Thai Nguyen: Nurturing digital citizens from secondary school

In the era of artificial intelligence and digital transformation, a locality's competitiveness is no longer determined solely by infrastructure or investment capital, but increasingly by the quality of its human resources. In Thai Nguyen, that journey is beginning with something simple yet meaningful – robotics classes for lower secondary school students during the summer. More than just a technology experience, these classes represent the province's efforts to nurture the next generation of digital citizens.

This is a robotics class at Quang Trung Secondary School in Phan Dinh Phung Ward. Today's lesson introduces students to programmable electronic devices that can be assembled into robots and controlled to perform specific tasks.

Student Phan Hai Dang from Grade 6A, said: "This is my first time joining a robotics class. I've really enjoyed every lesson so far. Our teacher has shown us how to assemble robot components and connect the circuits. In the future, I hope to become a robotics teacher".

Many lower secondary schools across the province have established STEM laboratories and robotics clubs. Quang Trung Lower Secondary School is among the pioneers in introducing robotics education, and the initial results have been encouraging.

Robotics instructor Nguyen Ngoc Duy shared: "Artificial intelligence and robotics are attracting growing interest from both schools and parents. After discussing the idea with the school, we partnered with a robotics club to organize summer robotics classes. Our goal is to provide students with meaningful summer activities while helping them develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills".

Through these classes, students are also exposed to new learning methods that encourage creativity and innovation. It is one of the ways the education sector in Thai Nguyen is cultivating the digital citizens of tomorrow.

Mrs. Nguyen Hue Oanh, Principal of Quang Trung Secondary School, shared: "In line with Plan No. 63 issued by the Thai Nguyen Department of Education and Training, as well as the digital transformation directives of the People's Committee of Phan Dinh Phung Ward, our school has actively promoted digital transformation, particularly through the development of digital schools, STEM education, and the integration of robotics into the curriculum. These activities help students understand technology, learn how devices operate, and develop logical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. In the future, these competencies will also help them with career orientation and better prepare them for life and society".

Thai Nguyen has set ambitious goals to advance science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. To achieve these goals, the province is investing not only in digital infrastructure and technology parks, but also in developing its future digital workforce. STEM, AI, and robotics activities are being expanded throughout the education system.

The 2026 Thai Nguyen STEM–AI–Robotics Competition alone attracted 40 teams from schools across the province, providing students with opportunities to strengthen their skills in logical thinking, programming, teamwork, and creativity.

Summer robotics classes are therefore much more than extracurricular activities. They are the building blocks for a new generation of digital citizens who will help shape Thai Nguyen's future in the digital age.