UEH News

An activity series towards the 15th Congress of the Party Committee of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, term 2025-2030

UEH’s Modern University Governance Strategy (2011–2025): 15 Years of Comprehensive Autonomy, Digital Transformation, and Sustainable Development

Over more than a decade (2011–2025), the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) has progressively built a next-generation academic campus – a harmonious convergence of advanced technology, green spaces, and progressive educational philosophy. Beginning with the “smart campus” model centered on learner experience, UEH has made a decisive shift toward a “green – circular – responsible” approach, aligning with the global trend of sustainable universities. This article outlines the profound transformation in the design, management, and operation of university spaces – from smart to green, from utility to harmony, from growth to sustainable development – affirming UEH’s long-term, consistent, and pioneering strategy within Vietnam’s higher education ecosystem.

In preparation for the 15th UEH Party Congress, the university is conducting a comprehensive review of its development journey during 2011–2025 – a significant milestone that highlights UEH’s breakthrough thinking in its development orientation, based on five strategic pillars: Education, Research, Governance, Operations, and Community. This is not only an opportunity to summarize achievements and lessons learned after 15 years of transformation but also a chance to reaffirm the strategic vision that has been steadfastly pursued and to lay the groundwork for the next phase of development. 

1. SMART AND INTERNATIONALLY STANDARDIZED ACADEMIC CAMPUS (2011–2020)

2. LAUNCHING THE GREEN UNIVERSITY MODEL (2021–2022)

3. DEVELOPING THE LIVING LAB UEH GREEN CAMPUS (2023–2024)

4. LAUNCHING THE CARBON-NEUTRAL UNIVERSITY MODEL (2025–2030)

SMART AND INTERNATIONALLY STANDARDIZED ACADEMIC CAMPUS (2011–2020

The period 2011–2020 marked UEH’s strategic beginning in shaping a smart and internationally standardized academic campus – laying a solid foundation for comprehensive transformation in the years to come. With a long-term vision, UEH implemented the Master Plan for Infrastructure Development through 2020, continuously investing in and modernizing facilities at multiple locations: 59C Nguyen Dinh Chieu Campus, the sports and extracurricular complex in District 8, Campus C (91 3/2 Street), UEH Library, Hall A116, among others.

Alongside physical development, UEH accelerated the application of information technology with the Learning Management System (LMS), the digital library, digitized resources, and the Virtual Campus project – initial steps toward creating a smart university environment.

The hallmark of this period was the inauguration of Campus B1 at 279 Nguyen Tri Phuong (15 stories), completion of Phase 1 of the Nguyen Van Linh Project, and the launch of the UEH Smart Library and UEH Boutique Hotel – projects that vividly reflected UEH’s internationalization ambitions in campus operations.

With six academic and administrative campuses, three dormitories, a sports complex, and a synchronized modern technology system, this period laid the groundwork for UEH’s robust transformation, paving the way for the green and circular development era in the following decade.

LAUNCHING THE GREEN UNIVERSITY MODEL (2021–2022

In 2021–2022, UEH officially laid the first bricks in constructing the green university model – initiating a comprehensive transformation in infrastructure, operational technology, and sustainable development mindset. With a system of 10 campuses, three dormitories, and one branch, UEH continuously expanded academic spaces and upgraded facilities for teaching, research, and student life. Notable upgrades included Campus A (Nguyen Dinh Chieu), Campus H (Hoang Dieu), Campuses D and E, and the sports complex at Nguyen Van Linh Campus – gradually shaping a modern, efficient, and friendly learning environment.

On the digital front, UEH continued to pioneer technology adoption in management and education: Hybrid Learning System, virtual reality, digital signatures, e-office, UEHer e-card, Shuttle Bus app, online examination system, electronic certification, CRM integration, and more. Simultaneously, UEH emphasized sustainable education communication through the “From Multichannel Communication to Balanced Messaging” strategy and launched UEH Studio – a center for producing digital teaching resources to disseminate knowledge to the community.

