Connecting knowledge - Leading development in the digital transformation era

On October 7, Foreign Trade University successfully organized an international conference with the theme “International Mobility on Economic Development in an Era of Uncertainty and Digital Transformation”. This is one of four scientific events and international forums organized to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the University’s founding (October 15, 1960 - October 15, 2025). The Faculty of International Economics is the professional unit organizing the conference.

Knowledge forum in turbulent times

The international conference “International Mobility on Economic Development in an Era of Uncertainty and Digital Transformation” was held with a plenary session including 3 presentations from prestigious speakers, 7 parallel sessions with 26 quality presentations and 1 poster session, with 24 entries from students, postgraduates, and graduate students of the Faculty of International Economics as well as the Foreign Trade University.

Delegates attending the workshop.

The main speakers of the conference are prestigious scientists , including: Professor, Dr. Flora Bellone from the University of Côte D'Azur (France); Associate Professor, Dr. Le Quang Thanh from the University of Wollongong (Australia) and Dr. Vu Thi Phuong Mai from the Faculty of International Economics, Foreign Trade University (Vietnam).

The workshop attracted the attention and participation of scientists inside and outside the school, as well as representatives of businesses interested in the field of digital transformation and digital economy.

On the side of the guests outside the school, there were Associate Professor, Dr. Do Tat Cuong - Deputy Director of the Department of Science Management, Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics ; Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Vu Hung - Editor-in-Chief of JED magazine, Institute of International Trade and Economics, National Economics University; Dr. Bui Quang Hung - Director of the Institute of Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development (VNU-AI4SD) - Vietnam National University, Hanoi; Mr. Vu Tuan Anh - Deputy Head of the Investment Promotion Department, VNU; Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Viet Khoi - Vice Principal of the School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts, VNU; Associate Professor, Dr. Dang Thi Huyen Anh, Head of the Faculty of Economics, Banking Academy; Associate Professor, Dr. Bach Ngoc Thang - Deputy Director, Institute of Sustainable Development, National Economics University; Mr. Le Nguyen Truong Giang - Director of the Institute of Digital Transformation Strategy; Dr. Le Linh Luong - Deputy Director of ABAII Academy and Chief Representative of the Vietnam Blockchain and Digital Asset Association in Hanoi; Mr. Ho Anh Thang - Solution Director of TNTech Joint Stock Company; Mr. Hoang Dinh Nam - Director of NRS Raiza Logistics Vietnam Company; Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong - Executive Director of Tri Cuong Education Investment and Consulting Company Limited.

On behalf of Foreign Trade University, there were Associate Professor Dr. Dao Ngoc Tien - Vice Rector of the University, Associate Professor Dr. Vu Hoang Nam - Head of Science Management Department; MSc. Nguyen Huyen Minh - Head of Communication and External Relations Department.

On the side of the Faculty of International Economics - the professional unit in charge of the Conference, there were Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Xuan Binh - Head of the Faculty, Dr. Luong Thi Ngoc Oanh - Deputy Head of the Faculty, along with lecturers, researchers, graduate students, students and some press agencies.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Ngoc Tien, Vice Rector of Foreign Trade University.

At the beginning of the program, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Ngoc Tien - Vice Rector of Foreign Trade University, delivered an opening speech, emphasizing that the world is currently undergoing profound and unprecedented changes. At the same time, digitalization and artificial intelligence are also changing the way people, businesses and governments connect, create value and cooperate globally. Besides great opportunities for comprehensive connection and development, the context of international migration in the era of uncertainty and digital transformation will also pose numerous challenges regarding inequality, governance and sustainability.

Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Ngoc Tien also shared: “This international conference is of special importance, not only creating a forum for scholars to meet and exchange but also demonstrating the academic responsibility as well as the commitment of Foreign Trade University in contributing knowledge and solutions to the challenges of the global future”.

In the plenary session on the morning of October 7, Prof. Dr. Flora Bellone - Université Côte d'Azur, France presented the first paper with the topic "Import-led-Growth Strategies under Trade Uncertainty".

