On January 4th, 2022, the Central Council of Theoretical Studies and Foreign Trade University co-organized a national scientific conference with the topic “Building a digital economy for sustainable and comprehensive development.” The conference received significant attention and participation from participants, including leaders from various ministries, departments, research institutions, businesses, leading experts in the field of digital economics, academic staff, researchers, Ph.D. candidates, and undergraduate students from all three campuses of Foreign Trade University.
Participating in the presentation and discussion at the conference were policymakers, experts, and reputable speakers in the field of digital economic research, as well as representatives from organizations and businesses, notably Mrs. Pham Chi Lan, an economic expert and former Vice President of VCCI (Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry); Mr. Le Dang Doanh, an economic expert and former Director of the Central Institute for Economic Management.
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Thuy – Chair of the Professor Council in Information Technology, Vice President of National Key Science and Technology Program for research, development and application of Industry 4.0 Technologies; Mr. Vo Tri Thanh – Former Deputy Director of the Central Institute for Economic Management, Director of the Institute for Brand Strategy and Competition. Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan – CEO of The Boston Global Forum in the United States, Director of the Michael Dukakis Institute for Leadership and Innovation (MDI), Co-Founder of AI World Society Innovation Network (AIWS.city); Mr. Florian J. Beranek – Lead Expert Responsible Business Development at UNIDO Vietnam.
The conference also had the participation of representatives from various ministries, sectors, and localities, such as Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Van Linh, Vice Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council; Mr. Vu Hong Nam, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to Japan, along with numerous leaders from specialized departments within Vietnam Central Economic Commission, the Government Office, and the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics; leaders from numerous domestic and international corporations, including Mr. Nguyen Minh Quy, Chairman of Novaon Group; Mr. Tran Dang Nam, Chairman and CEO of Dolphin Sea Airservice Corporation, Chairman of the Hanoi Young Entrepreneurs Association; Mr. Hoang Dinh Nam, Chairman of NRS Raiza Express.
Regarding universities and foreign business leaders, the conference featured opinions from: Prof. Jota Ishikawa, Japan; Mr. Patrick Kim, South Korea; Mr. Thomas G. Giglione, Canada on topics related to digital payment methods and the development of a workforce suitable for the requirements of the digital economy.
From the Foreign Trade University, the conference saw the participation of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Anh Tuan, Secretary of the Party Committee, President of Foreign Trade University; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thi Thu Thuy, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairwoman of the University Council of Foreign Trade University; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thu Huong, Vice President of Foreign Trade University; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Ngoc Tien, Vice President of Foreign Trade University and heads and deputy heads of units, along with all the students from the three campuses in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Quang Ninh.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Anh Tuan, President of Foreign Trade University, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Van Linh, Vice Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council, delivered opening speeches at the conference, emphasizing the significance of the conference and the pressing relevance of the issues it addresses.
The conference was divided into two parts. The first part featured presentations from leading experts in the field of digital economics, followed by a discussion session among invited experts and scholars, providing participants with a multidimensional perspective on the digital economy and its path toward sustainable and comprehensive growth in Vietnam.
The conference featured presentations on various critical topics, including the national strategy for artificial intelligence with exponential technologies in the digital economy, challenges and opportunities of digital transformation in Vietnam from a labor market standpoint, and ethical considerations within the digital economy. Some solutions suggested by the speakers for Vietnam’s development of the digital economy in the near future included improving the legal framework for digital economic development, investing in the construction of digital infrastructure, promoting e-government activities, encouraging proactive and technology transfer among businesses, supporting the growth of digital technology startups, enhancing the training and development of digital workforce; updating and renewing training programs in collaboration with business communities and applying practical science, technology, and new digital platforms to serve education and research. The presentations from the speakers provided a comprehensive perspective on the multifaceted challenges and opportunities in the digital economy and sustainable growth.
Following the presentation sessions of the speakers, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Xuan Binh, Dean of Faculty of International Economics, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Hoang Nam, Head of the Scientific Management Department at Foreign Trade University, chaired the discussion session. This session provided the conference guests with in-depth and up-to-date insights into digital economic development. The speakers focused their discussions on core issues concerning the establishment of a digital economy, such as policy frameworks, technology for the digital economy, and the development of a workforce capable of contributing to digital economic growth.
In his closing remarks at the conference, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Anh Tuan, President of Foreign Trade University, emphasized the vital role of human resources in digital economic development towards sustainable and comprehensive growth. Human resources need to take a proactive stance in matters related to digital economic development, as this is crucial for achieving sustainable and comprehensive growth. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Anh Tuan stated that the conference served as a preparatory step, providing insights and inspiration for the University’s future endeavors in building and advancing the digital economic field.
At the end of the conference, the organizers received numerous positive feedback regarding both the content and the format of the event. Despite being conducted in a hybrid online and in-person format, it proved effective, fostering connection and information exchange among delegates, guests, and speakers from policy-making institutions, universities, research institutes, businesses, and organizations both within and outside of Vietnam.
Some photos from the conference:
Delegates participated in the conference
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Anh Tuan, Secretary of the Party Committee and President of Foreign Trade University delivered the opening speech at the conference
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Van Linh, Vice Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council delivered a welcoming speech at the conference
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Xuan Binh, Dean of Faculty of International Economics, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Hoang Nam, Head of the Scientific Management Department at Foreign Trade University, chaired the discussion session
Mr. Vu Hong Nam, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to Japan delivered his speech at the conference
Mr. Le Dang Doanh, an economic expert and former Director of the Central Institute for Economic Management participated in online discussion
Mrs. Pham Chi Lan, an economic expert and former Vice President of VCCI delivered her speech at the conference
Mr. Vo Tri Thanh – Former Deputy Director of the Central Institute for Economic Management, Director of the Institute for Brand Strategy and Competition participated in the conference
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Thuy – Chair of the Professor Council in Information Technology, Vice President of National Key Science and Technology Program for research, development and application of Industry 4.0 Technologies delivered his speech at the conference
Mr. Florian J. Beranek – Lead Expert Responsible Business Development at UNIDO Vietnam presented at the conference
Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan – CEO of The Boston Global Forum in the United States, Director of the Michael Dukakis Institute for Leadership and Innovation (MDI), Co-Founder of AI World Society Innovation Network (AIWS.city) participated in online discussion
Mr. Nguyen Minh Quy, Chairman of Novaon Group delivered his speech at the conference
Prof. Jota Ishikawa, Hitotsubashi University, Japan participated in online discussion
