Ahead of the Lunar New Year of the Snake 2025, a Nhan Dan newspaper reporter interviewed Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong, President of National Economics University (NEU), about the University’s digital transformation and information technology applications.

Reporter: Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong, could you introduce NEU’s strategy for digital transformation and information technology applications?

Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong, President of NEU

Digital transformation and the application of information technology (IT) are inevitable development trends at educational and training institutions. NEU’s development strategy through 2030 affirms its determination to pioneer digital transformation and establish a modern, smart, and professional governance system that meets international standards. As early as the mid-2000s, the University began operating academic management software. By 2016, it had developed an integrated software system enabling centralized administration of activities ranging from academic management and scientific research to human resources and financial management. The IT system, including both hardware and software, has consistently received investment and has been refined, improved, and updated each year to meet development needs effectively.

As it develops under a new model, NEU continues to invest in and expand IT applications in teaching, research, learning, and university governance, working toward a smart university model. Digitization has been strengthened across all areas of activity, from admissions, enrollment, and online course registration to teaching assignments and classroom management. NEU has taken initial steps to develop and apply big data and artificial intelligence technologies to effectively support management, education, and scientific research. Online databases from leading publishers worldwide and in Vietnam have been selected, processed, and compiled into materials for individual courses, providing the most convenient access possible for students. IT and digital transformation have laid the foundation for substantial innovation in educational methods based on a learner-centered approach. NEU is currently working toward conducting 100% of examinations on computers, including essay examinations. The lecture – seminar teaching method, combined with blended learning, is being introduced gradually to achieve breakthroughs in quality and effectiveness.

Following many years of preparation, and with a team of young and talented scientists, NEU established the College of Technology in 2024 and developed five new majors: Data Science; Artificial Intelligence; Information Security; Information Systems; and Software Engineering. It also made a foundational data science course compulsory in the academic programs of all majors in economics, management, and business administration.

Reporter: Professor, what digital transformation and IT application activities took place in 2024?

In 2024, NEU completed its project to invest in IT equipment for digital transformation and develop online courses for undergraduate education. Under the project “Implementing IT Applications and Digital Transformation in Teaching and Learning at Higher Education Institutions,” NEU received funding and put into operation 41 smart classrooms and one studio, and developed 10 sets of electronic learning materials for 10 courses shared across economics and business administration disciplines. NEU continues to expand its digital learning resources and roll them out for 2025, working toward a nationwide shared repository of digital learning materials.

The University has invested in refining its integrated management system to meet requirements for interoperability with national databases, integration of online services, and connectivity with the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET)’s Higher Education Management Information System (HEMIS), gradually moving toward a smart university. Investment has continued in databases, learning resources, and the learning management system (LMS). In 2024, NEU added 20 new textbooks to NEU Reader, bringing the total number of textbooks in its online repository to nearly 400 and supporting 150,000 book downloads. It rolled out 10 online courses under MOET’s Project 03 for nearly 1,000 students to try. It also continued connecting its integrated software system with the LMS, synchronizing 12,500 course sections. The software system for handling administrative procedures through online public services and the University’s one-stop and interagency one-stop service unit continues to be refined and updated to meet the needs of NEU learners, public employees, and other employees as fully as possible.

In 2024, NEU’s web portal received more than 11,500,000 visits, while its internal information site received 60,000 visits. Maintenance of computer systems and transmission infrastructure was conducted throughout the University, with 1,100 computers inspected and maintained. The University installed and piloted anti-malware and DDoS attack prevention solutions for 60 servers. NEU conducted information security testing and assessments for 12 websites and expanded protection against malware attacks and antivirus software coverage throughout the University.

The year 2024 also saw the development and refinement of five new software applications supporting management and education, including quality assurance, health records management, international cooperation management, new reading software for learners, chatbotAI, and the cyberwork system. The cyberwork software and work management software integrated with digital signatures began to be put into use in 2024, marking a highlight in NEU’s IT application activities.

Reporter: Professor, could you outline some directions for the University’s digital transformation and IT applications in 2025?

In 2025, NEU will continue its transition into a digital, smart, green, and paperless university. To achieve these goals, alongside implementing the Cyberwork work management system throughout the University, refining the integrated software system, and other activities, the University will focus on the following key tasks:

The first is to expand digital learning resources. In 2024, NEU reached agreements in principle with publishers to introduce just over 400 English-language textbooks from leading publishers worldwide in 2025 in ebook format. This will allow students and lecturers to have their own electronic copies, which they can annotate, comment on, and otherwise use according to their needs. NEU will work toward providing at least one English-language textbook for each course. The digital learning resources implementation plan, comprising nine components (course syllabi, Vietnamese/English electronic textbooks, reference materials, lecture slides, lecture videos, audio lectures, audio reference books, and case studies), will be piloted for foundational courses before being expanded to all other courses. In 2025, the University will also move forward with establishing a university-wide Data Center to find, compile, and analyze data sources for research and consulting needs.

Substantial investment in smart classrooms is a priority for NEU. Approximately 200 smart classrooms are expected to be in use by the end of 2025. Alongside lecture hall spaces that allow students to study online or download lecture videos, seminar rooms will feature flexible layouts for small-group discussions, with smart screens and software offering flexible connectivity and processing capabilities. These classrooms will also be ready to serve as smart examination rooms, using AI-enabled tools to ensure integrity while providing the greatest possible convenience.

Strengthening connectivity is another priority for NEU. First is connectivity among the software applications within the University’s IT system to ensure efficient and unified operations. Newly developed applications will be integrated with the integrated software system. The University will also build a portal connecting to data from the General Statistics Office and other partners to meet the scientific research and educational needs of lecturers and learners. The entire Wi-Fi system in classroom areas will be upgraded to the Wi-Fi 6 standard, and internet bandwidth will be increased and optimized to better meet learners’ growing needs. Certainly, 2025 will mark another step forward in NEU’s development journey.

Thank you, Professor.

Source: Nhan Dan newspaper

This is an automated translation. If you notice any errors, please contact the Department of Communications, National Economics University at phongtruyenthong@neu.edu.vn.