On the morning of September 11, the School of Business, National Economics University organized the National Conference on “Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Education in Business to Meet Societal Needs,” aiming to create a platform for exchange among the university, scientists, managers, and businesses on how education can keep pace with practical changes while better preparing learners for the new demands of the labor market.

Overview of the Conference

Attending the Conference, external representatives included: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Danh Nguyen – Rector of the School of Economics, Hanoi University of Science and Technology; Dr. Dinh Mong Kha – Vice President of Napoli Coffee, Advisor to the Board of Directors of GiftZone, Member of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Marketing Association (VMA).

From the National Economics University, attendees included: Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu – Vice President of the University; Prof. Dr. Ta Van Loi – Dean of the School of Business; along with representatives from the leadership of various Schools, Departments, Faculties, Institutes, Centers, and affiliated units of the University; scientists, experts, and faculty members of the University.

Addressing Practical Challenges of Businesses and Society

The business world is changing at an unprecedented pace. Digital technology, artificial intelligence, big data, institutional changes, and rapid market shifts are creating increasingly complex issues that a single specialized field cannot fully address.

This raises the question for higher education: how should we train human resources so that learners are not only “proficient in one specialty” but also capable of connecting knowledge, collaborating with individuals from other fields, and solving practical challenges of businesses and society?

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu – Vice President of National Economics University speaks

Regarding changes to businesses and human resources, speaking at the Conference, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu – Vice President of the National Economics University stated: “The rapid development of artificial intelligence, digital transformation, data, green transition, and international integration is significantly altering the operational methods of businesses as well as the requirements for human resources. The issues that businesses must address today are increasingly complex, requiring the integration of multiple fields: from management, finance, and marketing to technology, data, law, and sustainable development.”

In this context, learners not only need a solid professional foundation but also the ability to connect knowledge, think systematically, collaborate with other fields, and adapt to the rapid changes in the professional environment.

The theme of the Conference is also aligned with the important development orientations of the country today, including the spirit of Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW on private economic development, as well as orientations on training and fostering executive teams, digital transformation, green transition, innovation, risk management, and supporting Vietnamese businesses to reach international markets.”

According to Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, the above issues pose a requirement for higher education institutions to continue innovating their approach to curriculum development and organization of training.

To meet this requirement, interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary training should not be simply understood as adding knowledge from another field or combining existing courses into a single program. More importantly, it is necessary to identify the competencies that learners need, thereby reorganizing the content, methods, and learning environment so that learners can comprehensively mobilize knowledge to solve practical problems.

At the Conference, the delegates focused on more specific questions about the competencies that need to be developed, how to design programs, organizational mechanisms, and practical implementation methods.

Accordingly, it is necessary to more clearly identify the sets of competencies that the labor market truly needs and to translate those requirements into the learning outcomes of the academic programs.

At the same time, it is important to clarify the boundary between expanding knowledge across multiple fields and creating genuine interdisciplinary integration; from there, determine the appropriate level and method of integration for each training model.

Appropriate governance mechanisms for interdisciplinary training also need to be researched, from coordination between units, utilizing faculty members, credit recognition to ensuring quality and organizing resources.

A comprehensive innovation in teaching and learning methods is needed, increasing the substantial participation of businesses and external partners to form interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary competencies through solving real-world problems.

Prof. Dr. Ta Van Loi – Dean of the School of Business, National Economics University speaks

At the Conference, Prof. Dr. Ta Van Loi – Dean of the School of Business, National Economics University noted that digital transformation, artificial intelligence, innovation, green transition, and international integration are causing business issues to increasingly transcend the scope of a single specialized field.

A current business decision may simultaneously require knowledge in management, technology, data, finance, law, markets, and sustainable development.

Alongside this, major policies on developing the private economic sector, enhancing corporate governance capabilities, and supporting Vietnamese enterprises in reaching international markets also pose new demands on human resource training.

