UEF connects with PUM Netherlands, internationalizing its innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem

Following the established connection with PUM (the Netherlands) from the beginning of 2026, UEF welcomed Dr. Frans Stel, Senior Expert at PUM, to in-person working sessions during the last two weeks of October.

From October 17 to 30, the UEF Center of Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Project Design will cooperate with Dr. Frans Stel to organize a series of events named “Innovation, Coach Training, and Research Collaboration with PUM Senior Expert (The Netherlands).”  This is the next development in the partnership between UEF and PUM, bringing international experience closer to training, research, and entrepreneurship support at the University.

This series aims to refine the innovation support model, enhance coaching competence for faculty members, directly provide consultancy for student projects, and discuss directions for international research cooperation.

UEF and PUM are step-by-step expanding connections in innovation and entrepreneurship 

PUM Netherlands Senior Experts, usually known as PUM Netherlands, is a non-government and non-profit organization established in 1978 by the Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers (VNO-NCW) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. PUM’s objectives are to spread knowledge, promote entrepreneurship, enhance autonomy, and support sustainable development in emerging economies.

From April 2026, through the PUM representative in Vietnam, this organization recommended Dr. Frans Stel to accompany UEF during the remote consultancy. The expert and UEF representatives had an in-person working session on building development and operation strategies and plans for entrepreneurship and innovation support.

Building on that basis, the upcoming two-week working trip is expected to elevate the partnership, particularly as international discussion can address specific needs of the UEF ecosystem. The support from PUM is provided as a non-profit service, demonstrating its goodwill to accompany the University in developing its education and entrepreneurship support model.

During the working trip at UEF, Dr. Frans Stel will participate in the counselling session on strategies for the innovation and entrepreneurship model with the Board of Presidents and the Center of Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Project Design. The series will continue with activities for UEF lecturers, students, and partner businesses, namely the Masterclass “The Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship Trend”; the training session on coaching for entrepreneurial projects; and 1:1 consultancy for student entrepreneurial projects.

Dr. Frans Stel will have in-person working time at UEF from October 17 to 30

PUM's support opened up opportunities for UEF to gradually internationalize faculty competence, develop in-depth entrepreneurship methods, and establish new directions for research collaboration.

The series of events is expected to mark another stage in the development of the partnership between UEF and PUM Netherlands, bringing international expertise closer to practical challenges. It will also create more space for innovation, entrepreneurship, and project design at UEF to develop professionally and practically, as well as to expand global connections.

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