Nguyen Tat Thanh University Actively Participates in the ACCEES Project, Preparing for Its Official Launch

NTTU – Nguyen Tat Thanh University is actively participating in the ACCESS Project (Advancing the Development of the Digital Technology Ecosystem in Higher Education in Vietnam), an initiative launched by the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) and funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ Programme. The project aims to develop a digital technology ecosystem for higher education, contributing to improved teaching quality, research excellence, and digital transformation across higher education institutions in Vietnam. The project is currently finalizing preparatory activities and is expected to officially commence implementation soon.

From Idea to Reality

The idea for the ACCESS Project was initiated by the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) in 2019 but was interrupted due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In September 2023, a co-design workshop for the project, titled DENSAVIE (Developing a Digital Technology Ecosystem to Enhance Innovation Capacity and Lifelong Learning in Vietnam), was held at Can Tho University with the participation of dozens of potential partners, including Nguyen Tat Thanh University.

Following the workshop, the project was officially renamed ACCEES. The project proposal was further refined and submitted to the Erasmus+ Programme in February 2024. In July 2024, the project received a score of 87/100 and was selected for funding, becoming one of 25 approved projects in Asia. It was selected from 151 funded projects out of a total of 972 submitted proposals. This achievement reflects the significant contributions of Nguyen Tat Thanh University and its partners in bringing the project concept to fruition.

The ACCEES Project brings together 14 beneficiary institutions, including 9 Vietnamese higher education institutions, 3 European higher education institutions, the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), and the National Agency for Science and Technology Information (NASATI), along with 12 associated partners comprising businesses and socio-economic organizations.

Objectives and Strategy of the Project

The primary objective of ACCEES is to promote the development of the digital technology ecosystem in higher education in Vietnam, thereby enhancing teaching and learning capacities while preparing students to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.

The ACCESS project has established five specific objectives:

SO1: To consolidate initiatives that strengthen the digital technology ecosystem and improve the digital strategy for higher education in Vietnam. The objective is to develop a digital transformation reference framework suited to the Vietnamese higher education context, while expanding the eduroam network across Vietnamese universities to connect them with educational institutions worldwide.

SO2: To establish a platform for sharing digital resources and create learning spaces that foster innovation. The project will develop an open educational resources platform shared among universities, together with model digital learning spaces adapted to the educational contexts of Vietnam and Asia.

SO3: To develop an integrated management system for staff training programmes on the use of digital technologies in higher education. The objective is to establish a catalogue of digital competency training programmes and develop a national network of educational technology experts in Vietnam.

SO4: To develop a digital competency reference framework for students, together with supporting training services. The project aims to develop digital competency training programmes and introduce the Pix digital competency certification for university students in Vietnam.

SO5: To strengthen the participation of socio-economic organizations and individuals in improving the legal framework and equipping students with professional competencies. The project seeks to reinforce the legal framework supporting digital transformation in higher education while strengthening cooperation between businesses and educational institutions.

Preparing for the Official Launch

After a thorough preparation process, the ACCEES project is set to officially launch. At Nguyen Tat Thanh University, the project is coordinated by the Department of Quality Assurance in collaboration with relevant units, together with key partners including Can Tho University, NASATI, AUF, the University of Strasbourg (France), the University of Mons (Belgium), the University of Patras (Greece), and many other partners, as they prepare for the project’s initial implementation activities.

Looking Towards the Future

Participation in the ACCEES project reaffirms Nguyen Tat Thanh University’s commitment to promoting digital transformation, expanding international cooperation, and enhancing the quality of higher education. At the same time, the project creates opportunities for the University to strengthen connections with domestic and international partners, gain access to advanced educational models, and develop initiatives that contribute to building a digital higher education ecosystem in Vietnam.

For more information about the ACCEES project and its related activities, please visit https://ntt.edu.vn/. The project’s official website is currently under development and will be launched soon to provide comprehensive information throughout the implementation of the project.

Department of Quality Assurance