Introduction

In 2024, as the world grapples with the urgent need for climate action, Vietnam is advancing toward its ambitious goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, a commitment made at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26). This national transformation requires a new generation of professionals skilled in the complexities of the green transition. A comprehensive review of the 2024 academic offerings at the University of Da Nang (UD) reveals a proactive and deeply integrated strategy to meet this demand.

Across its key member universities—including the University of Science and Technology (DUT), the University of Education (UED), and the University of Economics (DUE)—UD has systematically embedded the principles of sustainability and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its core curriculum. The evidence points not to a collection of isolated "green" courses, but to a deliberate, institution-wide strategy to address the sustainability challenge from every critical angle: technology, policy, and commerce. UD is cultivating a holistic educational ecosystem designed to produce graduates capable of leading Vietnam's sustainable future.

Foundational Pillars: Dedicated Degrees in Environmental Stewardship

The bedrock of UD's commitment to sustainability is its offering of full degree programs specifically designed to address environmental challenges. These programs provide the foundational expertise required to build a sustainable society from both a technical and a managerial perspective.

At the University of Science and Technology - UD, the technical and engineering powerhouse of UD, students are trained to design and build the infrastructure of a green economy. The faculty offers internationally accredited degrees in Environmental Engineering (Major code: 7520320) and Resource and Environment Management (Major code: 7850101). The curricula emphasize practical, solutions-oriented training in pollution control, waste management, wastewater treatment, and the sustainable exploitation of natural resources.² This ensures graduates are prepared for key technical roles in designing and managing urban and industrial environmental systems.

Source: https://dut.udn.vn/Tuyensinh2024/Gioithieu/id/8964

Complementing this technical focus, the University of Science and Education – UD offers a Bachelor of Science in Resource and Environment Management oriented towards policy, governance, and applied science. The program's objective is to cultivate future managers who can navigate the intricate relationships between environmental conservation, economic activity, and social well-being. The curriculum is intentionally interdisciplinary, integrating natural sciences with economics, environmental law, and public policy to produce graduates who can develop effective management plans, assess environmental impacts, and contribute to sound public policy. Students are also trained in modern tools like GIS and remote sensing for data-driven environmental decision-making.

Source: https://tuyensinh.ued.udn.vn/index.php/2024/04/02/nganh-quan-ly-tai-nguyen-moi-truong/

These programs form a complete, collaborative workforce capable of driving sustainable development projects across Vietnam.

Weaving Sustainability into the Economic and Governance Fabric

Beyond its dedicated environmental degrees, UD integrates sustainability principles into its core business, economics, and governance curricula. This approach ensures that future accountants, managers, and public administrators are equipped to act upon sustainability imperatives.

The most direct evidence of UD's alignment with the global sustainability agenda is found at the University of Economics - UD within the Environmental Accounting (ACC3013) course. The syllabus's first chapter is titled "Overview of Sustainability and Sustainable Development," and section 1.1.2 is explicitly dedicated to The Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. This course immerses students in critical contemporary concepts, including the circular economy, sustainability accounting, and international reporting frameworks like the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB).

This is complemented by the State Management of Resources and Environment (SMT3017) course, which trains future civil servants to implement national green strategy. A core component is Sustainable Development, covering its foundational principles and the legal and economic tools for state-level environmental management. Finally, the Business Ethics (IBS3001) course instills a corporate conscience by dedicating a chapter to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and explicitly addressing Environmental Violations as a key ethical issue.

The following table maps the content of these diverse courses to specific UN Sustainable Development Goals, providing clear proof of UD's comprehensive "Education for SDGs."

Conclusion

The evidence is clear: The University of Da Nang has demonstrated a deep and strategic commitment to Education for the Sustainable Development Goals. This is manifested through its dedicated degree programs, the integration of sustainability into core economic and governance curricula, and a holistic ecosystem that fosters interdisciplinary and globally-informed learning.

By directly incorporating the UN SDGs into its coursework, UD provides students with a globally recognized framework for action. The skilled, multi-disciplinary human capital that UD is producing is essential for achieving Vietnam's 2050 net-zero target and contributing to the global 2030 Agenda. In 2024, the University of Da Nang stands as a leader in sustainability education and a vital national asset in the effort to build a more sustainable future.