Embracing the trend of advancing digital transformation in education, the University of Da Nang (UD) has promoted high-quality online courses. Notably, the University of Foreign Language Studies (UFLS) at UD has pioneered the development of an online A2 English course. This course aims not only to provide optimal foreign language learning experiences for non-language major students but also to facilitate the effective enhancement of their English skills. The initiative is supported by the USAID Partnership for Higher Education Reform (the Project).

On August 22-23, 2024, the Project collaborated with UD to organize a capacity-building workshop on online course development for staff and lecturers while providing direct consultation to UFLS on the development of the online English course. The event saw the attendance of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Quang Son – Vice President of UD, Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai Phuong – Deputy Chief of Party of the Project, experts from the Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) and the Optimal eLearning Solutions company (OES), along with representatives from relevant units and UD lecturers.

In the opening session, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Quang Son emphasized the importance of raising awareness of digital transformation in education. He affirmed that this workshop would help develop online training and distance learning models while opening up many opportunities for UD to adopt modern teaching methods. Dr. Nguyen Thi Mai Phuong also emphasized that building online training courses would significantly contribute to improving the quality of education at UD, a higher education institution that has always been at the forefront of ensuring educational standards.

Following the opening, experts shared practical experiences in online training at UFLS and VNU. Key topics discussed included policies and models for online education (presented by Dr. Nghiem Xuan Huy, Director of the Institute for Education Quality Assurance, VNU), successful implementation of the B1 English course (by Dr. Lam Thi Hoa Binh, Deputy Head of the English Department, VNU), and the process of designing online courses (by Mr. Nguyen Duc Binh, Director of OES). An intensive technical support session on building an online English course also helped to equip UFLS lecturers and staff with the necessary knowledge and tools.

Survey results after the workshop indicated that the program successfully enhanced the awareness and skills of the lecturers, helping them grasp the core elements of online course design. The lecturers highly appreciated the workshop, viewing it as a practical and effective support in promoting the development of digital education at UD.

The onsite training workshop was part of the Project’s continuous technical support via a series of onsite and online coaching sessions between the project experts and UFLS’ lecturers, ensuring a quality online course at UD. With its relentless efforts in digital transformation and the application of technology in teaching, UD will be leading the trend of modern education in Vietnam in the central area of Vietnam. Through high-quality online courses in the near future, UD not only enhances students’ access to knowledge but also expands learning opportunities for the community. International collaborations such as the USAID Partnership for Higher Education Reform project serve as key drivers, enabling UD to continue refining and developing its digital education platform, contributing to the advancement of Vietnam’s education system in the future.