Overview of Program:

As advancements and innovations in science, technology, and engineering change and shape new career opportunities across all industry sectors, the Vietnamese technical professional and entrepreneurs must be front and center in Vietnam to prepare a sustainable STEM workforce to drive the digital economy today and into the future. This year, the conference theme will convene industry, universities, and government to frame a “call to action” for the development of a STEM education national roadmap for digital skills, technology and engineering the future STEM digitally driven workforce and technology entrepreneurs of the future. 

Sessions and speakers will place important emphasis on an enterprise-wide workforce partnership development approach that leverages government programs, the private sector, and higher education institutions to create scaled and innovative collective partnerships to bridge the talent gaps in STEM today and into the future.

About the STEMCON Conference:

Founded between USAID Vietnam, university and industry partners, Arizona State University hosts the largest, longest running Science, Technology, Engineering, and ­­­Math (STEMCON) engineering education conference in Vietnam. STEMCON is a platform for industry, government, and universities to convene and develop partnerships to drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and development of STEM higher education. This will be our eighth year bringing together Vietnam’s greatest minds and influencers in the STEM fields. Our conference unites policy makers, corporate leaders, university and college leaders, and industry poised to make sustainable innovative approaches to   through strategic public-private partnerships. Vietnam has emerged as a emerging PPP STEM model for ASEAN.

Each year, the conference convenes hundreds of universities, industry, and government leaders from Vietnam, US, and across ASEAN for a strategic dialogue, interactive plenary and technical sessions, panel discussions, networking, exhibits and seminars that will pave paths for new ventures and partnerships to advance STEM higher education. This is the premier conference for STEM education and workforce contributors to collaborate, connect, share best practices, and innovate for the future.

Who Should Attend:

STEM University Faculty; Industry; Government; Educators; Entrepreneurs; Policy makers; Workforce Development and Industry Associations

BRIEF OVERVIEW OF STEMCON 2023 PRESENTATIONS & PANEL DISCUSSION

Morning Keynote Presentation: Celebrating USAID BUILD-IT project: Results and impacts of public-private partnerships in Vietnam higher education

The Building University-Industry Learning and Development through Innovation and Technology (BUILD-IT) Alliance is a collaborative initiative between USAID, ASU, industry partners, and the Vietnamese Government to transform higher education (HE) in Vietnam and create a world-class model for innovative Technology & Engineering HE. Through this initiative, ASU has worked to improve the quality of education, instruction, curricula, globalization, and student experiential learning in STEM fields in Vietnam since 2015. BUILD-IT addresses the challenges faced by the Vietnamese HE sector, including making the transition from government-controlled to autonomous institutions, improving quality and instruction, and creating curricula that are relevant to industry needs. The initiative has focused on three major core areas: leadership and strategy towards university autonomy, academic program quality through ABET/AUN-QA compliance, and sustainable university-industry partnership through applied project-based/industry-based curriculum implementation.

By focusing on capacity-building, strategic planning, a culture of collaboration and innovation, our partnership has spearheaded systemic change in governance and policies to enhance quality and access while paving the way for Vietnamese universities to transition to autonomy and embrace the enterprise spirit. BUILD-IT’s impact has been tremendous and far-reaching extending beyond numbers, with tangible results such as improved program quality, industry relevance, and a skilled workforce that will drive Vietnam's economic growth for years to come.

University Design Leadership Dialogue: MOET and University Rector’s Response to Digital Transformation Call to Action

The panel discussion on University Design Leadership Dialogue will focus on the topic of digital transformation in Vietnamese higher education, which has been accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic and national policy. The panelists will share their insights and experiences on how university rectors and leaders can respond to the call to action from the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) to implement and achieve the digital transformation strategy, bringing values to learners and ensuring innovation in higher education. The panel will also explore the current state and potential of digital transformation in Vietnamese universities, as well as the opportunities and challenges for collaboration with U.S. universities to support the digital transformation agenda. The panel discussion aims to provide a platform for dialogue and exchange of best practices among university leaders, policy makers, researchers and practitioners on how to foster digital transformation in higher education in Vietnam and beyond.

