INTRODUCTION

Within the framework of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting equitable and inclusive learning opportunities, the UD has implemented a range of open vocational training and management education programs for the public, contributing to expanding learning opportunities, developing professional skills, and supporting career transitions for workers in society.

Organizing vocational training and professional development courses based on societal needs (Ad hoc)

UD encourages its member institutions to proactively design and implement demand-driven courses tailored to the actual needs of learners and the labor market, aiming to meet the requirements for developing a high-quality workforce in the context of international integration.

UD-UFLS launched the “Teacher Training Program for Individuals with Relevant Bachelor’s Degrees seeking to become English teachers” in August 2024. The course equips participants with pedagogical skills and professional English teaching methods for those seeking a career transition into education. This is a short-term, low-cost program designed to be open to all interested individuals, without restricting enrollment to current university students[1].

In addition, a notable example is the activity of the University of Sciences and Education-University of Danang, which regularly organizes professional development courses in pedagogy, professional title certification, educational management, and capacity-building for local teachers. These courses are designed to be open and responsive to the training needs of teachers and educational administrators in the Central and Central Highlands regions, thereby contributing to the improvement of the regional education workforce. In particular, the programs are implemented in a flexible, ad hoc manner, meaning they are organized in response to specific requests from localities, educational institutions, or individuals seeking to enhance their professional competencies. Each course provides a certificate recognized by the Ministry of Education and Training, ensuring legal validity, professional value, and practical applicability. The professional development programs at the University of Sciences and Education- University of Danang serve as a model of linkage between higher education and community development, enabling learners to access knowledge and professional skills even outside the formal academic system, thereby fostering the spirit of lifelong learning and continuing professional education[2].

Training Program for Junior High School Natural Science Teachers (April 2024)

In particular, the UD-School of Medicine and Pharmacy (SMP) has regularly organized and offered Continuing Medical Education (CME) courses granting certificates for specialized medical examination and treatment techniques. These courses provide specialized professional knowledge and practical skills, meeting the demand for upskilling and professional standardization for doctors, nurses and medical staff:

• Dental implantology
• Diagnostic imaging
• Basic and advanced electrocardiography (ECG)
• Gastrointestinal endoscopy nursing; Gastrointestinal endoscopy – diagnosis and treatment
• Basic plastic and aesthetic surgery
• Basic psychiatry
• Application of molecular biology in diagnostic testing

Additionally, there are training courses on: “Theory and method of medical teaching” and “Clinical teaching methodology for practical instructors in health sciences education” for lecturers and healthcare personnel. This not only serves the medical sector but also expands opportunities for fostering teaching skills and scientific research.

These continuous training activities not only directly contribute to improving the quality of healthcare human resources in the Central - Central Highlands region but also demonstrate UD's commitment to providing Lifelong Learning opportunities, supporting the workforce in updating their knowledge and skills, thereby creating positive and sustainable impacts for society.

These efforts clearly demonstrate the positive social impact of the UD, not only in the area of regular academic training but also in supporting the development of the local workforce and enhancing the quality of national education. Demand-driven professional development activities serve as a concrete example of the UD’s commitment to SDG 4.3.3, while also meeting the criteria of the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings for lifelong learning and community-oriented education.

The vocational training and professional development system is implemented on programmed basis

Within the framework of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all-the UD has established and maintained a vocational training and professional development system implemented on a programmed basis, aiming to create a continuing education ecosystem that serves the community, teachers, educational administrators, and employees in the Central and Central Highlands regions.

Vocational training and professional development programs for local school teachers and educational administrators organized by the University of Education in 2024

 Regular professional development programs for teachers and educational  administrators: The University of Sciences and Education-UD (UED) is one of the leading units within the UD’s open education system, organizing annual professional development courses in pedagogy, professional title certification programs, educational management, and capacity-building training for local teachers[3]. These courses are designed in alignment with the professional standards issued by the Ministry of Education and Training, provide certificates with legal recognition, and effectively support the continuous professional development (CPD) of teachers across the region[4].

Announcement on opening a professional development course for teacher title standards at The University of Danang Campus in Kontum in March 2024

In parallel, the University of Danang Campus in Kon Tum also regularly organizes professional development courses and awards professional title certifications for teachers at all levels, including preschool, primary, lower secondary, and upper secondary education. These annual programs contribute to the standardization of the teaching workforce in the Central Highlands and enhance the quality of education in remote and disadvantaged areas[5].

The strategically designed vocational, digital skills, and innovation training programs: The University of Technical Education-University of Danang (UTE) and the Vietnam–Korea University of Information and Communication Technology (VKU) implement training courses on vocational skills, digital transformation, innovation, and technology application in production and management on a scheduled basis for civil servants, enterprise staff, and the wider community.

These scheduled activities underscore the strategic role of the UD in building an open higher education system centered on the community, where lifelong learning is regarded as a driver of social development. The well-structured vocational, skills, and innovation development programs have generated a tangible social impact, enabling thousands of learners each year to enhance their qualifications, expand employment opportunities, and improve professional competencies, while consolidating the UD’s position as a Lifelong Learning Hub for the Central and Central Highlands regions.

This activity demonstrates the UD’s sustainable commitment and long-term strategic orientation towards SDG 4.3.3- Vocational Training Events (Lifelong Learning), in line with the criteria of the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings. Through the regular, continuous, and community-oriented training programs, the UD affirms its pioneering role in developing a high-quality workforce and promoting lifelong learning for a sustainable, innovative, and globally integrated society.

This activity demonstrates the UD’s sustainable commitment and long-term strategic orientation towards SDG 4.3.3-Vocational Training Events (Lifelong Learning), in line with the criteria of the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings. Through the regular, continuous, and community-oriented training programs, the University of Danang affirms its pioneering role in developing a high-quality workforce and promoting lifelong learning for a sustainable, innovative, and globally connected society.

CONCLUSION

UD is not merely adopting Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) as part of its strategic roadmap; it is profoundly integrating it into its core identity and values. The three strategic orientations—enhancing education quality, promoting lifelong learning, and expanding international cooperation—serve as the tangible embodiment of its commitment to "Quality - Creativity - Humanity - Community Service."

As a key regional university of national importance, UD's proactive efforts to build an equitable, high-quality, and open educational ecosystem reaffirm its mission. These endeavors not only enhance its institutional capacity but also solidify UD's position as a pivotal contributor to human development, the promotion of social equity, and Vietnam's successful implementation of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.