Contextualized Digital Competency Framework for Stakeholders in Vietnam’s Private and Non-public Higher Education Institutions

In this study, we outline a contextualized digital competency framework for stakeholders in Vietnamese non-public and private universities to support a smart higher education system. Drawing upon a comprehensive review of international frameworks like DigComp 2.2 and UNESCO ICT-CFT, and empirical data from a survey of 312 stakeholders across five Vietnamese universities, we uncover significant digital competency gaps and technology access gaps. The proposed model recommends core competencies for each group: digital governance and data-driven decision-making for administrators; online teaching and digital content design for faculty; and digital learning and critical thinking for students. Focused training, infrastructure development, and public–private partnerships are emphasized as implementation strategies. We also suggest a range of performance indicators to measure the success of the model. Comallenges such as upfront investment fees and resistance to change are also addressed. Through localization of global standards, this research offers a pragmatic, evidence-based blueprint to guide digital transformation and graduate employability in Vietnam's rapidly evolving digital economy. The long-term impact and adaptability of this blueprint ought to be evaluated by future studies.