Strengthening Partnerships for Sustainable Development: LHU's Role in Regional NGO and Government Collaborations for SDG Policy

Lac Hong University (LHU) has actively strengthened relationships with regional NGOs and government bodies through its direct involvement in SDG-related policy development and implementation. The university contributes to identifying key challenges, formulating strategies, monitoring interventions, and promoting adaptive management across multiple sectors — particularly education, culture, innovation, social inclusion, and community development sectors.

LHU plays a key role in government policy consultation and social partnership initiatives, supporting the realization of multiple SDGs.

I. Local level

• 1. Policy Consultation on Workforce Development for Long Thanh International Airport (2025)

• Lac Hong University (LHU) was included in provincial policy consultations coordinated by the Dong Nai Department of Education and Training concerning workforce development for Long Thanh International Airport during 2026–2030. The consultations focused on workforce training support policies and training expenditure regulations, contributing to the policy development process related to SDG 4 and SDG 8.

• Supporting documents: Official Letter No. 1641/SGDĐT-GDNN (15 September 2025) and No. 3039/SGDĐT-GDNN (30 October 2025).

• 2. Participation in the Development of the Dong Nai Expert and Scientist Network (2025)

  Following Official Letter No. 710/SKHCN-KHCN, LHU invited faculty members holding doctoral degrees or higher to register for Dong Nai Province's expert and scientist network. The initiative aimed to mobilise academic expertise for policy consultation, applied research, technology transfer, and regional socio-economic development.

  Supporting document: Official Letter No. 710/SKHCN-KHCN (5 August 2025).

• 3. Thanh Son Commune Digital Transformation Partnership (2025)

  On 14 October 2025, LHU signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Thanh Son Commune People's Committee to promote education, artificial intelligence, and local digital transformation. The partnership established a collaborative framework for strengthening digital capabilities and supporting community development.

  Evidence: Thanh Son Strategic Cooperation Agreement

• 4. Long Khanh Digital Transformation Cooperation 2025–2030

  LHU collaborated with the Long Khanh Ward People's Committee on a 2025–2030 cooperation initiative focused on digital government, digital skills training, and community capacity building. The partnership supports local digital transformation strategies and strengthens connections between higher education and public administration.

  Evidence: Long Khanh Digital Transformation Cooperation

• 5. Dong Nai Science and Technology Development Planning (2026)

  LHU engaged in provincial-level science, technology, and innovation planning activities, focusing on identifying and implementing research and technology initiatives relevant to local governance and socio-economic development. These activities support evidence-informed regional development and innovation capacity.

  6. Tran Bien Digital Government Development (2026)

  On 23 June 2026, LHU was invited to advise the Tran Bien Ward People's Committee on comprehensive digital transformation architecture and potential AI applications in public administration and electronic health records. The collaboration focused on identifying local governance needs and developing technology-based public service solutions.

  Evidence: Tran Bien Digital Government Development

  7. Phu Hoa Sustainable Tourism and Innovation Development (2026)

  LHU participated in local surveys, consultations, and cooperation activities concerning sustainable tourism, ecological development, smart agriculture, and innovation in Phu Hoa. These activities aimed to identify local development opportunities and support community-oriented sustainable economic strategies.

  8. Tho Son Ethnic Minority Digital Inclusion Assessment (2026)

  On 18 September 2026, LHU collaborated with the Dong Nai Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs to assess digital transformation needs among ethnic minority communities and local cooperatives in Tho Son Commune. The assessment provided input for planning digital inclusion activities during 2026–2030, supporting equitable access to technology and public services.

  Evidence: Tho Son Digital Inclusion Assessment

  9. La Nga Community Innovation and Digital Transformation (2026)

  On 30 September 2026, LHU worked with local government representatives to assess community innovation needs and develop orientations for a commune-level innovation and digital transformation hub in La Nga. The initiative aimed to support technology adoption, local innovation capacity, and sustainable community development.

  Evidence: La Nga Innovation and Digital Transformation Initiative

II. National level

• 1. Policy Consultation in Education Oversight:
  LHU provided expert input to the draft Guidelines for Inspection and Examination of the 2024 National High School Graduation Examination and contributed feedback to the draft circular on inspection in the education sector, helping to improve transparency and quality assurance mechanisms in national education management.

