SAP Vietnam Academic Community Conference 2026: Advancing Multilateral Cooperation to Develop Digital Talent in the AI Era

17 Oct, 2026

Attending the Opening Ceremony was Mr. Tran Trong Tuyen, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology.

Representing UEH were Assoc. Prof. Bui Quang Hung, President of UEH; Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Phong Nguyen, Rector of the UEH College of Business; Dr. Tran Anh Hoa and Assoc. Prof. Tran Thi Hai Ly, Vice Rectors of the UEH College of Business; Dr. Thai Kim Phung, Interim Head of the Department of Communications and Partnerships; and Dr. Nguyen Tan Trung, Chief of Office of the UEH College of Business. They were joined by the UEH SAP implementation team, comprising Dr. Nguyen Hoang Le, Director of the Institute for Human Resources and Business Development; Assoc. Prof. Phan Chung Thuy, Vice Dean of the School of Banking; Dr. Diep Quoc Bao, Vice Dean of the School of Management; Dr. Phan Thi Bao Quyen, Vice Dean of the School of Accounting; and Dr. Nguyen Huu Binh, Head of the Enterprise Resource Planning Simulation course team.

Representing SAP were Mr. Nguyen Hong Viet, Managing Director of SAP Vietnam; Mr. Manik Saha, Managing Director of SAP Labs East Asia; Mr. Crispian Tan, Regional University Alliances Program Director for Asia Pacific at SAP; Ms. Nguyen Thi Quynh Trang, SAP Learning Operations Manager and Vietnam University Alliances Program Director; Mr. Pham Huu Kien, Strategy and Operations Manager at SAP Labs East Asia Vietnam; and Ms. Bac Tran Ngoc Tam, Human Resources and Culture Director of SAP Vietnam.

Corporate partners were represented by Ernst & Young Vietnam Co., Ltd., Bosch Global Software Technologies Vietnam, Deloitte Southeast Asia, ABeam Consulting Vietnam, Citek Technology Company, ATS Vietnam Consulting Co., Ltd., NGI Group, and CMC Technology & Solution. The event also welcomed faculty members and students from 32 higher education institutions across Vietnam.

Delegates, lecturers, and students pose for a commemorative photo at the Opening Ceremony of the SAP Academic Community Conference Vietnam 2026

Businesses Transform with AI, Universities Innovate Education and Training

AI, data, and digital platforms are driving businesses toward the Autonomous Enterprise model, in which operations are increasingly automated, creating new demands for future workforce capabilities. In this context, UEH is strengthening its role as a bridge between policy, technology, knowledge, and the labor market, translating practical needs into innovation in education and research. The SAP Academic Community Conference Vietnam 2026 is a concrete initiative to promote the tripartite cooperation model among the State, universities, and businesses, connecting policy directions, technology trends, and workforce needs with the realities of higher education.

Opening the program, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung, President of UEH, emphasized the proactive role of higher education in identifying the economy's competency needs and strengthening connections among stakeholders. He shared: “In the AI era, the question for universities is no longer simply what we can teach, but what capabilities the economy and society will need over the next 5–10 years. This requires the State, universities, and businesses to move beyond pursuing three separate paths. Universities must become places that connect policy, knowledge, technology, and practice to jointly develop the workforce of the future.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung, President of UEH, shares the University's direction for developing a digital workforce equipped to adapt to the AI era

Following the university's perspective, Mr. Tran Trong Tuyen, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology, presented the government management perspective on directions for developing science, technology, and digital human resources amid the increasingly extensive digital transformation and application of AI.

Mr. Tran Trong Tuyen, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology, presents the government management perspective on digital transformation

Connecting the State, Universities, and Businesses to Develop Digital Human Resources in the AI Era

With discussions on digital workforce development strategies, AI-driven business transformation trends, and talent development in higher education, the opening session offered perspectives on Ho Chi Minh City's digital technology workforce development strategy, AI-driven business transformation, and directions for developing digital talent in higher education.

