Contributing to the Advancement of Education in Rural Vietnam Through AI and STEM

Hanoi - July 8, 2025 - The Faculty of Education (FED) at Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST), in partnership with IPDA Vietnam, hosted an inspiring discussion focused on bringing STEM and Artificial Intelligence (AI) education to teachers in Vietnam’s remote and underserved areas. The session featured a conversation between Dr. Derek Boyle (IPDA, England) and Assoc. Prof. Le Hieu Hoc, Dean of FED.

With over 20 years of experience as a lecturer in management, Dr. Hoc has held multiple leadership positions, including Vice Dean of the School of Economics and Management, Vice President of a private university, and currently the Dean of FED. He also has a strong background in public relations and brand management within higher education. Assoc. Prof. Hoc offered his reflections and vision for embracing educational technologies and fostering professional growth. He spoke passionately about the importance of culture and governance in higher education, and how technologies like AI are not just tools—but catalysts for reimagining how we teach and learn. He stressed that true innovation in education goes beyond adopting modern tools like AI, gamification, or blended learning—it calls for a shift in teaching culture and mindset.

At the heart of the conversation was an inspiring story of transformation: Since 2022, FED faculty have launched a series of impactful programs to boost the skills of rural educators in provinces like Yên Bái, Lai Châu, Quảng Bình, and Thanh Hóa. These initiatives have already trained over 1,000 teachers through hand-on workshops, AI-powered lesson design and localized STEM kits across all 4 provinces.

One standout feature of the programs is the active involvement of HUST students as teaching assistants.This isn't just great for their practical teaching experience; it also gives them a real understanding of the challenges and rewards of rural education.

“It’s not just about transferring knowledge”, Assoc. Prof. Hoc shared, “It’s about giving teachers the belief, the tools, and the sense of belonging they need to become change-makers in their local schools”.

The dialogue also spotlighted the importance of inclusive education, equal access to digital tools, and sustained investment in teacher development.

As Vietnam moves forward in its digital transformation journey, collaborations like this show how universities can become active and trusted partners in fostering meaningful educational change at the grassroots level.