Human Resource Development: Key Driver of National Growth

Vietnam has earned commendation in the regional context across various educational metrics, notably achieving a top-ranking status in ASEAN with a 92.08% attendance and completion rate for the primary school program within five years.

 
The government's plan focuses on cultivating a high-quality workforce and strengthening national resilience

The convergence of digital, biological, and physical elements in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4.0) has profound implications not only for human physical and mental well-being, influenced by advancements in genetic technology and stem cells, but also for the development of human skills and ethics in fostering connections with partners.

Recognizing this, there exists significant potential for the augmentation of human qualities and skills, thereby contributing to the nation's renewed vitality and strength.

A nation's identity and sustained development hinge prominently upon the strength and excellence of its education and training sector. Educational reforms aimed at instilling essential qualities and skills, creating a high-caliber workforce capable of navigating the challenges of the evolving technological landscape, are pivotal in this era.

Vietnam's educational prowess is underscored by its impressive statistics, with a 92.08% attendance and completion rate for the primary school program within five years, securing its leading position in ASEAN. The Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM) 2019, a regional learning assessment and capacity-building program, further attests to the high quality of Vietnam's primary education.

The government's plans for the period 2021-2030 outline the development of a network of higher education and pedagogical institutions. This initiative, coupled with the educational development strategy for the 2021-2030 period, is geared toward cultivating a high-quality workforce and fortifying national strength in alignment with Vision 2050.

Crucially, economic models such as the app economy, bot economy, and, notably, the platform economy demand careful consideration. The digital twin platform, a key product in the platform economy, has significantly transformed business paradigms, particularly in education and training.

Technological advancements, including the internet of things, sensors, and automation, have given rise to differentiated services such as large-scale open online courses, virtual classrooms, virtual libraries, virtual laboratories, and virtual educators. Education 4.0 propels the competition among educational institutions to continually upgrade and adapt.

To remain competitive, educational institutions are now focusing on equipping students with real-world knowledge in an environment where cyber-physical systems permeate various industries.

Historically proven, nurturing talents is integral to a country's prosperity and sustainable development. In the technology era, talents represent an elite intellectual force capable of innovating, creating, and shaping a vision that determines socioeconomic development trends.

Beyond elite intellectual forces, cultivating human resources with business administration skills for innovation creation, commercialization, and efficient investment is paramount. The journey of innovations, historically, involves a rigorous process before attaining societal value.

Effective education should not only produce individuals with esteemed reputations, degrees, and status but also individuals capable of creating products and services with tangible values that benefit the community.

To instill a robust national spirit in the new era of development, it is imperative to launch education and training policies effectively, beginning with comprehensive reforms in quality and teaching methods. Education 4.0 shifts the primary learning responsibility from teachers to students, fostering a culture of innovation and creativity.

In the long term, investments and upgrades in the education system, particularly in equipping students with core problem-solving, collaboration, and adaptability skills, are crucial. Adequate planning and development of infrastructure and physical conditions are also essential, serving as a tangible source of motivation for educators.

However, the limitations in infrastructure capacity and physical conditions due to insufficient governmental investment necessitate the exploration of public-private partnerships (PPP). PPP offers a symbiotic relationship where public and private sectors collaboratively leverage their knowledge, resources, skills, and expertise to deliver optimal public infrastructure and related services.

Furthermore, PPP facilitates the integration of industry-related skills and vocational training, providing industry expertise, fostering connections, increasing internship and job placement opportunities, and aligning educational programs with evolving industry demands.

In the era of the digital platform economy, characterized by regional and global integration trends (connectivity, innovation, and inclusion), the 4.0 education system is poised to significantly contribute to instilling new vigor and vitality into the nation.

Dr. Doan Duy Khuong

Source: Vietnam Business Forum