National Conference: "Socio-economic development dynamics in the Southeast region: Potentials and challenges"

Implementing Resolution No. 24-NQ/TW dated October 7, 2022 of the Politburo on socio-economic development and assurance of national defense and security in the Southeast region to 2030, with a vision to 2045 and Resolution No. 154/NQ-CP dated November 23, 2022 of the Government on the promulgation of the Government's Action Program to implement Resolution No. 24-NQ/TW, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) organized the National Conference on "Socio-economic Development Dynamics in the Southeast region: Potentials and Challenges" on March 10, 2023 with the participation of more than 100 representatives from departments, functions, branches of 6 provinces and cities in the Southeast region, the Board of Directors of universities, interested authors and lecturers.

The Southeast region includes Ho Chi Minh City and 5 neighboring provinces Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Dong Nai, Tay Ninh. This area has a significant strategic position in economy, politics, society, national defense, and security. The Southeast region plays an important role in national and international trade through the region's transport network and seaports. However, the region's transport infrastructure has not been developed synchronously, leading to overloading of the regional and external supply chains, reducing connectivity, increasing the cost of transporting and circulating goods, and affecting businesses. In addition, the region's high urbanization rate, with the majority of migrant workers, is posing many challenges in terms of infrastructure in the context of a lack of public investment capital and difficulties in solving the ground clearance problem.

Although the technological level of localities in the region, innovation activities, and application of science and technology in recent years has been raised, they still cannot meet the development needs and are not commensurate with the national standards and potential and advantages of the region. On the other hand, despite having a strategic geographical position for the country's socio-economic defense, security, and foreign affairs, the region is a potential area for many complex problems related to political security, social order, and security. Although the Southeast region contributes significantly to the development of the country, there are still bottlenecks such as the lack of skilled and highly qualified workers, the lack of regional linkage in production and consumption because the legal framework is not specific, and management according to administrative boundaries causes division of the supply chain...

For that reason, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) organized the national conference "Socio-economic development dynamics in the Southeast region: Potentials and challenges" to create opportunities for researchers and policymakers to exchange, discuss, share research results, propose recommendations to develop policies and strategic solutions to develop the Southeast into a dynamic and sustainable development region, as well as implement Resolution No. 24-NQ/TW of the Politburo on socio-economic development and assurance of national defense and security in the Southeast region to 2030, with a vision to 2045 and Resolution No. 154/NQ-CP of the Government on the promulgation of the Government's Action Plan to implement Resolution No. 24-NQ/TW. The seminar focused on the topics of socio-economic development and assurance of security and defense in the Southeast region.

The workshop was attended by more than 100 delegates who are leaders of departments, agencies, and provinces in the Southeast region, including Ho Chi Minh City and 5 provinces directly under the Central Government: Tay Ninh, Binh Phuoc, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Ba Ria-Vung Tau; Boards of Directors of Universities; Authors and lecturers.

On the UEH side was the attendance of Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong - Chairman of the University Council; Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh - President; Dr. Dinh Cong Khai - Vice President; Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao - Vice President; Board of Directors of UEH member colleges; Heads, Vice Heads of Schools/Training Institutes; together with leaders of units under UEH.

Overview of the conference

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh - President of UEH shared: “The conference is an opportunity for researchers and policymakers to exchange, discuss and share research results, as well as propose recommendations for policy development. Strategic policies and solutions for the Southeast region's development play an important role in linking development with other economic regions: economic, financial, trade, service, education - training, and. developing high-quality human resources, science - technology, innovation, leading digital transformation in the whole country and Southeast Asia."

Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh - President of UEH gave the opening speech

Within the framework of the conference, 3 main presentations were presented, including:

“Southeast Economic Region: Current Status of Development and Suggestions for Sustainable Restructuring” by Prof. Dr. Nguyen Trong Hoai - Editor-in-Chief of JABES Journal, UEH presented;
“Science and Technical Development and Technological Innovation in the Southeast: Current Situation and Solutions” by Teacher of the People.Prof.Dr. Vo Thanh Thu - Lecturer of the School of International Business - Marketing UEH presented;
“Establishment of a Financial Hub - A Realistic Project for Vietnam? by Prof. Dr. Andreas Stoffers, Country Director of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) in Vietnam.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Trong Hoai - Editor-in-Chief of JABES presented his study

Teacher of the People.Prof.Dr. Vo Thanh Thu presented her study

Prof. Dr. Andreas Stoffers, Country Director of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) in Vietnam presented his study

The presentations received the attention and discussion of the participants in the program.

Delegates discussed the papers

Through the conference, UEH also officially launched the Institute for Regional Development Research and Consulting (IRDRC), a unit under UEH, established under the Resolution of the University Council of University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City. The IRDRC Institute conducts applied research and provides consulting services (including policy, strategic, and professional advice), to contribute to (i) helping localities approach new trends in policy design and operation; (ii) helping localities, professional organizations, and businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises increase operational efficiency, improve work efficiency, develop sustainably, and enhance the adaptability of localities and businesses against unpredictable changes in the market economy. With a vision to 2035, to become a research and multi-disciplinary, and multi-field consulting organization operating in Vietnam with a reputation, the Institute for Regional Development Research and Consulting carries out the mission of "Realizing the potential of local functions, professional organizations, and businesses, by helping these entities develop into optimal versions of themselves”.

Launching Institute for Regional Development Research and Consulting

In particular, within the framework of the workshop, UEH officially launched the "UEH Southeast 2030" program - a human resource training program dedicated to 6 provinces in the Southeast region to provide a source of medium and high-quality managers. Based on these 5 pillars, “UEH Southeast 2030” will implement 07 training programs, including a Master of Public Policy; a Master of Public Management; a Master Program in Smart and Innovative Urban Management; a Master Program in Economics and Environmental Management; Technology and Innovation (for undergraduate and short-term programs); Master Program in Technology - Engineering Management; Bachelor's Program in Logistics and Supply Chain Management.

Dr. Dinh Cong Khai - Vice President of UEH introduced the training program for public sector human resources in the Southeast region with a vision to 2030

With a practical meaning and importance, the program "UEH Southeast 2030" will be implemented at UEH under the coordination and direction of the leadership of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, departments, agencies, provinces, and cities in the Southeast region in developing training and fostering, planning and selecting suitable candidates, at the same time, mobilizing the resources of the Government and society to effectively implement training for the sustainable development of the Southeast region in the future.

More photos regarding the conference: