UEH and World Bank's specialists joining the workshop on "Navigating the digital frontier: Integrating digital economy and technology transformation into curricula"

On July 10^th, 2023, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City held a workshop to discuss the need to integrate digital economy and digital transformation into UEH's curricula in the future.

The workshop attracted the enthusiastic participation of director of training programs. Notably, the workshop received valuable contributions from experts of the Fulbright Scholar program. The key speaker was Dr. Lesly Goh, World Bank Group Senior Technology Advisor; Cambridge Judge Business School Fellow, NUS Lee Kuan Yew Public Policy Senior Fellow, Fulbright Expert, Board Member of Government Technology Agency of Singapore. On the side of University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, there was the participation of Dr. Dinh Cong Khai - Vice president of UEH, Assoc. Pham Khanh Nam - Associate Rector of College of Economics, Law and Government, Deans and Vice Deans of many UEH training units. The workshop was implemented in the form of an interactive dialogue, encouraging active participation and effective discussions among all attendees.

The workshop, which lasted for over two hours, yielded several significant points that should be taken into consideration during the revision and development of curricula. These key points are as follows:

The university could design new courses and new programs that specifically focused on Technology 4.0 and the digital economy, covering topics such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics, blockchain, cybersecurity, digital marketing, and e-commerce.

The integration of technology 4.0 and digital economy into curricula can involve adding modules, case studies, or projects that address the application and implications of emerging technologies.

The integration of technology and the digital economy into curricula should include not only technical aspects but also social and human dimensions. UEH can incorporate modules or courses that address the ethical, legal, and social implications of technology 4.0. It can also explore topics like privacy, algorithmic bias, digital divide, and the impact of technology on society, ensuring students develop a well-rounded understanding of the digital landscape.

UEH should infuse digital skills, data culture and computational thinking by embedding digital skills and computational thinking training throughout the curricula, ensuring that students acquire essential competencies such as data analysis, coding, information literacy, and digital communication.

It is necessary to establish a roadmap for the integration of technology and the digital economy into the existing programs.

Collaborating with industry and international organizations is of utmost importance as these partnerships will play a crucial role in ensuring the success of the integration efforts. UEH should establish partnerships with industry organizations to provide real-world exposure and experiential learning opportunities for students. This can include internships, industry-led projects, guest lectures, or industry-sponsored competitions.

The university should develop a comprehensive plan for the training of trainers and provide continuous professional development. UEH should offer faculty and staff training programs to enhance their knowledge and skills in technology 4.0. This will ensure they are well-equipped to deliver high-quality education and keep pace with rapid technological advancements.

UEH should promote entrepreneurial mindset and innovation culture by integrating entrepreneurship courses, start-up incubators, and innovation centers into the curricula. The university should encourage students to develop and implement technology-based business ideas.

At the end of the workshop, Dr. Lesly introduced many materials and open resources to be shared with participants. Training program directors also actively booked working schedules with the Fulbright specialists to discuss more details.