Industry’s Voice: Development of Vietnam’s STEM Workforce of the Future

Vietnam's fast-growing economy and dynamic population offer a unique opportunity to provide a skilled and innovative workforce in STEM for sustained growth and competitiveness. The panel will address critical questions on how Vietnam can promote STEM education and innovation culture among young people. The discussion will also focus on industry-academia collaboration, challenges, opportunities, and strategies to support the development of Vietnam's STEM talent pipeline and ecosystem. The panelists, senior executives from leading companies in Vietnam, including Intel, Paradox, Oracle, Boeing, and Amkor, will share their insights and experiences of investing in STEM education and innovation initiatives. They will also explore ways in which their contributions have impacted the development of Vietnam's STEM workforce. The panel will provide recommendations and insights on ensuring the sustainability of Vietnam's STEM workforce.

Creating Pathways to STEM Education through Digital and Online Lifelong Learning at Scale

This panel will explore the challenges and opportunities of providing accessible and inclusive STEM education for learners of all ages and backgrounds. The panelists will share their insights and experiences from various initiatives and projects that leverage digital and online platforms to deliver high-quality STEM learning experiences at scale. The panel will also discuss the implications and recommendations for policy makers, educators, researchers, and industry partners who are interested in promoting and supporting STEM education in the digital age. The panel aims to stimulate a lively and constructive dialogue among the participants and the audience on how to foster a culture of lifelong learning and innovation in STEM fields.

Afternoon Keynote Presentation: University Autonomy: Building a “New Enterprise University Model” through Digital Transformation

The concept of university autonomy has been challenged by the rapid changes in the global higher education industry, driven by digital transformation, globalization, and social media. To cope with these changes and remain competitive, universities need to adopt a “new enterprise university model” that leverages digital technologies to create value for students, faculty, and society. This keynote presentation will explore how digital transformation can enable university autonomy by enhancing academic quality, innovation, and engagement. It will also propose a conceptual model for sustainable digital transformation in universities, based on a qualitative study of multiple cases in the education sector. The speaker will draw on the example of Arizona State University (ASU), which has been recognized as a leader in the New American University model, a vision for higher education that combines excellence, access and social responsibility. The speaker will highlight how ASU has used digital technologies to enhance its teaching, research and outreach missions, as well as to create new opportunities for collaboration, engagement and revenue generation. The presentation will also share some of the challenges and lessons learned from ASU's digital transformation journey and offer some recommendations for other universities that aspire to become more autonomous, innovative and impactful in the 21st century.

Building 21st Century Professional Skills: Experiential and Project-based Learning Outside the Traditional Classrooms

The panel will explore how educators can design and implement innovative learning experiences that foster the development of essential skills for the future workforce. The panelists will share their insights and best practices from various disciplines and contexts. They will also discuss the challenges and opportunities of integrating experiential and project-based learning into the curriculum, as well as the assessment and evaluation of student outcomes. The panel discussion aims to inspire and inform educators who are interested in transforming their teaching and learning practices to better prepare students for the complex and dynamic world of the 21st century.

Reskilling the STEM Workforce through “just-in-time” Micro-credentials and Certification Programs

The fast-paced technological change and innovation within STEM fields present significant challenges for workforce development and education. Micro-credentials and certification programs address this skills gap by offering short-term, flexible, online or in-person competency-based learning opportunities. These opportunities allow workers to gain recognition for their existing skills, update their knowledge, and advance their STEM careers. This panel discussion explores the benefits and challenges of implementing "just-in-time" micro-credentials and certification programs for reskilling the STEM workforce, featuring successful initiatives from various sectors and regions. The panelists will share insights on designing, delivering, and assessing these programs. Additionally, the panel addresses policy implications and recommendations for scaling.