The highlight of this period was the launch of the UEH Green Campus Project. In 2021, in response to the growing waste pollution crisis in Vietnam and globally, UEH partnered with the Vietnam Zero Waste Alliance to implement the “UEH Zero Waste Campus” model at Nguyen Van Linh Campus, aiming to build a zero-waste university ecosystem.

The 2021–2022 period was not only the starting point for UEH’s green university model but also a strong commitment by a pioneering university to connect technology, people, and knowledge for sustainable development, making a positive contribution to the community and the planet.

DEVELOPING THE LIVING LAB UEH GREEN CAMPUS (2023–2024

Continuing the journey of establishing the green university model, in 2023–2024, UEH officially built and operated the Living Lab model – a creative innovation ecosystem where students, faculty, and the community co-create a sustainable, friendly, and humane learning environment.

UEH continued to comprehensively upgrade facilities, incorporating advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, gamification, multichannel CRM, the UEH Advisor learning support platform, and the UniPass smart bus card into operations, management, and learner experience enhancement. Meanwhile, the UEH Knowledge Base, online consultation channels, and support hotlines continued to play an effective role in comprehensive connection and support.

UEH has become not only a place of learning but also a multidimensional academic living space, featuring prominent artistic, cultural, and internationalization activities such as: UEH Theatre, international concerts, acoustic shows, skill exchange series, vibrant movement activities, and more – all contributing to the creation of a dynamic, inspiring, and “Happy University” environment.

In 2024, UEH entered a phase of broader influence by completing the Living Lab Green Campus product ecosystem – gradually realizing a comprehensive green university model: UEH Green Campus – Subject: Integrating environmental and sustainable development content into the curriculum; UEH Green Campus – Game: Gamifying green communication and education in an engaging, accessible way; Circular of Recycled Waste System in Campus: Closed-loop recycling process, standardizing waste sorting and reuse on campus; i Ve Chai Machine: Smart machine for collecting recyclable waste and exchanging reward points – encouraging source separation; Green Researchers Community: Network of green researchers – connecting and promoting environmental scientific work; Campaign “Towards No Single-use Plastic Campus Future”: Campaign for a single-use plastic-free UEH; Let’s Green UniTour: Communication activities, sharing the model with universities and communities domestically and internationally

After more than two years of operation, the UEH Green Campus project has produced clear results: nearly 8 tons of recyclable waste collected and given new life cycles, thousands of learners educated on environmental awareness through gamification, digital technology, and sustainable communication activities. These figures affirm the Living Lab model’s impact in changing mindsets and behaviors for a greener future.

From an internal initiative, UEH Green Campus has become a symbol of university responsibility, connecting knowledge, community, and action – moving toward the goal of a Multidisciplinary and Sustainable University for people, the community, and the planet.

LAUNCHING THE CARBON-NEUTRAL UNIVERSITY MODEL (2025–2030)

From 2025–2030, UEH will officially launch the Carbon-Neutral University model – a pivotal phase in the strategy to build a Multidisciplinary and Sustainable University (2025–2050). With an ever-expanding scale, including 10 campuses, three dormitories, and two branches in Nha Trang and Vinh Long, UEH continues to demonstrate its pioneering role in educational innovation linked to social and environmental responsibility.

This is not merely a continuation of the Living Lab – Green Campus model, but a comprehensive transformation in university governance, where sustainable development goals (SDGs) are not only integrated into the curriculum but also become operational principles throughout the UEH system.

Accordingly, UEH has set clear objectives for each specific stage: 2025: Initiate emission awareness and develop an action plan; 2027: Pilot a simulated carbon credit market; 2030: Achieve comprehensive emission reduction

The 2025–2030 launch phase will lay the crucial foundation for UEH to achieve: 2040: Neutral Carbon status – total emissions fully balanced by absorption or carbon offsetting measures; 2050: Net Zero – completely eliminating net emissions, aiming for a perfectly sustainable university with a positive climate impact

“Launching the Carbon-Neutral University model is a strong affirmation of UEH’s commitment to sustainability. This is not just an emission management strategy, but a journey of raising awareness, changing behavior, and cultivating a generation of global citizens who are knowledgeable, responsible, and proactive for the planet’s future.”