[Hanoi, March 24, 2022] Applying technology in education is indispensable for adapting to the pandemic context. Therefore, Vietnam’s educational technology market is being assessed extremely potential with total investment in startups ranked 3rd with $20.2 million ranked in the top 10 educational technology markets with the highest growth rate in the world at the rate of about 44.3% (According to the Vietnam Educational technology Report 2021). In 2021, Vietnam shifted from the “pandemic-response education” status to “pandemic-adapted education”. By 2022, educational technology will be the pioneering technology, technology needs are above the essential needs to meet the increasing demands of people and society. Open innovation is essential to improve the quality of education, link subjects to solve the problems posed, exploit the potential, and attract foreign investment. That profound direction of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in TECHFEST 2021 has led and created the ideological foundation in designing and building an open innovation ecosystem in education.
Continuing the spirit of “Igniting the Knowledge Economy” of theEdtech Festival 2021, on March 24, 2022, the workshop “Open Innovation Ecosystem and Educational Technology in the New Normal Context” under TECHFEST 2022 was organized by the National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Development (NATEC) of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Educational Technology Village, Management and Sustainable Development Institute (MSD) – United Way Vietnam, Social Challenge and Innovation Village and National Economics University, funded by Shinhan Square Bridge Program, brought to the panorama of educational technology in Vietnam in 2021 from changing thinking, vision and technology application to solve new challenges, thereby making assessments and orientations for educational technology development in the coming time.
The workshop was attended by Mr. Pham Hong Quat, Director General of NATEC; Mr. Bui Tien Dung – Department of Student Affairs, Ministry of Education and Training; Ms. Hooyung Young, Vice President Southeast Asia, Korea and Japan – United Way Worldwide; Ms. Nguyen Phuong Linh, Executive Director of MSD – United Way Vietnam – Former Head of Social Challenge and Innovation TECHFEST 2021; Mr. Do Nguyen Hung – Head of Educational Technology Village, innovative startups in the field of education, representatives of social organizations, domestic and international investors and interested journalists. In particular, the seminar on the open innovative startup in educational technology ecosystem emphasized the role of the subjects and the need to connect the parties to solve the problem of education quality and post-pandemic psychology. The State and organizations and corporations have “new problems” in management & operation; and are essential in connecting “new solutions and initiatives” from startups. In that linkage model, it is necessary to have a “string” connecting the intermediary of startup businesses with incubators and support organizations to jointly complete solutions and initiatives. In addition, digital transformation in education also needs to ensure that people are centered, fair and inclusive in access and enjoyment, leaving no one behind.
In opening remarks, Mr. Pham Hong Quat, Director of NATEC shared: “This is the first Techfest 2022 workshop that was launched on March 22, 2022, with the participation of representatives of all stakeholders in building the innovation ecosystem in Vietnam. In 2022, we will focus on addressing the challenges of the context, especially in the COVID 19 context, challenges in all areas, including education that needs open innovation initiatives and the participation of all stakeholders to address.”
Professor Dr. Pham Hong Chuong, President of National Economics University shared “Education is the core of development. Digital transformation in education is extremely necessary, the transition in education has brought many benefits to the education sector, especially the National Economics University since the Covid-19 pandemic. Vietnam is one of the countries that are best adapted to the pandemic situation, so I believe that this will be the year we start to redo activities that have stagnated in previous years due to the impact of the pandemic and will be achieved thanks to the support of technology.”
Ms. Hooyung Young, Vice President Southeast Asia, Korea and Japan – United Way Worldwide, representative of Shinhan Square Bridge Vietnam emphasized: “I found that Vietnam is highly appreciated by many other countries for its innovation in social technology reform with the participation of many startups. As time goes by under the influence of Covid-19, we see a lot of change, especially in education, and increasing inequality, especially among vulnerable groups. Therefore, the role of the startup is highly appreciated when it is key in implementing innovations, especially in education. With the digital transformation happening more and more strongly like this, innovation in education is important and necessary to develop the country and reduce inequality.”
Vietnam educational technology – developing trends and challenges
At the seminar, a number of typical startups in the field of education were also introduced. Schools.vn – a smart school management platform connecting parents and students introduced by Tripath Vietnam. This is the foundation to ensure effective school governance, while connecting family-school-student interaction education and ensuring authentic learning experiences for students. It is estimated that the application of technology can result in a 40% saving in management costs for the school. Schools.vn includes a wide range of applications ranging from credit card or photo student enrollment including mask recognition, electronic school books, online learning systems – grading, online parent payment and student tracking, etc. Schools.vn is being supported by Shinhan Square Bridge program to access and promote the digital transformation of education and smart school administration in 100 schools in 7 provinces in Vietnam.
