Academy of Public Administration and Governance attends the 2nd Regional Conference of the Digital Skills to Succeed Project in Leipzig, Germany: Connecting Businesses and Universities, Building the Future of Higher Education in the Digital Age

The conference gathered 165 delegates from 25 countries, including leaders and managers of universities and research institutes in the DS2S and iN4iN networks, global technology corporations (HP, IBM, CISCO) and representatives of international organizations such as OECD, DAAD. This is a multi-dimensional connection space between education - businesses - community - government, promoting ideas, developing cooperation models and building sustainable connections in the digital age.

SD2S Project - Journey to enhance digital skills

The Digital Skills to Succeed Project (DS2S), commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), supports enhancing digital skills for students outside the technology sector in Bangladesh, India and Viet Nam. Through cooperation between universities, businesses and governments, the Project helps to narrow the gap between the classroom and the labor market, where digital skills are increasingly needed.

Main content and highlights of the Conference

This year's conference emphasizes three core messages:

1.    Inspire Change - Inspire innovation in teaching methods.

2.    Integrate Knowledge - Connect academic knowledge and business practices.

3.    Innovate for the Future - Innovation for the future, developing flexible and creative training programs.

Day 1: Opening of the DS2S Network Regional Conference

The opening session focused on the progress and sustainability of DS2S as a platform to promote digital transformation in higher education.

• Business dialogue: Leaders of CISCO, HP, IBM emphasized the connection of training programs with the constantly changing needs of the labor market.

• OECD: Ms. Shizuka Kato affirmed the transformational role of micro-credentials in lifelong education.

• Viet Nam: Dr. Dang Van Huan - Deputy Director of the Department of Higher Education, shared direction for higher education associated with the digital transformation strategy.

• Signing of MoU: Leipzig University signed with HP, IBM, CISCO to expand the Living Labs model, creating an innovation center linked to practical needs.

Day 2: Action – Connecting Universities and Businesses

The second working day focused on practical cooperation solutions to shorten the gap between academia and businesses. The program opened at Leipzig City Hall with a welcome speech by Prof. Matthias Middell – Vice Rector of Leipzig University. Discussion sessions introduced typical cooperation models: International Hackathon on logistics (Tunisia & Ghana), R&D Drone Ecosystem (India), Digital Narrative Design Incubator (India), Service-Learning (Germany).

In the afternoon, parallel workshops brought direct experiences to delegates: hackathon, service-learning, OER development with AI, generative AI tools to support teaching and learning, and EES models (India). The final strategic dialogue session focused on shaping the cooperation roadmap after 2026.

Day 3: Innovation in teaching and learning

The final day's program emphasized innovation and digital leadership. Prof. Erik Wende (University of Leipzig) introduced the competency framework for future organizations and the role of universities in training digital leaders.

At the thematic session, APAG Viet Nam and theUniversity of Leipzig introduced a collaborative product: Applying Design Thinking in gamifying teaching content - one of the core components of Innovative Teaching in DS2S. This course has been tested and will be officially deployed in Viet Nam, India, and Bangladesh.

In addition to the APAG presentation, many typical cooperation models were also shared, such as the International Hackathon on logistics (Tunisia & Ghana), the R&D Drone Ecosystem ENORD (India), the Digital Narrative Design Incubator (India), Service-Learning through Global Talent Ignite (Germany) and Process Living Labs (Germany).

In the afternoon, parallel workshops created opportunities for delegates to experience directly: hackathon, service-learning, living labs with the participation of CISCO and IBM; developing open educational materials (OER) with AI (University of Magdeburg, Germany); applying generative AI in teaching and learning (AI Campus, Germany); and the EES model - Experience, Engagement, Satisfaction (Banaras Hindu University, India).

In particular, the visit to the Logistics Living Lab and Process Living Lab at Leipzig University helped delegates experience how technologies such as AI-based video analysis, motion tracking, and eye-tracking are applied to optimize supply chains, production processes, and enhance customer experience. This is a clear demonstration of the value of Living Labs in connecting the classroom with businesses, while enhancing the employability of students and promoting sustainable development.

At the end of the program, the strategic dialogue session identified the next steps to expand teaching method innovation to 2026 and the following years.

Results and Directions

The conference agreed on four strategic directions:

1. Expanding Living Labs as an innovation center, where students - lecturers - businesses co-create.

2. Deploying micro-credentials to help students and workers continuously update digital skills.

3. Promoting project-based learning, linking academic knowledge with practical needs.

4. Innovating teaching through AI, gamification, and digital technology, preparing the next generation of students for the future of work.

The role and contribution of APAG

The active presence of the Vietnamese delegation in Leipzig contributes to strengthening the partnership between APAG, GIZ, and universities in the DS2S network. This is also an opportunity for APAG to demonstrate its pioneering role in international cooperation, while enhancing the capacity for innovative teaching for Vietnamese and regional lecturers.

The event affirms APAG's commitment to connecting universities and businesses, promoting innovation in teaching methods, and creating a generation of students ready to integrate and master the digital age.

News: Ngoc Toan - Quynh Hoa