Digital transformation (DX) is not merely a technological trend; it has become a key driver in enhancing national competitiveness. In Vietnam, where small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for more than 90% of all businesses, an essential question arises: Who will support SMEs on their digitalization journey?
The answer lies in universities – institutions that both educate human resources and possess strong capacities for research and innovation.
However, in practice, many universities in Vietnam remain “outside” the circle of collaboration with enterprises. This separation has led to a disconnect between training and reality, research that rarely reaches the market, and missed opportunities for innovation. This article analyzes the pivotal role of universities in the digital transformation ecosystem and introduces international cooperation models for reference.
1. Why university–enterprise collaboration is the backbone of the digital transformation ecosystem
If we imagine the DX ecosystem as a “machine,” enterprises are the “operating engine,” while universities act as the “intelligent control unit,” supplying knowledge and human capital. The absence of this connection makes the system operate inefficiently: enterprises lack skilled workers, while universities lack practical outputs.
- Digital workforce: Enterprises need employees equipped with digital skills such as data analytics, cybersecurity, and AI. Without practical-oriented curricula, graduates often lag behind market demands.
- Knowledge application: SMEs often cannot afford research and development, but by “borrowing” the research capacity of universities, they can access innovative solutions more quickly.
- Innovation ecosystem: Collaboration allows students, lecturers, and businesses to co-create, transforming universities into “innovation transfer hubs.”
Example: In the UK, Cardiff and Newcastle Universities collaborated with the Hartree Centre to establish SME Engagement Hubs, enabling small businesses to access AI and supercomputing technologies—resources they could not afford on their own.
2. Common forms of university–enterprise collaboration worldwide
University–enterprise partnerships can be categorized into several levels, extending far beyond traditional student internships to encompass comprehensive collaboration—from research to commercialization.
- Research & Development (R&D) collaboration: Universities and companies jointly conduct projects on AI, Big Data, and IoT. Example: The University of South Australia collaborates with STEM enterprises to develop digitalized industrial solutions.
- Co-designing curricula: Businesses participate in designing professional certificates and practical courses. Example: Coursera, originally from Stanford, has partnered with Google, IBM, and Meta to develop globally recognized professional certificates, reaching over 136 million learners.
- Shared facilities: Universities open laboratories, research centers, and computing systems for enterprise use—maximizing investment efficiency while offering students hands-on experience.
- Startups & digital incubators: Universities and enterprises jointly operate incubators and acceleration programs for startups. Example: Germany’s “Mittelstand 4.0” connects thousands of SMEs with startups to adopt modern working methods such as design thinking and agile.
- Technology transfer & commercialization: Academic research is transformed into real-world products. Example: Utrecht University (Netherlands) collaborates with consulting firms to implement digital governance strategies and improve student experience.
3. Lessons from SME digital support programs
In Vietnam, SMEs often struggle with digital transformation due to a lack of knowledge, talent, and funding. If universities view SMEs as strategic partners, they can become companions helping enterprises overcome these challenges.
International examples:
- IE University (Spain): In partnership with Banco Santander, the university trained 3,000 SMEs across 11 countries in digital skills such as data analytics, digital marketing, e-commerce, and cybersecurity. Upon completion, participants received official certification from the university.
- University of Vaasa (Finland): Implemented an “ecosystem-based digitalization” model, offering consulting, training, internships, and local digital resource connections for SMEs.
- Berlin Center HIIG (Germany): Through the “Mittelstand 4.0” initiative, provided workshops, video tutorials, and practical events for thousands of SMEs, emphasizing collaboration between startups and SMEs and training in agile and design thinking.
- These models demonstrate that universities are not only educators but also direct digital transformation partners for enterprises.University of Vaasa (Finland): Implemented an “ecosystem-based digitalization” model, offering consulting, training, internships, and local digital resource connections for SMEs.
- Berlin Center HIIG (Germany): Through the “Mittelstand 4.0” initiative, provided workshops, video tutorials, and practical events for thousands of SMEs, emphasizing collaboration between startups and SMEs and training in agile and design thinking.
These models demonstrate that universities are not only educators but also direct digital transformation partners for enterprises. The way forward for Vietnamese universities
To avoid being left behind in the digital era, Vietnamese universities must shift their mindset—from merely “training human resources for society” to “partnering with enterprises for sustainable development.”
