The conference was organized by the University of Melbourne, the Hewlett Foundation, the Open University, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the Vietnam Association for Science and Technology Information. What makes the conference meaningful beyond a typical scientific event is the way it poses the issue of Open Education not only as a technical solution, but as a development discourse linked to academic philosophy, pedagogical innovation and shaping the future of universities.
Professor Hoang Anh Tuan - Rector of USSH - emphasized the school's mission of "pioneering in knowledge and social innovation". Photo: Do Minh Ha Tuan
Dr. Truong Ngoc Tuong Vi – Head of GO-GN Pacific Hub Coordination, Lecturer at the University of Melbourne. Photo: Do Minh Ha Tuan
Dr. Tran Van Tung - President of Vietnam Association for Science and Technology Information (VASTI). Photo: Do Minh Ha Tuan
Right from the morning session, the workshop positioned the OER movement as a strategic component of the knowledge ecosystem in the digital age. The updates on OER policy in Vietnam, presented by Associate Professor Dr. Do Van Hung, showed that the national legal system has begun to form initial orientation frameworks; however, at this point, the gap between policy and implementation practice is still significant. Compared with the UNESCO framework guidelines in 2019, the problem lies not only in the synchronization of policy, but also in the ability to translate OER principles into sustainable practice at educational institutions, where lecturers, students and administrators interact daily with learning materials, learning and research. It is the continuous connection between the macro and micro levels that created a consistent analytical thread throughout the entire workshop program.
Associate Professor, Dr. Do Van Hung - Head of the Faculty of Information and Library pointed out that quality is the vital factor of OER. Photo: Do Minh Ha Tuan
The highlight of the in-depth reports was the way the speakers approached OER with a systems mindset. Instead of viewing OER as a collection of documents, many presentations pointed out that the sustainable development of the Open movement depends on digital structures and operating models. Presentations on access platforms, initiatives to build an open learning ecosystem at the School of Tourism - Hue University or blockchain application solutions for open learning management opened up new approaches, where technology not only plays a supporting role but also redesigns the way knowledge is created, verified, shared and reused. This shows that Vietnam is making important changes: gradually shifting from accepting OER to proactively developing indigenous technology solutions to serve domestic needs and international connections.
Scientists speak at the conference
In the field of university pedagogy, the conference devoted a lot of time to discussing the possibility of turning OER into a catalyst for innovation in teaching and learning methods. Sharing from RMIT University, Hue University School of Tourism and domestic universities emphasized that open learning materials can only truly play their role when they are integrated into new pedagogical practices, where lecturers play the role of author - editor - knowledge creator, not only using but also enriching the common knowledge base. In the context of the strong spread of artificial intelligence, some presentations showed that AI can support the process of designing open learning materials, automating technical steps, personalizing learning materials and expanding the creativity of both teachers and learners. However, applying AI to OER also raises new questions about ethics, quality assurance and open licensing mechanisms, factors that require serious research in the coming time.
One of the most in-depth aspects of the workshop took place during the orientation session, where the participating groups conducted a SWOT analysis of the OER movement in Vietnam. The open discussion method, based on academic dialogue and research evidence, allowed for a clear identification of internal strengths such as the growing interest of universities and support from international organizations; while also clarifying the long-standing challenges in infrastructure, academic habits, copyright mechanisms and public awareness. The analysis of risks and opportunities also helped to reshape the strategy: if Vietnam wants to enter the second phase of OER development, moving from “open access” to “open innovation”, the core is to build a strong enough community of practice, connecting research, training, technology, and expanding regional cooperation.
Scientists speak at the conference
In particular, the workshop also aimed at a longer-term vision, when discussing the role of GO-GN Asia-Pacific Hub and the OER community of practice, many opinions emphasized the importance of the international scholar network in raising the standard of OER research in Vietnam. The core issue is to promote quantitative research, impact analysis, readiness measurement and development of an open educational materials quality assessment framework. Regional connectivity not only facilitates experience sharing but also supports research capacity building for young lecturers - a key factor for Vietnam to participate more deeply in the global OER ecosystem.
Overall, the GO-GN Asia Pacific 2025 conference marks an important step forward in Vietnam’s journey to develop Open Education. The event opened a multi-dimensional academic dialogue where policy, technology, pedagogy and legal issues were examined under the same systemic lens. More importantly, the conference contributed to strengthening the role of Vietnam National University, Hanoi and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities as a knowledge center for social sciences and humanities, and a pioneer in creating an open education model based on humanities and digital transformation. As many universities around the world are moving towards the “data liberal university” model - where knowledge is liberated from access barriers and widely disseminated - Vietnam is facing the opportunity to build a unique identity in the OER movement: an identity based on humanistic values, open knowledge and sustainable connections between the domestic academic community and international networks.
With the foundation from this conference, academic activities in preparation for the international conference “Open Futures: Empowering Fair and Inclusive Higher Education in the Asia-Pacific” in 2026 have become even more solid. It is important not only to maintain dialogue, but also to incorporate scientific conclusions from the conference into policy, teaching practice and academic culture of each university. The breakthrough of Open Education in Vietnam, therefore, will not come from a single effort, but from the process of resonance between research, innovation and the maturity of the national OER practice community in the coming years.