• 2. Promoting Innovation and Entrepreneurship:
  The Dong Nai Young Entrepreneurs Association, in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology and LHU, organized the program “Investment Pitching for Start-up Projects 2024.”
  This initiative was part of the Dong Nai Innovation and Entrepreneurship Festival 2024 (August 27–30), which aimed to help award-winning start-up projects expand production, develop new products, and access funding opportunities.

• 3. Educational Equity for International Students:
  LHU coordinates annually with the Dong Nai Department of Foreign Affairs to offer five full university scholarships to students of Vietnamese origin from Cambodia and Laos. The university provides one-year Vietnamese language training and free dormitory accommodation, contributing to educational inclusion for learners from low- and middle-income countries.

• 4. Student Financial Aid and Social Policy Collaboration:
  LHU supports the implementation of government tuition and loan assistance programs by guiding students to obtain official confirmation letters for submission to the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs in their localities. This close collaboration demonstrates the university’s strong partnership with both provincial and central government in achieving social equity goals.

• Foreign Language and Cultural Integration Programs:
  In partnership with the Dong Nai Department of Education and Training and Visang Education Vietnam, LHU implemented the Pilot Korean Language Program for high school students in Dong Nai. The program lasted three months and was completely tuition-free, promoting multilingual learning and intercultural understanding.

• 5. Policy Input for Higher Education Quality Assurance:
  LHU has contributed to the national framework for quality accreditation and digital transformation in higher education, supporting reforms that ensure institutional accountability and educational excellence.

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  6. Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Tourism Development:

• LHU contributes to recording and preserving local heritage through the Dong Nai Tourism Presentation and Introduction Contest, jointly organized with the Vietnam Student Association, the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, and the Dong Nai Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.
  The contest encourages students to explore Dong Nai’s intangible cultural heritage—historical sites, festivals, folk arts, crafts, and cuisine—promoting community identity and sustainable cultural preservation.

• 7. National Consultation on Manufacturing and Processing Education Standards (2025)

  LHU representatives participated in consultations on the draft national curriculum standards for manufacturing and processing programmes developed under the Ministry of Education and Training. The activity provided opportunities to discuss educational quality, curriculum requirements, and alignment with workforce competencies.

  Evidence: National Curriculum Standards Consultation

  8. National Higher Education Quality Assurance Policy Review – Decision 78/QĐ-TTg (2025)

  LHU's Rector presented institutional experience integrating national and international accreditation approaches during a national policy review conference. The presentation contributed practical perspectives to discussions on higher education quality assurance and implementation of national education development priorities.

  Evidence: National Quality Assurance Policy Review

  9. National Digital Competency Framework Implementation Dialogue (2025)

  LHU participated in discussions concerning implementation of the national digital competency framework for learners, alongside other higher education institutions and international experts. The dialogue supported knowledge sharing on digital education, competency development, and implementation challenges.

  Evidence: Digital Competency Framework Dialogue

  10. National Consultation on Educational Data Governance Policy (2025)

  LHU received a national consultation request from the Ministry of Education and Training concerning a draft Government Decree on educational and training data management. The consultation addressed data governance, personal data protection, and digital transformation across Vietnam's education system.

  Supporting document: Official Letter No. 6013/BGDĐT-KHCNTT (29 September 2025).

  11. National Consultation on Science, Technology and Innovation Policy in Higher Education (2025)

  LHU was included in the Ministry of Education and Training's consultation process concerning a draft Government Decree regulating science, technology, and innovation activities in higher education institutions. The proposed framework addressed university research governance, innovation capacity, and cooperation among government, universities, and enterprises.

  Supporting document: Official Letter No. 7524/BGDĐT-KHCNTT (18 November 2025).

  12. National Consultation on Teacher and Academic Workforce Policy (2025)

  The Ministry of Education and Training requested higher education institutions, including LHU, to collect and consolidate feedback on the draft Decree guiding implementation of the Law on Teachers. The consultation focused on regulatory feasibility, implementation challenges, and proposed amendments to provisions affecting teachers and academic workforce governance.

  Supporting document: Official Letter No. 8175/BGDĐT-NGCBQLGD (12 December 2025).

  13. Government Review of Science, Technology and Digital Transformation Initiatives (2026)

  On 23 October 2026, LHU reported progress on two science, technology, and digital transformation initiatives and proposed a commune-level innovation hub model for 2027. The activity involved reporting on implementation progress and discussing evaluation criteria and potential replication to support future innovation planning.