Recommendations:
- Place SMEs at the center of collaboration: Support not only large corporations but also small and medium enterprises that most need assistance.
- Co-design programs with enterprises: Ensure graduates are job-ready without additional retraining.
- Establish applied research and digital consulting centers: Offer digital transformation services for local businesses, generating new revenue for universities.
- Develop shared incubators and innovation hubs: Encourage collaboration among students, faculty, and enterprises to create solutions and products.
If implemented effectively, Vietnamese universities can not only provide skilled human resources but also become key enablers of sustainable digital transformation—a role already proven successful by many global universities.
© Copyright by KisStartup. Content developed under the IDAP Project – Enhancing the Inclusive Digital Transformation Ecosystem. All rights reserved. Any reproduction, citation, or reuse must credit KisStartup/IDAP.
References
https://www.ie.edu/ie-foundation/news/ie-university-santander-support-sm...
https://www.hartree.stfc.ac.uk/news/2023/05/11/4-5m-digital-transformati...
https://osuva.uwasa.fi/bitstreams/b33ce130-cef2-47b4-9a31-c95bb3677595/d...
https://static.ie.edu/CGC/Meier-Kohne-Wolf-Gerling%20-%20SMEs.pdf
https://ueh.edu.vn/en/news/digital-transformation-strategy-for-small-and...
https://www.rmit.edu.vn/content/dam/rmit/vn/en/assets-for-production/ima...
https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/support-materials/...)
https://smeunited.eu/admin/storage/smeunited/smeunited-digital-brochure.pdf)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0166361520305674)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0024630125000287)
https://en.em-lyon.com.cn/news/view/421)
https://www.science-gate.com/IJAAS/Articles/2024/2024-11-04/1021833ijaas...)
https://www.ecohumanism.co.uk/joe/ecohumanism/article/view/3594)
https://www.ie.edu/our-news/supporting-smes-in-the-digital-transformatio...)
https://www.emerald.com/dts/article/doi/10.1108/DTS-11-2024-0240/1267986...)
https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2021/02/th...)
https://journals.uniurb.it/index.php/piccola/article/view/4532?articlesB...)
https://www.aasmr.org/jsms/Vol14/No.1/Vol.14%20No.1.11.pdf)
https://researchportal.ulisboa.pt/en/publications/smes-and-industry-40-t...)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844023082257)
https://researchoutput.csu.edu.au/en/publications/university-industry-co...)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37867890/)
https://hbsp.harvard.edu/inspiring-minds/a-new-model-for-university-indu...)
https://consensus.app/search/university-industry-collaboration-models/uV...)
https://www.cam.ac.uk/business-and-enterprise/blog/four-secrets-of-a-suc...)
https://www.ewance.com/blog/university-industry-collaboration-unveiling-...)
https://www.ie.edu/ie-foundation/news/ie-university-santander-support-sm...)
https://www.hartree.stfc.ac.uk/news/2023/05/11/4-5m-digital-transformati...)
https://osuva.uwasa.fi/bitstreams/b33ce130-cef2-47b4-9a31-c95bb3677595/d...)
https://static.ie.edu/CGC/Meier-Kohne-Wolf-Gerling%20-%20SMEs.pdf)
https://ueh.edu.vn/en/news/digital-transformation-strategy-for-small-and...)
https://www.rmit.edu.vn/content/dam/rmit/vn/en/assets-for-production/ima...)
https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/support-materials/...)
https://smeunited.eu/admin/storage/smeunited/smeunited-digital-brochure.pdf
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0166361520305674
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0024630125000287
https://en.em-lyon.com.cn/news/view/421
https://www.science-gate.com/IJAAS/Articles/2024/2024-11-04/1021833ijaas...
https://www.ecohumanism.co.uk/joe/ecohumanism/article/view/3594)
https://www.ie.edu/our-news/supporting-smes-in-the-digital-transformatio...)
https://www.emerald.com/dts/article/doi/10.1108/DTS-11-2024-0240/1267986...)
https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2021/02/th...)
https://journals.uniurb.it/index.php/piccola/article/view/4532?articlesB...)
https://www.aasmr.org/jsms/Vol14/No.1/Vol.14%20No.1.11.pdf)
https://researchportal.ulisboa.pt/en/publications/smes-and-industry-40-t...)