Prof. Dr. Flora Bellone - Université Côte d'Azur, France, presented a paper.

In her presentation, Prof. Dr. Flora Bellone gave an in-depth discussion on import-based growth strategies from a historical perspective. At the same time, she also analyzed how growth strategies need to adapt flexibly in the context of constantly changing factors.

The second paper “Human Capital and North–South Academic R&D Spillovers” by Associate Professor Dr. Le Quang Thanh from the University of Wollongong (Australia) emphasized the important role of universities in contributing to the national innovation capacity. He said that universities will be the incubator for new generations of applied research, scientific breakthroughs and a continuous flow of new products.

Associate Professor, Dr. Le Quang Thanh - University of Wollongong (Australia).

His paper offers a new perspective on the potential for “reverse brain drain” in countries sending students abroad, from the perspective of knowledge spillover effects. The social relationships that international students maintain with their home country will create an important network for knowledge spillover, even if they choose not to return home after graduation.

The third presentation by Dr. Vu Thi Phuong Mai - Foreign Trade University with the topic "Unraveling the triad of national innovation capability, firm innovation and firm export performance: The case of an emerging country".

Dr. Vu Thi Phuong Mai - Foreign Trade University.

Dr. Vu Thi Phuong Mai emphasized: Global competitiveness today depends closely on the interaction between national innovation capacity, enterprise-level innovation, and export efficiency.

In the context of rapid technological change and cross-border knowledge diffusion, innovation has become a key factor determining the position of each country. However, emerging economies are facing many challenges of limited resources, weak institutions and pressure to integrate into global value chains. Therefore, strengthening the innovation system is an urgent task to maintain sustainable growth and competitiveness in the long term.

Also in the Plenary Session, Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Xuan Binh - Head of the Faculty of International Economics chaired the plenary session of Professor Dr. Flora Bellone, Dr. Luong Thi Ngoc Oanh - Deputy Head of the Faculty of International Economics chaired the plenary session of Associate Professor Dr. Le Quang Thanh and Dr. Vu Thi Phuong Mai.

Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Xuan Binh - Head of the Faculty of International Economics and Dr. Luong Thi Ngoc Oanh - Deputy Head of the Faculty of International Economics.

The plenary sessions attracted active participation from lecturers, graduate students and students of the Faculty of International Economics with many questions and profound practical and academic exchanges for the three speakers. The frank and multi-dimensional responses and sharing from the speakers contributed to clarifying the issues presented as well as fully answering the questions of the listeners.

Spreading the spirit of innovation and academic collaboration

In the afternoon of the same day, a parallel session with 26 presentations and a poster session dedicated to student scientific research with 24 presentations took place enthusiastically, attracting the attention of attendees. At the end of the conference, the Organizing Committee honored 3 “Best Research Papers” and 05 “Most Impressive Posters” – recognizing the serious research efforts and creative, professional expressions of the research groups attending the Conference.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Ngoc Tien - Vice President of Foreign Trade University sent the chair of the plenary session and parallel sessions souvenir gifts from the University.

Associate Professor Dr. Dao Ngoc Tien - Vice President of Foreign Trade University sent the speakers souvenir gifts from the University.

The international conference “International Mobility on Economic Development in an Era of Uncertainty and Digital Transformation” concluded in an open and inspiring atmosphere. This was not only an academic event, but also a forum connecting lecturers, students, postgraduates and experts.

The event opens up cooperation opportunities to create new values, contributing positively to economic development in the current period of uncertainty and digital transformation.

Thus, the spirit of integration, innovative thinking and academic commitment that Foreign Trade University has cultivated through this Conference is a solid foundation to help the University continue to affirm its pioneering position, a place to connect knowledge, nurture creativity and lead development in the digital age.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/giao-duc/ket-noi-tri-thuc-dan-loi-phat-trien-trong-ky-nguyen-chuyen-doi-so-20251008172108669.htm