The main theme discussed at the seminar "The Future of Higher Education in the Digital and Green Transition Economy" was digital and green transformation, contributing to enhancing the quality of higher education in the digital economy. This seminar was organized by the University of Economics - Vietnam National University, Hanoi in cooperation with the CT. Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston and the Houston City Government, USA.
The seminar served as a platform for experts, scholars, and policymakers from the United States and Vietnam to exchange ideas and practical experiences in training, education, and the economic relations of the two countries. Attendees from the University of Economics - VNU included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Truc Le, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Anh Thu, along with representatives from various departments, faculties, lecturers, and students. From CT. Bauer College of Business, Frank Kelley, and other team members participated; the Houston City Government was represented by Mazda Denon, Director of Global Trade for the Mayor's Office of Trade and International Affairs, Jessica Ngo, Head of the Reception Department (Office of Trade and International Affairs, Mayor's Office, City of Houston), Douglas Balko, Director of the Office of Administration and Economic Growth, USAID, among others attending online via Zoom.
At the opening speech, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Truc Le highlighted that the event was an important forum for exchanging ideas and practical experiences in training, education, as well as economic relations between the two countries, and fostering entrepreneurship and a dynamic environment, establishing international connectivity and dissemination mechanisms for innovative entrepreneurial ideas of students from both universities and countries.
Mr. Douglas Balko discussed how the seminar brought together leading experts, scholars, and policymakers on modern higher education trends in the context of digital transformation, aiming to enhance exchanges and promote Vietnam-US cooperation in innovative and sustainable higher education development in Vietnam. He emphasized the importance of connecting higher education institutions between Hanoi and Houston.
Sharing with the participants and students, Mazda Denon mentioned that Houston's diverse economy offers various job opportunities for those looking to study and settle there, attracting many Vietnamese students recently. He hoped that Jessica Ngo's presentation would provide more insights into digital and green transformation models in Houston.
During the seminar, the main discussion topics presented by the speakers included sustainable higher education models and policies; internationalization in higher education; creating a connecting environment between enterprises and higher education institutions; and promoting international collaborative models to support and incubate startups and innovation.
In a roundtable discussion session chaired by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Anh Thu, speakers and policymakers discussed the "Educational, Cultural, Energy, and Economic Relations between Vietnam and Houston/USA." They emphasized the role of leading universities in equipping students with thinking, skills, and tools to integrate into a rapidly developing world. They also focused on investing in joint research projects, organizing international conferences, building economic management programs in the energy transition sector, providing well-trained management personnel to corporations and enterprises, collaborating in startup programs, and establishing faculty exchange programs.
At the end of the seminar, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Anh Thu, on behalf of the University of Economics - VNU leadership, thanked the speakers for their valuable contributions to the two universities in particular and higher education in general in the context of digital and green transition. The seminar also provided an opportunity for both sides to share knowledge and experience in supporting entrepreneurial activities, managing innovation, and developing technological applications in higher education, facilitating conditions for universities and students to expand opportunities for study, internships, and job search to meet high and modern international standards.
As a leading university in business education and management research, the University of Economics - Vietnam National University, Hanoi, is committed to comprehensively developing the capabilities of its learners and nurturing values for students and faculty to keep pace with the development of advanced education systems. The contributions and shared experiences of educational organizations and renowned universities worldwide will be invaluable in shaping the future of higher education in the digital and green transitioning Vietnamese economy.