“Digi:Đổi” – The Digital Transformation in Higher Education Consortium Project in Vietnam is an international collaboration funded by the British Council. The project, running from 2022 to 2025, focuses on enhancing the digital transformation capacity of universities in Vietnam. Through its student-centered approach, “Digi:Đổi” employs project-based learning methods to accelerate the development and application of technology in education.
The “Digi:Đổi” Consortium Showcase Event summarized the project’s implementation from 2022 to 2024
The project is co-lead by Liverpool John Moores University (UK) and Phu Xuan University (Vietnam), involving the participation of several renowned domestic and international organizations. Key partners include the Vietnam Association of Universities and Colleges, DLCORP (Vietnam), JISC (UK), the Association for Learning Technology (UK), Open University (UK), and Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (Indonesia). The project also benefits from the contribution of experts within the ASEAN university network.
“Digi:Đổi” aims to build a digital transformation ecosystem for higher education, improving the quality of teaching and learning. Its goals include establishing digital transformation centers, implementing group mentoring programs, and offering practical training for universities. Additionally, the project seeks to contribute to policy dialogue and create a model of digital transformation that optimizes teaching and learning methods, thereby driving significant advancements in Vietnam’s higher education system.
With over 300 projects initiated by leaders, lecturers, and students, along with training programs and group mentoring facilitated by experts from Vietnam and the UK, “Digi:Đổi” has had a significant impact in fostering a culture of digital transformation and enhancing digital capabilities within Vietnam’s higher education sector.
The “Digi:Đổi” Consortium Showcase Event, held on October 2-3, 2024, in Ho Chi Minh City, summarized the project’s implementation from 2022 to 2024. The event featured nearly 30 presentations by UK and Vietnamese experts, covering practical topics such as digital transformation strategies, the application of digital technologies in teaching, and trends in international digital education and multicultural collaboration. The two-day workshop attracted over 100 in-person delegates and nearly 200 online participants, including leaders, lecturers, and students from more than 40 universities, research institutes, and businesses across the country.
Delegates attending the “Digi:Đổi” Consortium Showcase Event
In the opening speech, Ms. Hoang Van Anh, Director of the Higher Education and Skills Programme at the British Council, expressed her honor to witness the achievements of the “Digi:Đổi” project over the past two years. She praised the project’s accomplishments and emphasized its potential to contribute valuable policy recommendations that will support the continued digital transformation of Vietnamese universities.
Professor Tony Wall, the UK Project Leader, highlighted the critical role of collaboration in digital transformation. With more than 300 projects involving over 500 lecturers and staff, and 3,000 students, the “Digi:Đổi” Consortium has established a strong digital transformation network across Vietnam. Prof. Wall commended the innovative efforts of Vietnam’s university leaders and lecturers and celebrated the project’s achievements in driving digital transformation.
Dr. Ho Thi Hanh Tien, Director of the Institute for Partnership Development and Vice Chairwoman of Phu Xuan University Council, provided an overview of the project’s progress from 2022 to 2024. She stressed: “In an era of rapid technological advancement, embracing digital transformation in higher education is not only necessary but also a key responsibility to prepare future generations with the skills and knowledge required by the global labor market.”
Dr. Ho Thi Hanh Tien, Director of the Institute for Partnership Development and Vice Chairwoman of Phu Xuan University Council, provided an overview of the project’s progress from 2022 to 2024
The conference provided a platform to share insights into digital transformation ecosystems in Vietnam’s universities. Notable presentations included Mr. Duong Van Diep from BK Holdings on Vietnam’s Digital Transformation Strategy in Higher Education, and Mr. Hoang Dung from DLCORP, who discussed the role of digital culture and literacy in shaping human resources and transforming universities.
Leaders from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Lac Hong University, Dong Nai University of Technology, and Ly Thai To College also shared their institutions’ digital transformation journeys and ecosystems. Representatives of two additional British Council-funded projects for the 2022-2025 period participated, sharing their own successes and challenges.
Experts from the UK presented insights into future trends in learning, teaching, and international collaboration. Notably, Prof. Tony Wall (Liverpool John Moores University) discussed developing teaching and research practices, while Dr. Sonja Rewhorn (Open University) and Dr. Alison Lui (Liverpool John Moores University) highlighted the potential of Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects. Other presentations included Dr. Scott Foster’s (Liverpool John Moores University) discussion on navigating the PhD journey in the digital era, and Dr. Katie Hyslop’s (Liverpool John Moores University) exploration of digital badges and their future possibilities.
The event also featured open discussions on various practical topics, including Cultural Bumps Analysis (HUFLIS), Microsoft 365 Applications for Operations and Training in Universities (VLU), and the role of digital technology in smart city courses at the University of Technology and Education – University of Da Nang (UTE), IT Program for underage students (MKU), Online Workshop for High School Students (UEF), “Open Education” Project (LHU), Fostering a quality culture at Higher Education institutions (HUTECH – UEF), Digi:Doi for women in business (PXU).
In reflecting on the conference, Mr. Pham Ngoc Lan, Head of the Membership Department at the Vietnam Association of Universities and Colleges, remarked: “The “Digi:Đổi” project has successfully transferred not only knowledge and experience but also deepened our strategic thinking on how to implement digital transformation. I hope that Vietnamese universities and colleges will continue to embrace the spirit of learning and creativity as they build comprehensive digital ecosystems.”
The “Digi:Đổi” Consortium Showcase Event summarized the project’s implementation from 2022 to 2024
At the end of the workshop, the representative of the project expressed his expectation that the “Digi:Đổi” project will continue to spread strongly through the expansion of the network between Vietnam and the UK, strengthening training and mentoring programs, promoting research cooperation, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of Vietnamese higher education in the digital era.