Challenges become opportunities for higher education to promote digital transformation

These are the issues being discussed at an international seminar themed “Digital transformation and Higher education: When challenges are opportunities” on September 10.

The virtual seminar was held by the International Institute of Francophonie (IFI) and Vietnam National University - Hanoi in collaboration with a number of domestic and foreign universities. The event drew the participation of various prestigious experts, scientists and managers in the education and training sector both from Vietnam and abroad.

According to the seminar’s organising board, the COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on higher education around the world over the past two years. When universities were forced to close, teaching and learning had to move to online forms. Therefore, teachers and students must also transform and adapt to the use of technology like never before.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi My Loc from University of Education under the Vietnam National University - Hanoi said that the whole education sector has identified the application of information technology (IT) as one of nine key tasks to effectively implement Resolution No. 29-NQ/TU on the fundamental and comprehensive reform of education and training. A series of policies have been issued to boost digital transformation in education; a specific mechanism was implemented for the training of IT human resources. Teachers have been mobilised to participate and share learning materials in the sector’s digital data warehouse; contributing nearly 5,000 high-quality e-learning lectures, nearly 7,000 theses, and a multiple-choice question bank with over 31,000 questions.

However, according to Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi My Loc, the digital transformation of the education sector still faces many difficulties and problems that need to be further improved such as network infrastructure and IT equipment (such as computers, cameras, printers and scanners), transmission line and internet services for schools, teachers and students. The development of digital learning materials (such as e-book, e-library, multiple-choice question banks, e-lectures and simulation application software) is still developing spontaneously, so it is difficult to control the quality and contentsof learning. The collection, sharing and exploitation of educational management data and digital learning materials need a common legal corridor in accordance with regulations on copyright, intellectual property, information security,e-transactions and information distribution laws.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Minh Thuy, Director of the Institute for Research and Development of Culture, Language and Education, said that in order to ensure quality in digital transformation for education, it is crucial to implement a synchronous roadmap for implementation while developing policies and plans on online teaching and learning. Depending on the type of class and the requirements of the subject, it is necessary to have appropriate regulations to ensure maximum interaction.

According to Prof.Dr. Le Anh Vinh, one of the prerequisites for successful digital transformation is how to embrace change and accept innovation. Higher education in Vietnam should receive investment and promote the sense of determination to implement digital transformation. Also at the seminar, Prof. Ronald Strickland from Michigan Technological University in the US and Prof. Vasclav Snášel, Rector of the Technical University of Ostrava in the Czech Republic as well as many other speakers and researchers presented their research, assessments, solutions and discussions on the challenges and opportunities facing digital transformation in higher education.