In addition, the seminar also introduced BaseLive platform – the platform for aggregating, classifying and broadcasting events via livestream technology introduced by BaseLive. This is a very trendy startup business model to meet the increasing demand for online learning according to the trend.
Developing an open innovation ecosystem in educational technology – building an ecosystem that ensures no one is left behind
The seminar was followed by a session on “Developing an open innovation ecosystem in educational technology – building an ecosystem that ensures no one is left behind”. The conference was attended by:
– Mr. Pham Hong Quat – Director General of the National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Development
– Mr. Bui Tien Dung – Department of Student Affairs – Ministry of Education and Training
– Ms. Nguyen Phuong Linh – Executive Director of Management and Sustainable Development Institute (MSD) – United Way Vietnam – Former Head of Social Challenge and Innovation Techfest 2021
– Mr. Do Nguyen Hung – Head of Edtech Techfest Vietnam
– Ms. Khac Hong Nga – Co-Head of Circular Economy, Head of TechFest Connect
Ms. Nguyen Phuong Linh, Executive Director of MSD – United Way Vietnam, Shinhan Square Bridge program shared “The goal of digital transformation is to create and apply technology to serve people. In progress towards the achievement of sustainable development goals, education (Goal 4) plays a core role. The renovation of educational technology needs to ensure that it serves to build a generation of global citizens of Vietnam, while ensuring that no one is left behind. The Shinhan Square Bridge Program supports educational startups interested in addressing education challenges, ensuring comprehensive education and equal access for all, including vulnerable groups such as the disabled, the poor, women, ethnic minority children, remote areas, etc. In 2022, we will work with Techfest Technology Villages including Educational technology Villages to support startups that are not only interested in technology development, but also educational technology for everyone.”
Sharing about the achievements of EdTech in 2021 and the plan for 2022, Mr. Do Nguyen Hung said: “In 2021, we are pleased to accompany ministries, departments and agencies to build a synchronous system of technology application in education for all levels of education to adapt to the context of the pandemic. In fact, many technologies and technology platforms to support education are brought back to Vietnam, but the application is still a challenge. Based on the achievements of 2021, in 2022, we commit to continue working together with management agencies, technology villages and supporting organizations to bring platforms and solutions to localities and remote areas. At the same time, we also work closely with incubators at educational institutions across the country to bring support and boost the startup ecosystem.”
Digital transformation in education is indispensable for innovative startups. This is the key to the prosperous and sustainable development of a country. In order to incubate and stimulate innovation, it is essential that models, training programs, nurseries, lead individuals as well as organizations. Ms. Khac Hong Nga shared about the TechFest Connect model: “The program focuses on two main activities: Accelerating training and Connecting investment. The new point of the model is how to coach. The program will invite professional coaches who are successful funders and leaders of international businesses and corporations to train the startups of the Village. The first season of the program in October 2021 was successful when 4/5 of the village’s startups were successfully funded, this is the motivation and the premise for us to continue to implement and expand in 2022, bringing practical value to the Vietnamese startup.”
The talk show shared, discussed and exchanged about how to build an educational technology startup ecosystem including technology investment, content, digital human resources, etc. Mr. Pham Hong Quat summed up “Be open-minded to innovation in a new context, ensuring Vietnam’s digital transformation works!”
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About Shinhan Square Bridge Vietnam Program
The Shinhan Future Solutions Program (Shinhan S2 Bridge Vietnam) is a cross-border and cross-sector collective impact initiative, designing and building an inclusive community that gives opportunities for all in Vietnam. By leveraging innovative tech solutions offered by proven startups, it will help citizens connect to available resources and new opportunities for future success. The program has been implemented in Vietnam since 2021.
About Management and Sustainable Development Institute (MSD) – United Way Vietnam
MSD – United Way Vietnam envisions a world of justice and equality, where all individuals and their families can achieve their human potential through good education, financial stability, and healthy lives. We are taking efforts to improve sustainable lives by mobilizing the caring power to the united partnership of an ecosystem for sustainable development. MSD focuses on the following areas: (1) Education, Protection, Development; (2) Improving Income and Quality of Life; (3) Environmental Health with a cross-cutting approach to sustainable development, promoting solidarity – collaboration, ensuring equality and participation, applying innovation.