UEH 48-year Celebration: Looking Back at the 3-year Journey of Making an Impression of the Multidisciplinary & Sustainable University

28 Oct, 2024

(October 27, 1976 - October 27, 2024) University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) has been through a 48-year journey of formation and remarkable development with many important milestones. The three-year period between 2021 - 2024 is a completely special period for UEH when witnessing our important milestones and leaving strong marks in the development history of the University. These are meaningful launching pads for the 5th anniversary of UEH Vinh Long in 2025 and the 50th anniversary of UEH in 2026.

Being the first University in economics and management in Vietnam, established with the mission of training research, management and teaching staff for the economic sector to meet the urgent needs of the South after the country's reunification on October 27, 1976, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) - is curently a national key public, multi-disciplinary, university with more than 30,000 students from Undergraduate, Master, to PhD from all regions of Vietnam and internationally.

Within the journey of development and international integration, UEH has been through many important stages of development: (1) Inception (1975 - 1976), (2) Construction (1977 - 1985), (3) "Innovation" and development (1986 - 2000), (4) Brand affirmation (2001 - 2010), (5) Autonomy and Internationalization (2011 - 2020), (6) Multidisciplinary and Sustainable UEH University (2021 - 2030).

Milestones in just 3 years: 48-year achievements of formation and development

* 2021: Transforming into a Multidisciplinary and Sustainable University

The first milestone in the 3-year journey of many changes was when UEH announced our pursuit of a Multidisciplinary and Sustainable University strategy. Accordingly, UEH reorganized our administration and repositioned the University brand.

The Multidisciplinary University Model is restructured having 3 Member Colleges: UEH College of Business (COB); UEH College of Economics, Law and Government (CEGL); UEH College of Technology and Design (CTD), developing on a solid foundation of long-standing reputation in training and research in the fields of Business, Economics, Law and Government.

UEH University brand is repositioned in terms of identity and orientation, with 5 pioneering pillars of Sustainable Action, specifically (1) Training Global Citizens - Sustainable Action; (2) Research for the Community; (3) Operation: From circular campus to green university; (4) Community of people who inspire art and lead change for sustainable development; (5) Governance: Prioritizing sustainable development.

5 Pillar Model of Strategy for Implementing Sustainable Action University

* 2023: Officially receiving the decision to become a Multidisciplinary University

With a carefully prepared roadmap and solid steps, especially focusing on the step of equipping internal resources for transformation, on October 4, 2023, the Prime Minister signed Decision 1146/QD-TTg on transforming UEH into a University, officially becoming one of 8 higher education institutions in Vietnam operating under the model of “Multidisciplinary University”, unified and integrated with the system of advanced universities in the world. Based on that, UEH officially begins a new journey with a new name and position “University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City”.

Ceremony to announce the Prime Minister's decision to transform University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH)

* 2024: Entering the Top 501-600 World Universities (THE Rankings)

The Party and Government’s international integration policy, the comprehensive autonomy strategy in 2008, the persistent internationalization journey since 2012, and the Multidisciplinary University model promoting the internal strength of each unit and the transformation into a University committed to sustainable action in the past 3 years are the important driving forces that continuously push UEH forward. The clearest evidence is that UEH recently officially entered the Top 501-600 World Universities in 2025 according to the Times Higher Education (THE) Ranking.

Looking back at the 3-year journey of the Multidisciplinary & Sustainable UEH University

Pioneering changes, the 5-pillar Multidisciplinary and Sustainable University strategy has been initiated and determinedly implemented by UEH in the past 3 years. Along with that is the effort to perfect the Multidisciplinary University Model.

In terms of training, UEH trains learners with in-depth and multidisciplinary knowledge, knowing and being aware of SDGs, and clearly understanding the social, economic and environmental impacts on their future careers and professional work. This is the reason why the subject "Sustainable Development" is integrated into all majors. UEH expands the form of training from online to offline, from traditional classrooms to short-term courses, and various models listed as business cooperation (Asean Coop), aiming to facilitate the lifelong learning journey of each individual.

Regarding research, UEH has contributed more than 500 research papers/year in various fields, in which 311 research papers by lecturers and 71 papers by students are related to SDGs. Moreover, innovative technology initiatives to solve existing problems on campus are researched and developed by UEHer, listed as the AI Scan To Classify application to classify waste or gamification to educate knowledge reagrding the environment and green lifestyle UEH Green Campus Game.

Regarding governance, UEH has integrated sustainability orientation into the governance system through the OKRs mechanism, empowering each unit and individual to proactively contribute to the sustainable development strategy. In addition, there is a focus on culture, communication, and internal engagement activities with the spirit of "One UEH".

Regarding operations, with the commitment of “words go hand in hand with actions”, UEH has determined to implement measures to minimize environmental impacts right on the academic campuses, notably the UEH Green Campus project operated under the Living Lab model. Up to the current time, with all efforts, 4.5 tons of recyclable waste at UEH has been classified and transferred, processed, and recycled according to the recycled waste circulation model, contributing to turning the campus into a sustainable operating space, with the participation of 80% of students and staff in green activities.

As for community connection, UEH has established an international community of sustainability partners through the International Forum for Sustainable Development (IFS) to learn and to share experiences from experts and organizations. Along with that, within the framework of the UEH Global Learning digital transformation project, many competitions and training courses have been organized listed as STEM UEH Mekong, Drone Vinh Long, Robocon UEH, to promote the community of students and teachers to apply technology and to develop innovation.

Understanding resources is an important premise for all the above-mentioned efforts, UEH has gradually improved the multidisciplinary university model. The project to restructure, to organize and to rearrange functional management units to establish Depertments according to the university model has been implemented since the beginning of 2024 (Resolution No. 40-NQ/DU of the UEH Party Committee). Up to the current time, UEH has successfully operated a 3-level model: University - Member College/Branch - School/Institute/Department under the University/Branch with 3 Member Colleges and 1 Branch. 9 Departments under the University Management have been completely restructured, including Department of Training, Department of Infrastructure Management, Department of Research - Development and Global Engagement, Department of Finance and Investment Planning, Human Resources and Organisation Development Department, Department of Communications and Partnerships, Department of Student Affairs; University Office and Party - Union Office.

UEH announcing and awarding resolutions on the establishment and appointment of leaders of units in January, May, and October 2024

With the spirit of leading changes, clearly planning strategies, autonomous management thinking and willingness to empower along with the continuous efforts of each UEHer, UEH has maintained its inherent development momentum and affirmed its pioneering role as a national key university in bringing Vietnamese education closer to international standards. In particular, after nearly 5-year establishment, UEH Vinh Long has affirmed our reputation and brand in the Mekong Delta and the whole country. UEH Vinh Long has been ready to celebrate the 5^th anniversary of the establishment of this Campus (December 4, 2019 - December 4, 2024), striving for comprehensive development to affirm the role of UEH Vinh Long in contributing to the development of the Mekong Delta for a sustainable Mekong.

It can be affirmed that the past three-year journey has been a period of strong transformation for UEH, marking proud steps in the journey of Multidisciplinary and Sustainable development. With a solid foundation and new goals in the period of 2024 - 2025, UEH will be continuing to affirm our pioneering role, constantly innovating and acting for a better future.

News and photos: UEH Department of Communications and Partnerships, Sustainable University Project Borad