Businesses and training institutions must work in tandem

In the context of Vietnam pursuing double-digit economic growth, high-quality human resources are no longer merely a foundational factor but have become a key catalyst driving economic expansion. This requirement is no longer a long-term orientation; it has become an urgent demand, requiring strong shifts in education, training, and skills development to keep pace with rapid economic transformation.

Speaking to the Newspaper of Industry and Trade, Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Ngoc Tien, Vice Rector of Foreign Trade University, said that achieving double-digit growth requires synchronized participation from the entire society, including both enterprises and educational institutions.

“Businesses need to regard technology and data as core resources, rather than relying on traditional advantages such as cheap labor. Meanwhile, training institutions must innovate teaching models toward flexibility, closer alignment with practical needs, and greater emphasis on digital skills and innovation,” Dao Ngoc Tien said.

He emphasized that close cooperation between universities and enterprises throughout the entire training process from curriculum design and implementation to outcome evaluation is essential. This collaboration should also be expanded into research and innovation activities.

According to Dao Ngoc Tien, the model of “universities within enterprises and enterprises within universities” is considered an effective direction, helping to narrow the gap between theory and practice while improving the quality of human resources.

In terms of training, Foreign Trade University has been implementing a Career Development Integrated Model (CDIM), aimed at equipping learners with comprehensive competencies in professional expertise, innovation, practical skills, and digital technology application, meeting the demands of the global labor market.

The CDIM model places learners at the center of the university’s educational ecosystem, aiming to develop holistic competencies through a solid foundation of professional knowledge, the development of individual potential in digital technology, innovation, and career development.

Higher education must become a driver of productivity growth

Professor Rick Bennett, Vice Chancellor and Vice President of British University Vietnam (BUV), said: “Higher education needs to shift from its role as a ‘provider of labor’ to becoming a driver of productivity. This is particularly significant as Vietnam targets double-digit growth while also seeking to improve the quality of growth.”

He noted that growth models based on cheap labor and resource extraction are gradually reaching their limits. To achieve a breakthrough in productivity, the economy must transition toward knowledge-based development, innovation, and intangible assets. This places significant responsibility on the higher education system.

According to Rick Bennett, high-quality human resources are a key lever enabling Vietnam to realize its double-digit growth ambition, as they directly determine productivity, growth quality, and economic competitiveness. As traditional growth drivers such as cheap labor and natural resource exploitation decline in effectiveness, a workforce equipped with strong skills, qualifications, and innovative capacity will become the foundation of sustainable value creation.

Universities, therefore, must not only train human resources for immediate labor market needs but also prepare for the long-term future of the economy. Learners need to be equipped with critical thinking, adaptability, and interdisciplinary capabilities to operate in rapidly changing environments.

From an implementation perspective, British University Vietnam applies multi-layered quality assurance models that combine both domestic and international standards, ensuring transparency and strengthening confidence in training outcomes. In the context of global integration, this is a crucial factor enabling Vietnamese human resources to compete in the international labor market.

In addition to professional knowledge, soft skills such as adaptability, creative thinking, leadership capacity, and self-awareness are becoming increasingly important. These are the factors that enable workers not only to “do the job” but also to grow and lead in the future.

Notably, digital technology and artificial intelligence are rapidly reshaping the structure of employment. Therefore, integrating technology into training is no longer optional but a mandatory requirement in preparing future human resources.

BUV is also strengthening close cooperation with thousands of domestic and international enterprises to ensure training programs are closely aligned with labor market needs. Through collaborations such as curriculum development, internships, real-world projects, and career orientation activities, students are not only equipped with academic knowledge but also gain early exposure to professional working environments while still in university.

It is evident that high-quality human resources are not only a foundation but also a decisive catalyst for Vietnam to achieve its double-digit growth target. Strategic investment in education and skills development will be the key to fast and sustainable growth.