-CTD – introducing the sustainable development projects and smart urban projects to be implemented at UEH

Mr. Vo Duc Hoang Vu – Deputy Head of Department of Scientific Management – International Cooperation – introducing projects to be implemented in cooperation with UEH’s international partners

Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao – Chief of Office of UEH-CTD – sharing projects and incubation programs at UEH

After the first session of the meeting, UEH and GIZ agreed to discuss further about cooperation in various activities and projects on digital transformation, circular universities, green universities, smart cities, incubation projects, sustainable development projects, etc. with an existing network of experts, scientists and business partners from both sides. The connection and the cooperation between UEH and GIZ are promised to bring positive results for training and research, promoting innovation, and improving the quality of human resources for the goal of developing a sustainable community.

In the second session of the program, to introduce the DS2S project and discuss about connecting a network of potential universities in the field of digital transformation, UEH was honored to welcome delegates from universities in Ho Chi Minh City, including representatives of Vietnamese-German University (VGU), Dr. Ha Thuc Vien – Vice Principal and Ms. Dinh Nguyen Thien An – Center for Business Relations and Technology Transfer. On behalf of Ho Chi Minh City Open University (OU), there was the participation of Ms. Truong My Diem – Lecturer of the Faculty of Business Administration. Representing University of Technology – Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City (BKU) were Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Duong – International Relations Department and Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan – Communications Department.

Overview of the second working session of the program

Ms. Kim Thi Thu Ha, representing the GIZ expert delegation, presenting details regarding the DS2S project

Mr. Huynh Ngoc Quang Anh – Lecturer at the Institute of Innovation, UEH-CTD – representing the project research team DS2S project in Vietnam to present the project’s research results and proposals

At the working session, the delegates took turns sharing and discussing the advantages and disadvantages of digital skills training at current universities in Vietnam, as well as its needs, goals and results. The results that schools with their achievements through the DS2S project are to improve digital skills for students in particular and young human resources in general. From the sharing and suggestions of the participants along with the research results of the project research team in Vietnam under UEH, the expert team has drawn several important conclusions for the construction and development of the project. Developing micro-credential courses (Foundational Micro-credential Courses – FMC) with 03 major topics that the project will focus on, which are Artificial Intelligence, Data and Data Management, and Digital Entrepreneurship. Representing the DS2S project, Ms. Sita Zimpel proposed the connection among Universities in Vietnam with those in Germany, India and Bangladesh to build an international network of potential universities in the field of digital transformation. It is expected that in 2024, the project team will conduct regional, national, and international seminars and sign cooperation agreements with participating parties.

Dr. Ha Thuc Vien – Vice Rector f Vietnamese-German University (VGU) – commenting at the meeting

Ms. Truong My Diem – Lecturer at Faculty of Business Administration, Ho Chi Minh City Open University (OU) – sharing the difficulties in improving digital skills for learners in Vietnam

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Duong – representative of University of Technology – Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City (BKU), expressing her interest in the project

Associate Professor, Dr. Trinh Thuy Anh – Vice Head of UEH-CTD – representing UEH to express her views on the orientation of digital skills training for learners

Dr. Le Thi Hong Minh – Director of the Marketing Technology Program (Martech) of UEH at the meeting

Mr. Tran Nhat Hoang – Deputy Director of Center for Technology and Design Training, UEH-CTD – commenting on the construction and development of Short-term training  programs to improve learners’ digital skills

Concluding the meeting, Dr. Bui Quang Hung – Deputy Director of UEH welcomed the proposals of the project expert group. He stated that UEH was ready to participate and support the building of the above international expert network to promote training and research, develop digital thinking, and improve the professional capacity of lecturers, experts as well as learners at UEH.

Additional photos of the working session:

Dr. Bui Quang Hung – Deputy Director of UEH – presenting souvenirs to delegates attending the working session

Delegates took some photos

A delegation of experts from GIZ visiting and learning the facilities at UEH Campus B – 279 Nguyen Tri Phuong, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City

The working session with the German International Cooperation Organization and universities in Ho Chi Minh City ended successfully with many useful comments and sharing from participating delegates. The program in particular and the DS2S project in general have marked the beginning of a network for domestic and international experts, scientists, and businesses with the hope of improving the quality of young labor and becoming a premise for large-scale international cooperation activities, towards sustainable development for the community.

News and photos: CTD Office, Department of Marketing and Communication