FPT expert shares insights on developing digital competencies for education in the AI era

On May 21, a conference jointly organized by Hanoi College of Commerce and Tourism, the Institute for South Asian, West Asian and African Studies, and the National Startup Association attracted the participation of numerous experts, policymakers, and technology business representatives. At the event, an FPT expert joined a panel discussion to share practical perspectives on digital competency development and AI applications in education, alongside an exhibition showcasing a comprehensive ecosystem of technology solutions, reaffirming the role of technology in advancing modern education models for the digital era.

The event took place against the backdrop of rapid global transformation driven by artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation, and emerging technologies. In this context, developing digital competencies is no longer merely a requirement for educational institutions but has become a critical foundation for enhancing workforce quality, fostering innovation, and strengthening national competitiveness.

The conference welcomed the Ambassadors of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Türkiye to Vietnam, along with more than 250 participants representing government agencies, research institutes, universities, technology enterprises, and international organizations.

In his opening remarks, Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Huu Hanh, Deputy Director General of the National Digital Transformation Agency under the Ministry of Science and Technology, emphasized that digital transformation in education is not simply about introducing technology into classrooms but rather a comprehensive transformation aimed at improving educational quality, developing learner capabilities, and promoting lifelong learning.

Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Huu Hanh, Deputy Director General of the National Digital Transformation Agency under the Ministry of Science and Technology, delivered remarks at the conference. Source: Science and Technology Magazine

According to Dr. Hanh, building digital competencies among students and educators should be considered a strategic mission closely aligned with national development objectives in the digital age. He noted that the conference theme, “Digital Competencies,” is particularly relevant, as the concept extends beyond technological proficiency to include data literacy, critical thinking, digital ethics, and social responsibility.

He also highlighted that the Vietnamese Government has introduced various policies and initiatives to promote digital transformation and innovation, including Resolution No. 52/NQ-CP and several important draft laws related to digital transformation, data, and artificial intelligence. These efforts aim to expand access to online public services, narrow the digital divide, and build a comprehensive digital society, much like the nationwide literacy campaigns of previous generations.

The conference featured a range of in-depth presentations from education experts, technology companies, and policymakers on digital competency development, AI applications in education, educational digital transformation, and strategies for building a future-ready workforce.

During the open discussion session, Ms. Ha Thi Hanh from FPT Corporation shared practical insights drawn from FPT’s experience supporting educational institutions and businesses in their digital transformation journeys. According to her, today’s graduates commonly lack three critical competencies: adaptability in the face of rapid change, practical experience, and the ability to effectively leverage data and AI in a responsible and ethical manner.

She noted that the world today is characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA/TUNA), where change is rapid, unpredictable, and constant. As a result, adaptability has become an essential skill not only for students but also for professionals across industries.

Drawing on practical experience, FPT has integrated AI into learning, assessment, and evaluation platforms to support flipped classroom models while personalizing learning experiences. The goal is to cultivate adaptability and continuous learning capabilities among students. One example is VioEdu, where AI technology analyzes learning behaviors, identifies strengths and weaknesses, and recommends personalized learning content accordingly.

According to Ms. Hanh, the technology landscape is rapidly evolving from generative AI toward AI Agents—intelligent systems capable of collaborating as “digital colleagues” to assist with curriculum development, knowledge assessment, and learning progress monitoring. This shift underscores the need for educational institutions to quickly incorporate emerging AI knowledge into their curricula to better prepare students for future workplaces.

For tourism and commerce-related disciplines, Ms. Hanh highlighted the transformative potential of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies. Through immersive virtual simulations, students can experience destinations such as Hoi An, Phu Quoc, or Ho Chi Minh City, enhancing practical skills, interaction capabilities, and professional passion while still in school.

She also emphasized the growing importance of data across all industries. In the digital era, professionals in commerce and business must possess not only traditional sales skills but also a strong understanding of data, including the ability to leverage Big Data platforms to identify customer needs and optimize business operations.

“We look forward to partnering with educational institutions to integrate AI platforms such as AI Au Lac into teaching and learning, enabling students to become familiar with digital work environments, develop data-driven thinking, and build AI application capabilities from an early stage,” Ms. Ha Thi Hanh shared.

Addressing questions about digital transformation roadmaps for small and medium-sized educational institutions, Ms. Hanh emphasized that organizations should begin with a clear strategy and well-defined objectives rather than adopting technology simply to follow trends.

She suggested that institutions could prioritize cloud infrastructure services provided by domestic technology companies to optimize costs, ensure data security, and reduce operational burdens. Schools could also gradually implement digital university solutions, ranging from academic administration and student management systems to AI-powered learning platforms, based on their specific needs and available resources.

“Digital transformation is no longer an option—it has become an inevitable requirement. When educational leaders fully understand the benefits of technology and engage both faculty and students in the process, digital transformation can truly help institutions cultivate high-quality talent for society,” Ms. Ha Thi Hanh emphasized.

Alongside the conference, FPT organized the exhibition “Co-create the Next in Education with AI,” featuring AI-powered solutions designed to address key challenges in education and support the development of digital university models.

The assessment and learning experience solutions showcased included Khaothi.Online, a comprehensive testing and evaluation platform integrated with automated check-in kiosks for fast and accurate candidate identity verification. AkaVerse, together with AR/VR demonstration zones, introduced immersive learning experiences and simulated practical training environments for tourism and other application-oriented disciplines.

In parallel, the digital administration solutions portfolio featured KytaPlatform and EagleEye, which address educational management, monitoring, and security requirements within digital university environments. Intelligent recruitment platforms were also showcased, helping connect students with employers and creating a seamless ecosystem from education to employment outcomes.