From May 12 to 15, the 7th APEC Education Ministerial Meeting and a series of side events officially took place at the Jeju International Convention Center (ICC) in South Korea. A delegation from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH) attended the event, bringing practical insights to discussions on global education transformation.
With the overarching theme “Innovating Education and Fostering Global Cooperation in the Age of AI and Digital Transformation,” the conference served as a key platform for dialogue, strategy sharing, and strengthening educational cooperation among the 21 APEC member economies.
HUTECH was honored to take part in the meeting, represented by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Xuan Lam – Vice Chairman of the University Board of Directors, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Phuong – Vice President. The event provided an important opportunity for HUTECH leaders to stay abreast of emerging trends in education, foster academic connections, and expand international cooperation in a time when education is rapidly evolving under the influence of technology and artificial intelligence (AI).
HUTECH’s delegation included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Xuan Lam and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Phuong
Chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education of South Korea, this year’s APEC Education Ministerial Meeting brought together nearly 400 participants, including education ministers, senior officials, university leaders, scholars, and education experts from across the 21 member economies. The conference featured three main sessions: “Innovation,” “Connection,” and “Prosperity.” Each session addressed core challenges and charted new pathways for regional education in the context of comprehensive digital transformation.
The “Innovation” session highlighted the importance of digital transformation, personalized learning, and leveraging new technologies to enhance teaching and learning quality. The “Connection” session focused on expanding international education cooperation and building multi-dimensional networks to increase learning opportunities for students across the APEC region. Meanwhile, the “Prosperity” session emphasized education’s crucial role in promoting inclusive economic and social growth and sustainable development.
At the conference, the ministers adopted a Joint Statement under the theme “Sustainable Labor Markets and Jobs for the Future.” The statement reaffirmed APEC economies’ commitment to modernizing labor systems in response to AI, automation, and new employment models. Notably, it emphasized the development of adaptable skills, the promotion of lifelong learning, and improvements in employment services—particularly for vulnerable groups such as women, youth, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
The conference featured three sessions: Innovation, Connection, and Prosperity
In addition to the main program, several key side events were held, including the APEC University Presidents’ Forum and the Global Education Reform Conference, where South Korea shared its experiences in education reform and outlined its 30-year development vision. Discussions also delved into sustainable education through global cooperation in the AI era. A Digital Education Exhibition was also held, featuring participation from research institutions, universities, and tech companies showcasing future classroom models and digital education achievements.
HUTECH representatives actively contributed to the discussions, sharing Vietnam’s educational progress and highlighting the university’s strategy for integrating AI into teaching, research, and digital transformation. The event also served as a platform for HUTECH to present initiatives in preparation for Vietnam’s APEC Chairmanship in 2027, with a focus on building a flexible, inclusive, and future-ready educational ecosystem.
Participating in APEC 2025 marks a key milestone in HUTECH’s internationalization strategy
During the visit, the HUTECH delegation also toured several high schools in South Korea to explore their organizational models, teaching methods, and how technology is integrated into the curriculum. These visits offered valuable insights to apply in the Vietnamese context.
Attending the 7th APEC Education Ministerial Meeting represents an important step in HUTECH’s strategy to internationalize education. It affirms the university’s proactive role in deeply engaging with the global academic community and contributing to shaping an education system in Vietnam that is well-adapted to the future of artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
News: Bảo Thư
Photo: Department of International Relations and Project Management
Communication Center