Dai Nam University opens new academic year: Don't train students for a world that no longer exists.

What would happen if universities continued to teach in the same old way while artificial intelligence (AI) was changing the world every day? According to Dr. Le Dac Son, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dai Nam University, the biggest risk is not AI replacing humans, but that education continues to train students for "a world that no longer exists." This is also the overarching message of the thematic presentation "Dai Nam University Facing the Shifts of the Times - Strategic Vision and Expectations for the 2026-2027 Academic Year," one of the key contents of the Opening Week of the 2026-2027 Academic Year.

In nearly three hours of sharing, Dr. Le Dac Son not only analyzed the profound changes in AI, digital transformation, and the labor market, but also established the development vision of Dai Nam University for the period 2026-2030: shifting from knowledge transmission to competency development; placing learners at the center; building a model of "Open classrooms - Partnering businesses - Accelerating technology" to train young people with real capabilities and a solid foundation for life.

THE WORLD IS ACCELERATING, STANDING STILL MEANS FALLING BEHIND.

Beginning his talk, Dr. Le Dac Son didn't talk about Dai Nam University but instead started with global trends. According to him, AI, big data, and digital technology are fundamentally changing how people learn, work, and create. The worrying aspect isn't how powerful AI becomes, but rather that the pace of global change is far exceeding many people's ability to adapt.

"It's not that we're changing slowly, but that the world is changing too fast."

When knowledge is no longer scarce and AI can answer almost any question in seconds, competitive advantage no longer lies in knowing more than others. What makes the difference is the ability to ask the right questions, think critically, be creative, collaborate, and create value.

This change is also reshaping the labor market.

"Those who don't learn will be replaced. Those who know how to use AI will replace those who don't."

According to Dr. Le Dac Son, this is not only a warning to workers but also a warning to universities.

"If the world changes but universities don't, then universities will be training students for a world that no longer exists."

That is why Dai Nam University chose to innovate starting from its educational philosophy.

TRAINING COMPETENCIES RATHER THAN JUST TRANSMISSION OF KNOWLEDGE

According to Dr. Le Dac Son, the most important question in education today is no longer "How much do students know?" but "What can students do after graduation?" . This is also the starting point in Dai Nam University's innovation strategy. The university is shifting from a training model focused on knowledge transmission to one that develops comprehensive competencies, considering knowledge as the foundation for shaping students' thinking, character, and ability to act.

Comparing knowledge to the visible part of an iceberg, Dr. Le Dac Son argues that the crucial element determining a person's success lies beneath the surface.

"What determines a student's success is not knowledge, but what lies beneath the surface of the iceberg: competence, character, attitude, values, and adaptability."

Based on this philosophy, Dai Nam University aims to train young people who not only know more but also do better; who not only have degrees but also possess competence; who not only find employment but also create value for society. All training programs are designed according to four orientations: learning to understand the essence, learning to do , learning to collaborate , and learning to create and serve .

The ultimate goal is for every student to graduate with real skills, a good job, and the confidence to adapt to an ever-changing world.

THE TEACHER IS NO LONGER JUST A KNOWLEDGE TRANSMITTER.

Perhaps the most thought-provoking message in the presentation is the changing role of teachers in the AI era. Dr. Le Dac Son poses the question: When AI can answer almost any question, what remains of the teacher?

According to him, the value of a teacher no longer lies in imparting knowledge, but in their ability to develop individuals.

"A teacher's job is not to impart knowledge, but to develop people."

AI can help students learn faster, but it cannot replace the teacher who inspires, nurtures character, ignites aspirations, or accompanies students with understanding, love, and responsibility.

"A teacher doesn't stand above to lecture. A teacher stands beside to accompany."

According to Dr. Le Dac Son, that is the ideal model of a lecturer in the new era: highly skilled in their field, proficient in technology, able to inspire, and using the growth of their students as a measure of their professional value.

THREE PILLARS THAT CREATE "REAL CAPABILITIES - A SOLID LIFE"

According to Dr. Le Dac Son, training competent individuals for a constantly changing world cannot be achieved simply by innovating individual courses or teaching methods. Innovation must be designed as a unified ecosystem, where all elements work together towards the growth of the learner. Based on this thinking, Dai Nam University has identified three strategic pillars for the 2026-2027 academic year: Open classrooms - Partnering businesses - Accelerating technology .

These three pillars do not exist independently but complement each other to form a complete learning journey. The classroom not only imparts knowledge but also opens up thinking, fostering self-learning, critical thinking, creativity, and a desire for development. Businesses partner with the classroom, bringing practical experience through projects, internships, career experiences, and expert participation, helping students bridge the gap between education and the needs of the labor market. Technology accelerates learning, personalizes the process, applies AI in teaching and management, and frees lecturers from repetitive tasks, allowing them to dedicate more time to research, methodological innovation, and student engagement.

According to Dr. Le Dac Son, the ultimate goal of these three pillars is not a university degree, but rather young people with genuine competence, good jobs, adaptability, and a spirit of service to society . This is also the philosophy that Dai Nam University steadfastly pursues: "Genuine competence - A solid life."

ALL DECISIONS ARE FOCUSED ON THE STUDENTS

In his presentation on the development strategy for the period 2026-2030, Dr. Le Dac Son introduced the image of a "compass" as a symbol of Dai Nam University's management philosophy. That compass always points in one direction – the students . According to him, from curriculum development and faculty development to infrastructure investment, AI application, and expanding business partnerships, every decision made by the university must answer one question: What value does this bring to the students?

To realize this vision, Dai Nam University has built a development model based on four synchronously operating "flywheels": teachers inspiring and supporting students; businesses providing a practical environment; AI becoming a tool to support learning and teaching; and the university creating a modern educational ecosystem. When these four "flywheels" move together, students will simultaneously develop in knowledge, skills, thinking, personality, and adaptability.

According to Dr. Le Dac Son, technology does not replace humans, and AI does not replace teachers. What AI can do is help students learn more effectively, while freeing lecturers from repetitive tasks so they have more time for research, innovating methods, inspiring and supporting learners.

INNOVATION BEGINS WITH THE TEACHER

Concluding the presentation, Dr. Le Dac Son sent a message to all faculty, lecturers, and staff of the university, which served as both a reminder and a call to action:

"You are not working for Dai Nam University. You are contributing to building your own future, the future of the students, and the future of the country."

According to him, education doesn't change because of grand slogans, but starts with very small things: a better-prepared lecture, an innovative teaching method, timely encouragement, a teacher listening more to students, or simply learning something new each day. It is these seemingly small changes that will bring about change in a school; and when a school changes, generations of students will change as well.

Concluding his presentation, Dr. Le Dac Son emphasized: "Each lecture today is a brick in building Vietnam's future."

According to him, to build that future, teachers cannot stand still in a world that is changing every day. As students become increasingly dynamic, businesses become more demanding, and technology continues to develop, teachers have only one choice: to constantly learn and innovate . This is not only the opening message for the 2026-2027 academic year of Dai Nam University, but also the commitment of a school that chooses innovation starting from its teachers, puts learners at the center, and steadfastly pursues the goal of training truly capable citizens with strong character and a desire to serve the country .