UEH News

A Series of Activities Toward the 15th Congress of the Party Committee of University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, Term 2025–203

UEH’s Community Engagement Strategy 2011–2025: From Spreading Knowledge to Sustainable Action

The Community Engagement Strategy for the period 2011–2025 stands as a vivid testament to the resilience and long-term vision of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) – a pioneering university for the community, where knowledge is intrinsically linked to responsibility. This period marks a memorable chapter in UEH’s journey: from accompanying and disseminating knowledge to taking sustainable action for society.

In anticipation of the 15th UEH Party Congress, UEH has been undertaking a comprehensive review of its development journey during 2011–2025 – a milestone that distinctly reflects breakthrough thinking in UEH’s development orientation, anchored on five strategic pillars: Training, Research, Governance, Operations, and Community. This is not only an opportunity to summarize achievements and lessons learned after 15 years of dynamic transformation, but also a chance to reaffirm the strategic vision steadfastly pursued and the long-term preparation for the next phase of development.

1. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT – SPREADING KNOWLEDGE (2011–2020)

2. COMMUNITY LEADING SUSTAINABLE CHANGE AND INSPIRING ART (2021–2025)

3. COMMUNITY FOR SUSTAINABLE ACTION (2025–2030)

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT – SPREADING KNOWLEDGE (2011–2020)

The 2011–2020 period opened a chapter of resilient and sustainable development in UEH’s community engagement strategy. With a clear vision and action orientation, UEH proactively expanded international partnerships through multilateralization and diversification, driving deep internationalization across education, research, and university governance. During this period, UEH established cooperative relationships with 98 renowned international organizations, while empowering its affiliated units, thereby creating a broad, flexible, and effective academic network.

Concurrently, UEH continuously strengthened strategic partnerships with the business community through actions such as inviting business experts to teach, organizing corporate semester programs for students, accepting research commissions, and providing workforce training tailored to real-world needs. Numerous community-oriented activities, scholarships for learners, and community development projects were also implemented, demonstrating a profound sense of social responsibility.

Notably, the establishment and development of the UEH Alumni network has created a dynamic, cohesive community of former students with strong influence. This is not only a space for connecting generations of UEHers, but also a vital resource accompanying the university in its mission to serve knowledge and shape a sustainable future.

The year 2020 also marked a significant start for the program “Connect the Community – Spreading Knowledge – Sustainable Action” at UEH, ushering in a new phase of deep community connection and robust dissemination of knowledge values aimed at sustainable development. This solid foundation serves as a springboard for the next phase of strong community engagement.

COMMUNITY LEADING SUSTAINABLE CHANGE AND INSPIRING ART (2021–2025)

From 2021–2025, UEH’s community engagement strategy was redefined with a breakthrough vision: building a pioneering community – not merely a network, but a source of inspiration and a driving force for sustainable change and artistic inspiration.

Right from 2021, UEH initiated a series of meaningful projects and programs, among which the podcast series “Research Contribution for All” stood out as a beacon of knowledge, bringing multidisciplinary, cross-sectoral research to the academic community, alumni, and businesses.

The “UEH Global” project – a free online learning platform for high school students – has expanded access to quality education, contributing to equity and sustainable development in education. Additionally, UEH has regularly conducted digital skills training and e-learning design workshops for thousands of teachers in the Mekong Delta, demonstrating its commitment to enhancing local education quality and bridging the digital divide.

Through the “UEH Zero Waste Campus” project, UEH has actively promoted environmental awareness and action among its entire student, faculty, and staff community, helping to foster a sustainable and responsible lifestyle toward the ecosystem.

The establishment of key research institutes aligned with sustainable development, such as the Sustainable Finance Institute and the Institute of Public Policy and Regional Development, has created application-oriented research centers with strategic influence on national development policies.

Particularly in this phase, the “Connect the Community – Spreading Knowledge – Sustainable Action” program was officially productized with clear objectives, actions, and cooperation commitments – becoming a highlight in building sustainable partnerships.

During 2023–2025, UEH affirmed its pioneering role in connecting knowledge with the community by expanding training and research in public management and public policy across various localities such as Binh Dinh, Khanh Hoa, the Central Highlands, and Southern Vietnam. Thousands of short-term training courses have been implemented to enhance the capacity of officials, leaders, and human resources in nearly 30 provinces and cities, making a practical contribution to local sustainable development.

The spirit of accompanying the community is also reflected in fostering local innovation: hundreds of startup teams have been incubated, and the Mekong Delta Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MCIE) was established, contributing to the formation of a locally rooted startup ecosystem serving regional development.

At the same time, an extensive international cooperation network with hundreds of global partners has opened opportunities for academic exchange, research, and knowledge transfer for students and faculty through initiatives such as UEH International Day, the USAID project with Portland State University, and the International Innovators Award (IIA).

Notably, the expansion of the Vinh Long Campus (UEH Mekong) and government approval of the Khanh Hoa Campus (UEH Nha Trang) demonstrate UEH’s commitment to accompanying and supporting the socioeconomic development of the South Central, Central Highlands, Southwest, and Southeast regions.

Through practical and persistent actions during 2021–2025, UEH has gradually built a community that leads sustainable change and inspires art. From multidisciplinary knowledge to social projects, from the small steps of students to the synergy of businesses and scientists, UEH is writing the story of a university that relentlessly innovates and leads change – toward a prosperous and sustainable future for Vietnam and the world.

COMMUNITY FOR SUSTAINABLE ACTION (2025–2030)

Building on the solid foundation established, with an increasingly interconnected academic–community–business ecosystem, moving into the 2025–2030 period, UEH’s community engagement strategy aims to foster a community for sustainable action, where all knowledge resources are mobilized, connected, and disseminated to collectively address the developmental challenges of our era.

The 2025–2030 period will mark a crucial transformation, positioning UEH not only as a university for education and research, but also as a hub connecting interdisciplinary, interregional, and intergenerational strengths to act together for a sustainable Vietnam.