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Establishment of Central Vietnam - Central Highlands University Network

The major universities of Central Vietnam and the Central Highlands came together on July 24, 2025, at Duy Tan University to sign an agreement establishing the Central Vietnam–Central Highlands University Network.

University leaders signed an agreement to establish the Central Vietnam - Central Highlands University Network. Photo: DTU

This marks an important milestone that will open a new phase of development in regional connectivity, create strong momentum for breakthroughs in science & technology, and improve the overall quality of education, all to meet the demands of the digital era. It also affirms how Vietnamese universities are determined to integrate deeply into the global education system.

Participating universities are Hue University, Duy Tan University, Vinh University, Quy Nhon University, Dalat University, Nha Trang University, Danang Sport University, Pham Van Dong University, Vinh University of Technology Education, and Vinh Medical University.

Hero of Labor and Distinguished Teacher Le Cong Co, DTU President, speaking at the signing ceremony. Photo: DTU

Sharing resources

“Universities play a key role in scientific research, technology transfer, and training high-quality human resources to meet the strong development demands in various fields - and especially in digital technology and artificial intelligence,” Hero of Labor and Meritorious Teacher Le Cong Co, Chairman of the DTU Board of Trustees, stated at the signing ceremony.

“Having many goals in common, university leaders have gathered here to sign an agreement to create an effective network linking the universities in Central Vietnam and the Central Highlands.

“Through this network, we will share resources, facilities, and expertise, contribute to the creation of a strong knowledge base for the region and the nation, and from there compete with universities across the region and the world.”

With the digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) as core drivers, the universities will work together to build a durable network and share resources.
The vision for 2030 is that Central Vietnam and the Central Highlands are to become a leading center for AI training, research, and application of Vietnam and of the wider region.

DTU Provost Dr Le Nguyen Bao spoke on the digital transformation in education. Photo: DTU

Four main pillars

The strategic cooperation agreement of the network is based on four main pillars:

- comprehensive innovation in university education towards application of AI: integrating AI into curricula, transforming teaching methods, developing AI-competent lecturers, reforming assessment and evaluation;

- breakthroughs in science, technology, and digital transformation: establishing the Central Vietnam–Central Highlands University Network, proposing a regional AI Hub, promoting interdisciplinary and applied research, technology transfer and commercializing research outputs;

- encouraging and developing the private AI economy: connecting universities, enterprises, and government, developing the Real Jobs job-exchange platform, training on demand, AI startup incubators, incentives to attract AI enterprises;

- international AI integration: actively participating in international organizations (AUN, Passage to ASEAN (P2A)), organizing international conferences on AI; positioning the region as an AI hub.

Staff and lecturers from the universities in Central Vietnam

and the Central Highlands with corporate guests. Photo: DTU

Earlier, on June 7, 2025, universities in the region held a seminar and drafted a joint declaration, agreeing to establish a sustainable network and work towards the establishment of a regional university education center for Central Vietnam and the Central Highlands.

Over the years, the universities in the network have been working closely together, sharing resources and expertise, and jointly developing programs and research projects to build collective strength.
DTU and Vinh University have supported each other with both domestic and international accreditation and ranking.

Vinh University delegation during a work visit to DTU. Photo: DTU

DTU and Dalat University jointly organized the exhibition “Colorful Diversity of Vietnamese Insects” from June 20 to July 13, 2025, at the Danang Museum. Featuring more than 100 specimen boxes of Vietnamese insects, the exhibition offered a rare opportunity for the public to explore the incredible diversity of Vietnam’s insect world. It also served as a bridge between science and community and raised awareness about nature conservation, the environment, and biodiversity.