Notably, Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW on private economic development and Decision 525/QD-TTg by the Prime Minister approving the training program for 10,000 executives by 2030 highlight the increasingly clear requirements for a workforce with modern management capabilities, digital transformation, innovation, risk management, and international integration.

In this context, interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary training raises the question: how can we ensure the depth of expertise for learners while also developing the ability to integrate knowledge and solve complex real-world problems?

Prof. Dr. Ta Van Loi stated that the conference gathered 55 papers, with contributions from author groups from various universities, research institutes, and other agencies nationwide. The works demonstrate that the topic of interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary training is no longer viewed as an issue specific to a single academic field or educational institution but has become a concern of a broad academic community.

The presentations focused on three main issues, specifically:

Firstly, on the context, trends, needs, and experiences in interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary training. The studies address trends in STEM/STREAM education, interdisciplinary training linked to business practices, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence, the competency needs of the workforce, and the gap between labor market demands and academic programs. Many papers provide international experiences on the development of interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary training and flexible training models.

Secondly, on the development of programs, models, and management of interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary training. The proposals focus on interdisciplinary business programs, integrating Business – Digital – AI, combining business with law and technology, dual-degree programs, minors, master’s level training, as well as integrating AI, data, ESG, and digital transformation into the curriculum. The studies thus raise issues regarding training methods, program organization, and integration management.

Thirdly, on innovating methods, applying technology, and developing learners’ capabilities. The studies discuss simulation training, design thinking, personalized learning pathways, the application of artificial intelligence, digital competency development, project-based learning, and cooperation between educational institutions, research institutes, and enterprises.

The scale of training must be accompanied by substantial interdisciplinary integration

From a practical perspective at the National Economics University, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Van Tuan – Vice Dean of the School of Business, stated that the School of Business currently oversees 48 out of the total 107 academic programs at NEU, equivalent to 44.9%. This proportion indicates a significant scale and provides a foundation to enhance knowledge connectivity among disciplines within the business sector.

In 2026, among the 15 new disciplines/programs at the National Economics University, the School of Business will offer 4 programs including Marketing Technology, International Economics, Creative Industry Management, and International Human Resource Management.

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Van Tuan, this development reflects notable shifts such as the integration of technology and data, the enhancement of international elements, and the expansion of core disciplines into new application fields.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Van Tuan – Vice Dean of the School of Business, National Economics University presented a paper at the Conference

From this practical standpoint, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Van Tuan proposes the development of flexible learning pathways based on existing programs through shared modules, integrated projects, minors, second majors, or suitable supplementary components. This approach not only broadens interdisciplinary space but also maintains a core professional foundation and enhances the ability to personalize learning pathways according to career orientation.

In addition to program design, governance mechanisms are also crucial. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Van Tuan emphasizes the necessity of coordination mechanisms at the University level to connect specialized units, review learning outcomes, coordinate faculty, recognize credits, and monitor implementation results. The goal is to equip learners with both in-depth expertise and the ability to integrate knowledge, adapt to digital transformation, artificial intelligence, sustainable development, and the international business environment.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Danh Nguyen – Dean of the School of Economics, Hanoi University of Science and Technology presented a paper at the Conference

Delegates attending the Conference

At the Conference, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Danh Nguyen – Dean of the School of Economics, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, shared on the topic “Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Education: Experiences from the School of Economics, Hanoi University of Science and Technology.” From a business perspective, Dr. Dinh Mong Kha – Vice President of Napoli Coffee, Advisor to the Board of Directors of GiftZone, Member of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Marketing Association (VMA), presented on the topic “User Behavior in the AI Era: Master Layer – A New Interaction Layer between Users and Applications, Software.”

The presentations contribute to providing a multi-dimensional perspective from academia and business, further clarifying the need for innovation in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary education oriented towards practical application, technology, and labor market demands.

Some images from the Conference:

Article and photos: Communications Department