Digital competency framework contributes to developing digital human resources for the country

The seminar was attended by units under the Ministry of Education and Training, a number of Departments of Education and Training, more than 80 higher education institutions, experts and business representatives.

The scene of the talk

Speaking at the seminar, Director of the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education and Training Nguyen Thu Thuy said that the digital competency framework will be a foundation, a very basic framework to shape what is needed for the future generation of Vietnam.

The Digital Competency Framework for Learners is a system that describes the skills and knowledge needed for learners to use digital technology effectively in their studies, work, and life. This competency framework helps identify levels of digital proficiency and encourages the development of appropriate skills in a digital context.

According to Director Nguyen Thu Thuy, the significance of the Digital Competency Framework is not only to improve the quality of education but also to open the door to innovation, helping students become global citizens, with the ability to compete in the international labor market. This is also an opportunity to narrow the digital gap between regions, ensuring that all students, whether in urban or rural areas, have the opportunity to access and master technology.

Director of the Department of Higher Education Nguyen Thu Thuy speaks at the seminar

In addition, the Digital Competency Framework helps guide teachers and lecturers in teaching, ensuring that learners' learning not only meets the needs of each student and each family, but also meets the requirements of society in the era of the 4.0 industrial revolution.

According to the draft Circular promulgating the digital competency framework for learners in the national education system, the users of the Digital Competency Framework apply to learners in the national education system for use in education, training, and fostering programs, training institutions, digital competency assessment organizations, and educational institutions.

The digital competency framework is built to ensure 6 main objectives. That is, to serve as a unified basis for digital competency requirements for learners in the national education system; to serve as a reference framework for standards and guidelines for developing digital competencies so that educational institutions in the national education system can determine the content and methods to help learners acquire digital competencies appropriate to each level of education; to help learners develop the necessary skills to use technology effectively, be ready to face challenges and opportunities in the digital world and be the foundation for lifelong learning; to ensure that all learners have the opportunity to access and develop digital competencies, contributing to reducing the gap in access to and use of technology; as a basis for building programs, compiling or selecting curricula, textbooks, teaching plans, and other teaching materials to improve digital capacity and develop criteria for testing, examinations, and assessments at each level of education and training, ensuring connectivity between levels of education and training; ensuring that the education system meets the needs of the digital age, while helping learners develop comprehensively and sustainably.

Deputy Director of the Department of Higher Education Nguyen Anh Dung reported at the seminar.

The implementation plan is guaranteed for higher education to promote autonomy, build training program output standards based on the national qualification framework, digital competency framework, and foreign language competency framework. For general education and preschool education, guidance is provided for each level of education.

Affirming that digital transformation is taking place more and more strongly, especially artificial intelligence technology is developing "dizzily" affecting all areas of social life, Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan, President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, said that the Digital Competency Framework for Learners will provide a set of effective and appropriate standards, helping to improve digital competence for learners at all levels of education, contributing to the development of comprehensive digital human resources for the country.

According to Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities has been making pioneering efforts in integrating digital skills into its teaching and learning programs. In recent times, the school has successfully piloted methods and tools to develop digital competencies for students and lecturers. Thereby, it has achieved positive results in improving learners' ability to access and use information technology, as well as promoting creative thinking and cooperation in the digital environment, in the context of international integration and the 4.0 industrial revolution. 

Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, discussed at the seminar

Mr. Vu Quoc Bang, Deputy Head of Training Department, Ho Chi Minh City National University, said that Ho Chi Minh City National University is currently building a digital competency framework for lecturers in the system. Therefore, the Circular is a very important basis, consistent with the school's orientations, to rely on the digital competency of learners, build digital competency for teachers, and meet practical needs.

According to Mr. Vu Quoc Bang, there should be detailed instructions after the circular is issued so that units can implement it effectively; unify and specify each subject and level nationwide; and how to integrate the method into each subject.

Delegates discussed at the discussion

The representative of FPT Education Organization proposed that it is necessary to update the detailed framework, encourage the autonomy of higher education institutions; have more specific measurement indicators for easy implementation; provide specific instructions for school teachers, integrate subjects and assessments; need to clarify more about ethics and transparency in the use of AI...

With many comments recorded at the discussion, the drafting committee and editorial team will absorb, review, update and complete the draft Circular in the coming time.