INTRODUCTION

Within the framework of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4)-ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all – the University of Danang (UD) has maintained and strongly developed a wide range of open public education activities. These initiatives aim to disseminate knowledge, promote lifelong learning, and strengthen the university’s engagement with the community.

Organize on-campus educational events open to the public

Every year, the UD and its member institutions organize or participate in various educational events that are freely open to the public, focusing on career guidance, student recruitment, and the dissemination of educational and scientific knowledge. These activities not only provide information on learning and career development opportunities but also encourage learners of all ages to access higher education and pursue lifelong learning. In 2024, the UD participated in the 2024 Admission and Career Guidance Program, jointly organized by Tuoi Tre Newspaper, the Ministry of Education and Training, and the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, held in Hue City (January 6, 2024) and Danang City (January 7, 2024)[1]. The event attracted thousands of students, parents, and teachers, creating an open forum for discussions on educational orientation and career pathways.

A series of admission and career guidance activities at high schools in 2024

The UD’s Kon Tum Campus organized the 2024 Admission and Career Guidance Program, open and free of charge to high school students across Kon Tum Province. The program aims to provide students from disadvantaged areas with access to information on academic programs, study skills, and personal development guidance[2].

Free career guidance activities for high school students by the UD-CK

The University of Science and Technology-University of Danang (UD-UTE) has implemented a series of free admission guidance programs for high school students in Da Nang City and Quang Nam Province. These programs aim to help students gain a clearer understanding of academic programs, emerging technological trends, and the skills required in the digital transformation era[3].

Free career guidance activities for high school students in Quang Nam Province

These public educational events are designed to be open, interactive, and community-oriented, encouraging all participants-especially students and their parents to engage with higher education as an integral part of their lifelong learning journey.

This initiative clearly demonstrates the UD’s positive social impact, not only as an educational institution but also as a center for knowledge sharing and sustainable career guidance for young people and the local community. Through such high-impact initiatives, the UD reaffirms its strategic commitment to SDG 4, while fully aligning with the assessment criteria of the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings regarding open education and lifelong learning.

Organize free on-campus educational events open to the public

Within the framework of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4)-ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all, UD not only focuses on formal academic programs but also serves as a knowledge bridge to the community by organizing and sustaining free public educational events. These activities are designed with the spirit of “education accessible to all” expanding learning opportunities, developing skills, and enhancing capacities for students and local residents, particularly in rural, mountainous, and remote areas.

Within the framework of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4)-ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. The UD not only focuses on formal academic programs but also serves as a knowledge bridge to the community by organizing and sustaining free public educational events. These activities are designed with the spirit of inclusive and equitable education, expanding learning opportunities, developing skills, and enhancing capacities for students and local residents, particularly in rural, mountainous, and remote areas.

Volunteer students from the University of Danang (UD) participate in Green Summer programs, providing support in English language instruction, computer literacy, and life skills education for children and members of local communities in rural and remote areas[4].

In addition, the University of Education and the University of Foreign Languages organize free classes and extracurricular activities at primary schools, along with various annual academic and multilingual speech competitions such as the Vietnamese Speech Contest for Foreigners, the English Eloquence Contest, and the Japanese Speech Contest[5]. These activities are held annually and open to the public, reflecting the University of Danang’s commitment to promoting lifelong learning, sharing knowledge, and enhancing the quality of community education, in line with SDG 4.3.2 – Public Events (Lifelong Learning).

Award ceremony of the English, French, Chinese, and Japanese Speech Contest 2024

The success of the Danang Star Awards 2024 Cluster Finals, hosted by UD, not only provided an opportunity to connect, exchange, learn, and contribute to improving teaching quality, learning outcomes, and the application and development of foreign language skills among students, but also clearly demonstrated the proactive and active role of the UD’s Youth Union and Student Association in organizing and coordinating the entire event. Through this initiative, UD has taken a pioneering role alongside students from national and regional universities in implementing the key initiative of “English as a second language in universities”, while also reaffirming the university’s commitment to promoting lifelong learning, expanding access to knowledge, developing foreign language skills, and enhancing international integration capacity for the community, fully in line with SDG 4-Quality Education.

The Luminaries Team, consisting of students from School of Medicine and Pharmacy and University of Economics – UD, won First Prize

Through the organization of free public educational events that connect knowledge with the community, the University of Danang has clearly demonstrated its strategic commitment to SDG 4 and made substantive contributions to building a sustainable learning society. These activities, ranging from volunteer programs, skills classes, and career guidance to open academic competitions, all aim to expand learning opportunities, develop capacities, and enhance the quality of community education. Such efforts not only contribute to the holistic development of individuals but also create a dynamic, humane, and inclusive educational environment, where students learn not only to acquire knowledge but also to share and serve society. Aligned with this mission, the University of Danang continues to affirm its role as a pioneering center of higher education in the Central Highlands and Central Vietnam region.

CONCLUSION

UD is not merely adopting Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) as part of its strategic roadmap; it is profoundly integrating it into its core identity and values. The three strategic orientations—enhancing education quality, promoting lifelong learning, and expanding international cooperation—serve as the tangible embodiment of its commitment to "Quality - Creativity - Humanity - Community Service."

As a key regional university of national importance, UD's proactive efforts to build an equitable, high-quality, and open educational ecosystem reaffirm its mission. These endeavors not only enhance its institutional capacity but also solidify UD's position as a pivotal contributor to human development, the promotion of social equity, and Vietnam's successful implementation of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.