The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Information and Communications and the Francophone University Agency (AUF) organised an international conference on November 4 discussing ways to branch out high-quality labour force for the southern economic hub’s smart urban development.
At the event, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Vo Van Hoan highlighted the socio-economic achievements that the city has carved out over the recent past as well as its goal to transform itself into a modern and smart metropolis by 2030, saying the city is envisaged to become a dynamic hub of finance, commerce, culture, education, and science-technology with deep international integration.
To that end, the city needs a digitally skilled workforce and innovation, the official said, noting HCM City's interest in collaborating with both domestic and international organiastions, especially the AUF, in breakthrough projects in the areas of health care, education, transport, and urban development, among others, so as to create new values for the community.
Director of the department Lam Dinh Thang said that the city has earmarked 1.22% of its budget for digital transformation initiatives, exceeding the national level of 1%, with various policies put in place such as fee waiver and reduction for online public services, along with incentives to attract experts and talents to the sector.
HCM City is aiming for the digital economy to contribute 25% of the gross regional domestic product (GRDP) by 2025 and 40% by 2030, he added, spotlighting several challenges that the city has encountered like a shortage of experts in advanced technologies and the need to enhance digital literacy among civil servants.
Meanwhile, AUF Director-General Slim Khalbous stressed the importance of collaborative efforts by authorities, universities, businesses, and international partners.
International experts recommended the city identify its human resources demand to have rational training programmes, and suggested short-term training for civil servants, residents, and businesses, and long-term training at higher education institutions.
