On 22 August 2026, the Opening Ceremony of BK Fintech Cyber Clinic K03 was held at The University of Danang – University of Science and Technology, officially marking the beginning of the training programme for the third cohort in Da Nang.

The programme is implemented by the Institute for Digital Technology and Economy – Hanoi University of Science and Technology, with the participation of higher education institutions, specialists and partner organisations. In addition to providing professional knowledge, the programme aims to create opportunities for students to engage with real-world situations, develop skills for working with businesses and gradually participate in supporting organisations in addressing cybersecurity-related challenges.

Bringing students closer to real-world business challenges

Speaking at the Opening Ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Xuan Hoa, Deputy Director of the Institute for Digital Technology and Economy, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, stated that the Human Resource Incubation Project for Cybersecurity in the Digital Economy was approved by the Ministry of Education and Training and officially commenced on 16 April 2026.

According to Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Thi Xuan Hoa, the project is being implemented at a time when cybersecurity and data protection are receiving increasing attention, alongside the development and implementation of regulations concerning cybersecurity, personal data protection and the digital technology industry. Meanwhile, online fraud, cyberattacks and other digital risks continue to affect both individuals and businesses.

Against this background, BK Fintech Cyber Clinic is designed to go beyond classroom-based training. The programme places particular emphasis on incubating human resources capable of contributing to practical cybersecurity support for businesses.

“Students and lecturers can become an extension of cybersecurity experts. The number of experts is limited, and they cannot directly provide support to a large number of businesses,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Xuan Hoa said.

Under the programme’s orientation, students progress through a pathway from learning and practice to engagement with practical situations and projects. Through this process, participants can gradually strengthen their professional knowledge, working skills and ability to apply cybersecurity knowledge within specific business contexts.

The programme also broadens participation beyond students specialising in information technology or cybersecurity. Students from economics, data analytics and other related disciplines may also take part through an appropriate selection process.

Among the groups that the programme seeks to support are small and micro enterprises, which often have limited resources to establish dedicated cybersecurity teams. Developing a network of trained students and lecturers may therefore provide an additional channel through which cybersecurity knowledge and support can reach these businesses.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Xuan Hoa expressed her expectation that students would not only acquire knowledge but also gain opportunities for internships, participation in real projects and practical experience that could prepare them to provide support to businesses after completing the programme.

“We hope this journey will go beyond learning and provide students with opportunities to undertake internships and experience real projects, so that when they work with businesses, they will have the confidence to provide meaningful support.”

Expanding the learning and practice environment in Da Nang

Representing the host institution, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Huynh Phuong Nam, Vice Rector of The University of Danang – University of Science and Technology, stated that the university decided to participate in the programme to provide students with additional opportunities for practical exposure and stronger connections with businesses.

The year 2026 also marks the first year in which The University of Danang – University of Science and Technology has offered its Cybersecurity in Cyberspace training programme, with an admission benchmark of nearly 25 points. The implementation of BK Fintech Cyber Clinic in Da Nang is expected to provide an additional learning and practice environment for students in this newly introduced programme as well as those from related disciplines.

BK Fintech Cyber Clinic K03 brings together students from The University of Danang – University of Science and Technology, Duy Tan University, The University of Danang – University of Economics, along with several participants joining online from Hanoi. The participation of students from different institutions and academic backgrounds also creates opportunities for interdisciplinary exchange throughout the training programme.

Expanding a training model aligned with cybersecurity needs

At the ceremony, Ms Erin Steinhauer, Country Representative of The Asia Foundation in Vietnam, stated that the Foundation is working with Hanoi University of Science and Technology, BK Fintech and partner organisations to implement Cyber Clinic with the aim of equipping students with the knowledge, skills and tools required to support businesses in responding to cybersecurity risks.

According to The Asia Foundation, a key feature of the programme is its combination of learning and engagement with real-world business challenges. This approach enables students to build their professional foundations while gaining a better understanding of working environments and practical requirements in cybersecurity.

The Asia Foundation also expressed its expectation that the Cyber Clinic model could continue to expand to other localities, thereby broadening access to training and contributing to the development of cybersecurity human resources.

Engaging with practical challenges from the first day

From the opening day, K03 participants were introduced to content directly related to the requirements of working with businesses.

The session “Cybersecurity Risks in the Digital Economy and Skills for Working with Businesses” focused on issues that students need to understand when assessing, communicating with and supporting enterprises in relation to cybersecurity.

This was followed by the talk show “Cybersecurity in the Digital Era”, featuring Mr Ngo Minh Hieu (Hieu PC), who shared practical perspectives on online fraud, cyber risks and cybersecurity challenges in the digital environment.

In the afternoon, participants attended the session “Cybersecurity Trends and Legal Frameworks for SMEs/MSMEs”, delivered by Lawyer Luu Xuan Vinh of Asia Legal. The session complemented the technical component of the programme by providing a legal perspective on issues businesses need to consider in relation to data and cybersecurity.

The integration of professional knowledge, business engagement skills and awareness of relevant legal frameworks from the beginning of the programme provides a foundation for students to gradually participate in practical projects and real-world situations within BK Fintech Cyber Clinic.

The opening of K03 in Da Nang marks another step in the programme’s development while strengthening collaboration among higher education institutions, specialists and partner organisations in training cybersecurity human resources aligned with the needs of the digital economy.