HaUI - A smart university embracing social responsibility through the “Popular Digital Education” movement

In the digital era and the path toward a smart society, Hanoi University of Industry (HaUI) is carrying forward a proud legacy of educational responsibility with the pioneering movement known as “Popular Digital Education.” This initiative aims to democratize access to digital knowledge and skills, ensuring no one is left behind in Vietnam’s national digital transformation journey.

As General Secretary To Lam stated: “This is not merely an educational initiative - the ‘Popular Digital Education’ movement serves as a bridge between the past and the future. It builds on historical lessons to foster a society that is not only rich in knowledge but also strong in technology, ready to integrate and thrive.”

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, at the launch event of the movement in March 2025, emphasized: “Vietnam stands at a historical juncture to enter a new era of robust growth, driven by science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. Our urgent and vital mission is to popularize digital literacy and skills across society - effectively eradicating ‘digital illiteracy.’”

This movement reflects the Party’s vision as outlined in Resolution No. 57 dated December 22, 2024, of the Politburo, which calls for breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, and aligns with directives on lifelong learning from General Secretary To Lam.

With a 127-year history and a development philosophy centered on “Comprehensive education for sustainable development and integration,” HaUI is evolving into a multi-disciplinary application-oriented smart university of international standards. It strives to be the top choice for learners, businesses, and the community.

Dr. Nguyen Van Thien, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Vice-Rector, and Deputy Head of HaUI’s Digital Transformation Steering Committee

According to Dr. Nguyen Van Thien, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Vice-Rector, and Deputy Head of HaUI’s Digital Transformation Steering Committee, the university has been nurturing high-quality, innovative human resources and transferring knowledge and technology to society in response to the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and national development.

Dr. Vu Viet Thang, Deputy Head of the Department of Academic Affairs

Dr. Vu Viet Thang, Deputy Head of the Department of Academic Affairs, emphasized that HaUI sees its mission of training high-quality human resources as a core pillar of the Popular Digital Education movement. With 62 undergraduate programs (including 10 taught in English), 5 programs accredited by ABET, 14 master’s programs, and 11 doctoral programs, HaUI is confident in its internal strengths to meet both domestic and international labor market needs. This capability is key to advancing science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation.

With a staff of 1,500 - comprising experienced and dedicated professors, associate professors, PhDs, and master’s degree holders - HaUI is proud of its robust human capital, ready to lead and apply digital technologies in education. The university’s academic community serves as the foundation for its commitment to building a prosperous, tech-enabled digital society.

One significant contribution to the Popular Digital Education movement is the university’s research and application of digital technology in education. The HaUI smart university system represents a cutting-edge solution for modern education, particularly addressing the needs of remote and underprivileged areas by bridging spatial and informational gaps.

Dr. Le Truong Giang, Deputy Director of the Center for Information Technology

Dr. Le Truong Giang, Deputy Director of the Center for Information Technology, noted that the smart university serves as the backbone of the school’s comprehensive digital transformation. According to Vietnam’s higher education digital transformation index (Decision No. 4740/QĐ-BGDĐT), over 97% of HaUI’s operations are now conducted digitally, supporting over 32,000 learners and thousands of faculty members.

HaUI has also actively contributed to the Popular Digital Education campaign by developing and sharing a rich repository of digital learning resources. Dr. Ngo Đuc Vinh, Director of the Center for Library and Information, shared that the university boasts a modern digital library system with over 36,501 book titles, 38 journals, nearly 23,948 digital documents, 55 open-access databases, and the financial database FiinProX. The library is also networked with national and regional academic libraries, enhancing access and knowledge sharing.

Dr. Ngo Đuc Vinh, Director of the Center for Library and Information

Library staff regularly provide technical assistance and guidance on how to effectively utilize these digital resources, helping expand the reach and impact of the Popular Digital Education initiative.

HaUI also demonstrates its social responsibility by organizing short-term, practical training programs to equip learners with essential digital skills for modern life. The university frequently hosts seminars and forums on online education and digital technologies, empowering stakeholders to understand and apply digital skills effectively in both study and work environments.

Recent events include the seminar “University Governance and Sustainable Development” (February 20, 2025) and the workshop “Mastering AI: Key Strategies for Research and Development in Management.” These initiatives foster deeper discussions and practical knowledge-sharing on digital transformation in higher education.

Spanning three centuries, HaUI’s journey connects its proud past as a technical training institution to its future as a leading application-oriented university in Vietnam. With full autonomy, a smart management approach, and regional influence, HaUI is embracing its social responsibility in the national Popular Digital Education movement. Through high-quality training and inclusive digital solutions, it contributes to national socio-economic development and the creation of a smart, equitable, and prosperous digital society.