As higher education places greater emphasis on quality, adaptability, and sustainable impact, strengthening international academic exchange and the sharing of practical experience plays an important role in encouraging universities to innovate and move forward together.

On October 6, Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Finance (UEF) and Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH) co-hosted the International Seminar “From Exchange to Impact: DAAD Alumni Advancing Quality Assurance for Sustainable Higher Education Transformation in Vietnam,” with funding from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). As part of DAAD Alumni Events 2026 under the theme “Change by Exchange,” the workshop aimed to bring together international experiences with efforts to promote practical impacts on Vietnamese higher education.

 

The seminar brought together international experts, education managers, quality assurance professionals, and DAAD alumni working at universities. Attending the seminar as speakers were Mr. Philip Marsden, Deputy Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Ho Chi Minh City; Ms. Pham Ngoc Mai, Representative of DAAD in Ho Chi Minh City; Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Chairman of the Vietnam–Germany Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City; and 45 leaders, faculty members, as well as specialists from different universities also attended.

 

The workshop brought together experts, education managers, and DAAD alumni for

academic exchange between Vietnam and Germany

 

The seminar also welcomed 20 DAAD alumni: educators who had participated in DAAD’s international training and professional development programs and continue to apply that experience to university governance, quality assurance, and the internationalization of higher education in Vietnam.

 

Turning international exchange into practical impact

 

One of the seminar’s highlights was the showcase of 14 posters by DAAD DIES Alumni. The posters presented their professional journeys and initiatives developed through programs such as TrainIQA, UNILEAD, Management of Internationalisation, International Deans’ Course, and other DAAD training programs.

 

Each poster illustrated how knowledge, models, and international networks can translate into tangible changes in professional practice and management at each university. Together, they brought the theme “From Exchange to Impact” to life: academic exchange creates value beyond individual experience, generating initiatives, improvements, and benefits for the wider education community.

 

The 14 posters by DAAD DIES alumni showcased initiatives developed through DAAD’s international training and exchange programs

 

The event featured various activities, ranging from presentations and expert discussions to the World Café Discussion and the Gallery Walk. The key topics included Quality Assurance, Quality Culture, student professional capacity, sustainable development, and the social impact of higher education.

 

Experts shared practical perspectives on quality assurance, quality culture, professional capacity, and sustainable development in higher education

 

Participating in the discussions were Prof. Dr. Philipp Pohlenz, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany; Dr. Ly Thien Trang, Vice President of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH) and Director of Quality Assurance and Accreditation of UEF; Dr. Phan Bao Giang, Vice President of UEF; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dinh Thanh Viet, Vice President of Dong A University; Dr. Nguyen Van Hung, Head of the Education Quality Accreditation Office, Phenikaa University and Vice President of ASEAN-QA Association; and Ms. Nguyen Minh Phuong, Manager, Center for Education Quality Management, Member, Sustainability Committee, VinUniversity.

 

Dr. Phan Bao Giang, Vice President of UEF, represented the university to

share his insights at the Seminar

 

Aiming for quality culture and sustainable development

 

Through discussions on specialized topics, the seminar contributed to expanding approaches to quality assurance as higher education is undergoing significant changes. Instead of focusing only on complying with current standards, participants emphasized the need for building a Quality Culture in which quality becomes a shared awareness, responsibility, and regular practice throughout an institution.

 

UEF seeks to connect quality assurance with student competencies, social impact,

and the sustainable development goals

 

UEF actively supports and fosters this direction throughout its development. The university emphasizes aligning quality assurance with sustainable development goals, particularly SDG 4 - Quality Education, SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals.

 

From this perspective, higher education quality is not only reflected in academic standards and accreditation systems but also in an institution’s ability to strengthen student competencies, expand career opportunities, create value for society, and develop sustainable domestic and international partnerships.

 

Encouraging interaction and sharing practical experience

 

During the afternoon session, delegates joined the World Café Discussion organized around three themes. Instead of one-way presentations, they rotated among groups to share experience from their institutions, analyze common challenges, and propose approaches suited to different contexts. The groups then presented their findings and discussions through a Gallery Walk, creating further opportunities to exchange ideas, challenge assumptions, and learn from one another.

 

This interactive format made specialized topics such as quality assurance, student employability, and sustainable development more accessible and more closely connected to the realities of university management.

 

The World Café Discussion gave participants space to share experiences,

explore practical challenges, and propose suitable solutions

 

Another highlight of the seminar was the participation of Prof. Dr. Philip Pohlenz from Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg. In addition to sharing his expertise, he directly participated in facilitating discussions, contributing international perspectives and experience from the German higher education system. By connecting Vietnamese and international experts, the program created an open forum for universities to reflect on their quality assurance practices, share implemented models, and open up new opportunities for cooperation.

 

Expanding the partnership network for higher education quality

 

For UEF, co-hosting the workshop demonstrated its commitment to connecting with international academic organizations, experts, and universities in Vietnam and abroad to discuss current situations, keep pace with emerging trends, and encourage quality assurance initiatives.

 

Most importantly, the program also enabled the DAAD Alumni, university leaders, and experts from different institutions to establish lasting professional connections. Experience gained through international programs can continue to be shared, adapted, and translated into outcomes that respond to the needs of Vietnamese higher education.

 

The workshop expands connections among UEF, other universities, international experts,

and the DAAD Alumni

 

The spirit of “From Exchange to Impact” therefore extends beyond a single day of presentations and discussions. It lives on through the partnerships strengthened after the event, as universities continue to learn from one another, collaborate, and create sustainable value for education.

 

Center of Communication and Marketing

Photos: HUTECH