Building on the directions shared, the panel discussion titled “Connecting the State, Universities, and Businesses: Developing Digital and AI Talent in the Era of Autonomous Enterprises” brought together senior representatives from UEH, SAP Vietnam, and Bosch. The discussion focused on how stakeholders can coordinate to align education with practical needs, promote technology adoption, and develop a workforce capable of adapting to changes in business operations, particularly in the era of autonomous AI-powered enterprises.

A high-level panel featuring representatives from UEH, SAP, Bosch, and corporate partners in the SAP ecosystem discusses digital workforce development

Under this approach, collaboration goes beyond memoranda of understanding toward establishing a continuous cycle of “practical needs – education and training – application – feedback – updates.” This helps narrow the gap between the pace of technological change and the pace of educational innovation.

As part of the Conference, UEH signed a cooperation agreement with SAP and memoranda of understanding with three businesses: ABEAM, ATS, and NGIG. These agreements aim to expand business participation in learner development through practical training, business experts, internships, scholarships, projects, and career opportunities.

Signing ceremony for cooperation agreements between UEH, SAP Vietnam, and partners in the SAP ecosystem

Bringing Enterprise Technology into the Classroom

Over October 13–14, 2026, the Train-the-Trainer program, delivered by SAP experts together with domestic and international lecturers, covered topics including SAP S/4HANA, ERPsim, SAP Business AI, SAP Sustainability and Analytics Cloud, SAP Learning Hub, SAP SuccessFactors, and business digital transformation with SAP. The program enabled lecturers to update their knowledge of technologies, teaching methods, and tools applicable to education and research.

Lecturers from various universities participate in the Train-the-Trainer program

At UEH, this direction is being put into practice through a plan to integrate the Enterprise Resource Planning Simulation course into all business training programs, using ERPsim on the SAP S/4HANA platform. Students will experience managing simulated businesses, analyzing data, and making decisions related to purchasing, production, sales, and finance. Through these activities, they will develop systems thinking, technological competencies, and decision-making skills in digital environments.

Expanding Learning Experiences and Career Connections for Students

Alongside the program for lecturers, the Conference organized activities connecting students with businesses, helping learners gain exposure to workplace environments and workforce requirements in the context of digital transformation. On October 13, networking sessions with Bosch and EY offered practical insights into career trends and essential competencies. Activities at UEH Campus B introduced SAP Business Builders, SAP Analytics Cloud, and SAP Learning Hub, Student Edition, giving students opportunities to experience digital platforms and explore data analytics tools.

Scenes from the networking sessions with Bosch and EY

In particular, the panel discussion “Career Readiness in the Enterprise AI Era”, featuring representatives from SAP, Bosch, Citek, and TDI APJ, provided a forum for exchanging insights on career trends, skills, and the practical application of technology. The discussion helped students better identify pathways for developing their personal competencies while expanding opportunities to connect with businesses in the SAP ecosystem.

The panel discussion “Career Readiness in the Enterprise AI Era” features insights from representatives of SAP, Bosch, Citek, and TDI APJ

Combining hands-on technology experiences, business insights, and career guidance helps students better understand the relationship between specialized knowledge, digital competencies, and labor market requirements. It also provides businesses with opportunities to strengthen connections with young talent, contributing to a sustainable collaboration ecosystem between universities and the labor market.

Continuing Educational Innovation and Co-Creating Future Value

As UEH approaches its 50th anniversary, its collaboration with SAP in organizing the Conference has helped promote innovation and strengthen connections between universities and businesses. The connections established through the Conference provide a foundation for stakeholders to continue exchanging knowledge, developing education and research activities, and applying technology to address practical challenges facing businesses and society.

With the message “Connecting Knowledge – Shaping the Future,” the SAP Academic Community Conference Vietnam 2026 helps promote lifelong learning, innovative teaching methods, and the co-creation of practical value for the academic community, learners, and businesses in the AI era.

News, photos: UEH College of Business, Department of Communications and Partnerships