Digital transformation in education and training, and in higher education at the University of Da Nang in particular, is becoming a strong development trend, especially in the context of the Politburo’s recent issuance of Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation. Digital transformation not only helps improve the quality of training but also meets the increasing needs of society and the labour market.

Changing the way of teaching and learning by integrating digital technology into training programmes helps the University of Economics, a member school of the University of Da Nang quickly adapt to the general development trend of society. Photo: THU HA

Digital transformation in teaching and learning

In addition to studying in the classroom, Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen, a student majoring in Business Administration, the University of Economics under the the University of Da Nang spends a lot of time studying on her own. With just a computer with an internet connection, Huyen can log in to her student account, connect to the school's document and open data repository, or review lessons, discuss with classmates and do group exercises.

According to Huyen, thanks to the application of information technology (IT), students can find documents through digital learning resources, track learning outcomes, feedback from lecturers and progress in completing assignments on the system easily. Students can access knowledge proactively and continuously.

From 2012 to 2024, the University of Economics has invested heavily in IT infrastructure and digital databases, upgraded the online learning management system (eLearning) and equipped devices for online learning.

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Van Huy, the Rector of the university, since its implementation, the system has become an indispensable part of teaching and learning activities at this university. With more than 10,000 students and 300 lecturers using it, the learning management system helps students easily access learning materials, teaching schedules and related announcements right from the beginning of the semester.

Each month, the system records more than 208,000 visits, showing students' active use of online learning tools. In the second semester of the 2023 - 2024 school year, the university deployed a hybrid learning model between direct teaching at the classroom and online learning through the development of the Study-Arts learning platform. This platform helps students be more flexible in accessing knowledge and optimising the use of digital learning resources.

In addition, the school's online learning platform integrates many tools such as teaching-themed videos, electronic learning materials, online discussion forums and interactive tests, helping lecturers easily manage classes and creating conditions for students to access a rich library of learning materials.

In addition, the university proactively builds and develops training programmes; regularly updates and integrates digital technology into training programmes, especially in fields with high technical requirements to meet the increasing needs of the digital labour market.

Similarly, the University of Foreign Language Studies under the University of Da Nang applied IT to teaching very early with an online learning management system (LMS) deployed since 2014. When COVID-19 occurred, it created a push for the application of IT and digital transformation to take place more strongly in all fields, management, teaching and learning.

According to Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Van Long, the Rector of the University of Foreign Language Studies, the university always proactively innovates and implements digital transformation comprehensively and synchronously through changing thinking, improving management models, innovating teaching and research methods such as organising many seminars and talks on digital transformation in general and the application of IT in management and teaching in particular; perfecting the system of internal documents, developing annual plans on digital transformation, investing in IT infrastructure systems; implementing combined offline and online training for all training programmes; organising exams, tests and assessments on computers; building electronic lectures and exam banks.

Towards a smart, sustainable university

With the orientation of applying technology and digital transformation towards building a comprehensive digital education ecosystem, Viet Nam - Korea University of Information Technology and Communications (VKU) under the University of Da Nang has proactively deployed IT applications and digital transformation in its activities such as synchronizing IT solutions in training management, scientific research, school administration and student support activities. VKU has built an online enrollment and admission system, allowing candidates to register for admission, submit applications and look up results quickly and conveniently.

According to Assoc.Prof. Dr. Huynh Cong Phap,the VKU's rector,  the university’s IT application and digital transformation strategy has been strongly implemented since 2020 with the goal of building itself into a smart university, meeting the requirements of the 4.0 industrial revolution, which has brought positive results. In 2024, VKU deployed a parent information portal, creating an effective connection channel between families and the university, helping parents promptly grasp information about their children’s learning and training.

In addition, the school now runs an online training management system, a digital library system, a school administration system, an online teaching system, and is a pioneer in applying artificial intelligence (AI) to teaching and research. Thanks to that, students have enjoyed a comprehensive learning and development environment, participate in academic playgrounds, and innovate right from year 1 and year 2 with competitions such as Robocar creation and beautiful web design, and won high prizes in many domestic and international competitions.

The University of Da Nang and its member schools have always identified digital transformation as a driving force for development, a new direction to improve the quality of training, scientific research and university administration. Therefore, the University of Da Nang has proactively implemented digital transformation in key areas: human resource training; strengthening research and application of IT in digital transformation and university administration.

At the same time, the University of Da Nang will continue to build and deploy information systems to serve administrative management, teaching and scientific research activities in a synchronous, integrated, shared and interconnected manner. Also, heed will be paid to carrying out the process of digitising and integrating related data to create and form knowledge repositories, learning materials and management database systems in the University of Da Nang system.

Reporting by THU HA - Translating by A.THU