  Evidence: Government Review of Science and Technology Initiatives

  14. Higher Education Accreditation Policy Implementation – Circular 20/2026 (2026)

  LHU participated in training and discussions concerning the implementation of Circular 20/2026/TT-BGDĐT on higher education institutional self-assessment and accreditation. The activity supported institutional understanding and implementation of updated national quality assurance requirements.

  Evidence: Higher Education Accreditation Training

• III. Regional Level (ASEAN / Cross-Country)

• 1. Regional Higher Education Policy Research – POL:EMERGE (2026)

  LHU participated in the POL:EMERGE regional research initiative examining higher education policymaking in Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand. The project investigated evidence-informed policy development, artificial intelligence, and institutional governance to support more effective higher education policy frameworks.

  Evidence: POL:EMERGE Regional Policy Research

  2. ASEAN Policy Co-Creation Dialogue – POL:EMERGE (2026)

  LHU representatives contributed to international policy dialogues under the POL:EMERGE project, discussing the use of data, research evidence, and AI in higher education policymaking. The dialogue facilitated knowledge exchange among academic stakeholders from ASEAN countries and supported collaborative approaches to education governance.

  Evidence: POL:EMERGE International Policy Conference

IV. Global level

At the global level, LHU continues to engage in international forums and policy dialogues to advance SDG-aligned higher education practices and partnerships.

1. Workshop on Digital Competency Frameworks:

LHU co-organized the workshop “Implementation of the Digital Competency Framework for Students – International Experience and Vietnamese Practice”, focusing on applying global best practices to improve digital literacy in Vietnam.

• 2. ASTID Forum Presentation:
  LHU participated in the Applying Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development (ASTID) conference, sharing models that integrate academic innovation and sustainable community growth.

• 3. Dean’s Academy Summit 2025 (Dean 2.0):
  LHU joined 30 academic leaders from universities across Asia and the Middle East in the summit “The Power of Partnership: Collaboratively Navigating the Next Horizon in the Age of AI.”
  During the “Sharing Best Practices” session, LHU presented on “AUN-QA and ABET Accreditation: Pathways from Local Excellence to Global Recognition,” contributing practical insights into quality assurance and academic leadership.

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• 4. ACE Conference 2025, Tempe, Arizona, USA:

  • • From October 21–23, 2025, five LHU representatives will attend the ACE Conference “Shaping the Future of Education”, co-hosted by Arizona State University (ASU) and CINTANA Education.
      The conference gathers education and university leaders from the global CINTANA Alliance for discussions on:

  • Academic leadership and innovation in the age of AI

  • Online learning and growth mindset development

  • Research and institutional capacity building
    Participants will also visit leading research centers such as the Biodesign Institute, NASA Mars Rover Lab, and Dreamscape VR Learning Lab, fostering cross-sectoral collaboration in higher education innovation.

• Through its sustained engagement with government agencies, regional NGOs, and international academic networks, Lac Hong University continues to contribute to the management, monitoring, and reporting of SDG-related interventions.
  LHU’s collaborative approach enables adaptive management and strengthens policy linkages across education, innovation, and cultural sustainability—demonstrating the university’s commitment to advancing the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

• 5. InnoAIQA-VN – German–Vietnamese Cooperation on AI-Enabled Higher Education Quality Assurance (2025–2026)

  Lac Hong University (LHU) participated in the InnoAIQA-VN project as a participating institution and a member of the Training Committee, represented by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Phuong Truong. Supported by the German National Multiplication Trainings (NMT) programme, the project promoted ethical AI governance and quality assurance in Vietnamese higher education. LHU also implemented an AI-powered chatbot and monitoring dashboard to strengthen evidence-based quality assurance and continuous institutional improvement.

  Supporting evidence: InnoAIQA-VN Project Website

  6. International Policy Research Cooperation – POL:EMERGE (2025–2026)

  Through POL:EMERGE, LHU engaged in an internationally supported research partnership examining higher education policymaking across four Southeast Asian countries. The collaboration contributed to cross-country policy analysis and discussions on evidence-based educational governance.

  Evidence: POL:EMERGE

  7. LHU–Arizona State University–Cintana International Education Alliance (2025–2026)

  LHU's international collaboration with Arizona State University and the Cintana Alliance supports knowledge exchange, educational innovation, research cooperation, and institutional capacity development. The partnership contributes to international education collaboration.