AIT School of Management Showcases Innovation and Digital Transformation to Vietnamese Delegation

By: Dr. Nabeel Bokhari

The School of Management (SOM) at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) welcomed a delegation from the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Vietnam as part of the Innovation Immersion Program 2026. The visit was hosted by the AIT Innovation, Commercialization, and Entrepreneurship Hub (AIEC) and focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, digital transformation, and opportunities for academic collaboration. The program was designed to cultivate global-mindedness, strengthen university-industry partnerships, and expose participants to Thailand’s innovation ecosystem and AIT’s research capabilities.

The delegation comprised 14 participants, including faculty members and program managers from the UEH Institute of Innovation, representatives from UNDP Vietnam, and undergraduate students specializing in finance, financial technology, logistics and supply chain management, international business, financial investment, and technology innovation. The participants visited AIT to gain practical insights into innovation, entrepreneurship, technology commercialization, and future study and research opportunities.

The program at SOM commenced with a thematic session by Prof. Yuosre Badir, Dean of SOM. The session explored how universities can transform research into practical innovations through effective technology adoption, entrepreneurial thinking, and commercialization strategies. Drawing on regional examples, Prof. Badir highlighted the critical role of innovation ecosystems in accelerating economic development and creating sustainable value for society.

The second session was delivered by Dr. Tobias Endress, Faculty Director of the Master of Science in Business Analytics and Digital Transformation (BADT) program. His presentation demonstrated how data-driven decision-making, collaborative innovation, and digital technologies are reshaping financial services and business models. Participants gained valuable insights into emerging trends in AI, digital transformation, and the growing importance of analytics in solving complex business challenges.

The visit concluded with a lively panel discussion and question-and-answer session, where participants explored opportunities related to AI, deep technology, innovation showcases, and postgraduate study and research at AIT. The program ended with a gift exchange and group photograph, symbolizing the shared commitment of AIT, UEH, and UNDP to strengthening regional collaboration in innovation, entrepreneurship, and higher education.

Through initiatives such as the innovation immersion program, AIT continues to strengthen its position as a regional hub for education, innovation, entrepreneurship, and international academic collaboration, preparing future leaders to address the opportunities and challenges of an increasingly digital and interconnected world.