Building a foundation for digital age citizens

With the goal of forming digital citizens right from school, Da Nang is gradually implementing the construction of a digital competency framework for citizens right in schools.

University students participate in the Information Security Talent Search contest held at the Vietnam - Korea University of Information and Communications Technology (University of Danang ). Photo: THU HA

Secondary and higher education institutions in the city have begun integrating digital skills into their curricula, gradually equipping students with the capacity to adapt to digital transformation.

Shaping future digital citizens

On October 18, 2024, the City People's Committee issued Decision No. 2242/QD-UBND on the digital competency framework for citizens in Da Nang City. Accordingly, the digital competency framework for citizens in the city includes 5 areas: Information and data; communication and collaboration; digital content creation; protection and safety; digital environment.

Da Nang is also the first locality in the country to issue a digital competency framework for citizens, contributing to the formation of “digital citizens” who can adapt to digital transformation. Education plays a fundamental role in this. General education institutions and universities in the city have begun to integrate digital skills into their training programs, so that students can gradually adapt to the digital environment in the future.

At Nguyen Hue Secondary School (Hai Chau Ward), Principal Vo Thanh Phuoc said that the school is interested in and implementing digital capacity for students early to develop 5 main components: using and managing information technology and communication means; behaving appropriately in the digital environment; solving problems with the support of technology; applying information technology in learning and self-study; collaborating in the digital environment through content topics. In addition, the school equips students with digital skills, including providing knowledge, facilities and creating an environment for practicing and developing skills.

Lecturers from the University of Education - Danang University (front row, right) in a training program on technology and artificial intelligence for lecturers at the school. Photo: THU HA

Last school year, Nguyen Hue Secondary School introduced digital skills into teaching through 4 forms: Teaching Information Technology in the 2018 general education program; integrating digital citizenship skills education in teaching subjects and educational activities; teaching and learning to enhance digital citizenship skills education; organizing digital citizenship skills education clubs.

In addition, the school coordinates to organize thematic activities so that students are equipped with civilized rules of conduct in cyberspace; are provided with knowledge about the benefits and security threats in the virtual world . Thereby equipping students with skills to use social networks safely and effectively and skills to respond and handle situations encountered such as online bullying, mental violence or bad social evils...

According to Dr. Tran The Son, Vice Principal of the Vietnam - Korea University of Information Technology and Communications (University of Danang), building and training safe digital citizens who are aware of protecting personal data is an important link in the overall solutions for network safety and security.

Training for safe digital citizens should be included in the general education curriculum to raise awareness and equip citizens with skills from the time they are still in school. In addition, there are training programs at different levels for different classes of people, which can be done through training courses to raise awareness and skills on information security on the internet.

Switch from warning to skill equipment

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Gia Nhu, Principal of the School of Engineering Technology (Duy Tan University), said that humans are the weakest link in the security chain but have the potential to become the strongest line of defense, the most intelligent and flexible threat detection system. The importance of building safe digital citizens lies in the transition from passive awareness to proactive capacity. The most prominent point of Da Nang is that the leader pioneered the issuance of the "Digital Capacity Framework for Citizens", thereby shifting the focus from "warning" people to equipping and measuring their capacity.

Teachers of Chi Lang Primary School (An Hai Ward) in a training course on the application of information technology and artificial intelligence in teaching and learning. Photo: THU HA

Based on the solid foundation of the digital competency framework, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Gia Nhu suggested that the city can deploy specific and synchronous solutions to build a generation of truly safe digital citizens. That is, deeply integrate into the general education system. The content of the Law on Cyber ​​Security should be included in the National Defense and Security Education subject in high schools. The Department of Education and Training should play a leading role in integrating these programs into the official curriculum, ensuring that all students are equipped with basic knowledge.

Along with that, there is a suitable information security skills training program for adults, it is possible to develop free online courses, mobile applications on the DaNang Smart City platform. At the same time, create a reliable, simple reporting channel and turn each citizen into a "sensor" for the city's security network.

According to the representative of the Department of Education and Training, based on Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo on building and developing Da Nang city to 2030, with a vision to 2045, the city will deploy breakthrough solutions, applying modern technology to management and teaching. Build a Big Data database on education, synchronize electronic transcripts, student and teacher digital records; develop an open digital learning ecosystem, shared by all schools, encourage teachers and students to participate in creating digital content, and form a learning culture on a digital platform.

At the same time, pilot digital school models at all levels of education will be deployed, gradually popularizing smart classrooms with interactive boards, 3D simulation systems, and augmented reality technology (AR/VR), thereby creating an intuitive and vivid digital environment for students to practice digital skills in accordance with the orientation of the competency framework.

The goal by 2030 is for all high schools to apply digital technology in management and teaching; at least 50% of lectures will be digitalized, and 70% of students will have the opportunity to access international quality online courses.

These steps not only ensure effective implementation of the digital competency framework for citizens but also contribute to making Da Nang a center of educational innovation, a pioneer in building a digital society and comprehensive digital citizens.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/xay-nen-cho-cong-dan-thoi-dai-so-3303428.html