The training program held at RMIT’s Hanoi campus

Recently, RMIT University Vietnam’s Hanoi campus hosted the International Training Program “Empowering Vietnam's Digital Transformation Expert Network.” This program is developed by the USAID Improving Private Sector Competitiveness Project in Vietnam (USAID IPSC). It is funded by USAID IPSC, with the Agency for Enterprise Development under Vietnam’s Ministry of Planning and Investment as the project owner.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Program, Mr. Nguyen Duc Trung, Deputy Director of the Agency for Enterprise Development (Ministry of Planning and Investment), said: The Agency of Enterprise Development has spearheaded initiatives to support businesses in their digital transformation journeys. These activities include raising awareness, consulting on strategic roadmaps, offering in-depth training, and establishing a network of consultants. The goal is to facilitate a comprehensive transition from partial to full digital transformation, enhancing production and business efficiency, expanding market share, and progressively accessing international markets.

Specifically, in 2022 - 2023, the agency has made many different efforts to support businesses and establish an ecosystem in which not only small and medium enterprises but also experts are enhanced in capacity. Thereby, it will equip them with skills and knowledge to provide comprehensive consulting and support services to help Vietnamese businesses grow stronger.

According to Nguyen Duc Trung, digital transformation experts require a wide range of skills related to comprehensive business analysis, strategic planning, as well as financial and marketing management concerns. These are skills in addition to the ability to design customized digital transformation roadmaps for Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and many other industry, sector, value chain and management concerns.

Commenting on the importance of digital transformation in helping Vietnamese businesses increase their competitiveness and reach out to international markets, Ms. Nguyen Khanh Cam Chau, Head of Economic Development, Advisor on Private Sector Cooperation, USAID said: Alongside its commitment to sustainable business support, USAID, through the IPSC project and in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and Investment, aims to establish a robust network of experts dedicated to assisting Vietnamese businesses in their digital transformation journeys. The training program will offer a blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on practice within enterprises, ensuring that solutions are tailored to each business model. This approach will enhance the effectiveness of consulting activities and drive meaningful outcomes for participating businesses.

The training program will address key topics that are at the forefront of international digital transformation trends, including optimal performance in digital transformation, strategies for the forestry and agriculture sectors, digital business strategy and management transformation in the digital age. The curriculum is designed to blend foundational theory with the latest insights and practical applications. Consultants will engage directly with enterprises, providing on-site consulting and receiving valuable feedback from instructors to enhance their skills and effectiveness.

In addition, after the training course, the lecturers will organize an evaluation session, select the 10 best experts to continue intensive training within 40 hours and advise 20 SMEs receiving support from the Ministry of Planning and Investment.