Knowledge and technology are the core foundation
On April 12, Foreign Trade University organized the Postgraduate Connection and Training Consulting Forum - Journey to Summits 2026 with the theme "Mastering the Digital Age for Sustainable Development".
Sharing at the program, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tang Van Nghia - Head of the Postgraduate Department, Foreign Trade University said that currently, digital transformation is no longer an option, but has become an inevitable requirement.
In that digital age, in order not to be left behind, each individual is forced to constantly improve their level, master knowledge and technology.
That development needs to aim for sustainability - meaning not only quickly adapting, making strong breakthroughs, but also creating long-term values for one's own career and making positive contributions to society" - Mr. Nghia said.
From a business perspective, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Linh - General Director of Maritime Commercial Joint Stock Bank (MSB) said that businesses and organizations all want a team of personnel with business and technology capabilities.
To have such human resources, Mr. Linh raised the issue that educational institutions need to build a digital cultural platform, build data structures, and technology platforms to meet the training model. After that, the output product is new people who meet the requirements of businesses.
From practical experience, Mr. Linh said that when working in a digital transformation environment, AI, workers must have knowledge of business and technology.
Sharing about the human resource needs of the banking, finance, and securities sectors, Mr. Linh said that students and research students, when they graduate and have the above-mentioned capacity, will have a good income in the labor market.
If in a mid-level position, with the above capabilities, currently, for private business sectors, the starting salary is over 150 million VND/month - this is the starting salary level" - Mr. Linh said.
The answer to the "AI replaces humans" problem
AI is rapidly changing the labor market, putting many industries at risk of being replaced. The question is, will humans be eliminated, completely replaced by AI or not?
Answering this question, Mr. Pham Hong Quat - Director of the National Institute of Innovation affirmed that AI cannot replace humans, especially in innovation.
AI will be a resource to create many new values and career opportunities" - Mr. Quat said and said that, along with opportunities, there is a challenge posed to the current labor force to be proficient in expertise, while learning and mastering technology.
Discussing this content together, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thu Huong - Rector of Foreign Trade University raised the question: Will we face AI, consider it a tool, partner, or competitor?
Approaching from an educational perspective, Ms. Huong believes that AI should not be seen as an opponent but as a tool, even at a higher level as a partner.
With postgraduate training, it is necessary to be "deeper" to master, "faster" to use AI as a support tool. When accompanying long enough, AI will become a powerful partner for each individual. I always emphasize the two words "mastery" in all contexts and situations" - Ms. Huong said.
Emphasizing the core values of diversity and harmony, accepting new things, being ready to adapt and harmonize, Ms. Huong said that Foreign Trade University has comprehensively transformed digitally, from programs, models, methods, postgraduate training management,...
For existing majors, the school introduces technology modules. Teachers have the task of leading and guiding the use of technology in those modules. For new majors, most are interdisciplinary between business and technology. This is to equip students with the necessary skills in the face of new requirements of the labor market.
