On the morning of August 24, 2026, at Ho Chi Minh University of Banking (HUB), the Information - Library Center successfully organized a School-level Scientific Conference themed “Digital Libraries and Artificial Intelligence: Reshaping the Role of Libraries in Modern Higher Education”, with nearly 100 delegates in attendance.

The Conference served as an academic forum for managers, experts, researchers, lecturers, librarians, and representatives of organizations and technology enterprises to share experiences and discuss the opportunities, challenges, and requirements facing academic libraries amid the rapid development of digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI). Through these discussions, the Conference helped identify directions for enhancing the role of libraries in supporting education, scientific research, and learners in the context of modern higher education.

Representing Ho Chi Minh University of Banking at the Conference were Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duc Trung – Secretary of the Party Committee and President of HUB; representatives of the University’s units; lecturers; and staff members. The Conference was also honored to welcome Ms. Tran Thi Hong Xiem – President of the Southern Academic Libraries Association (VILASAL), together with representatives of university libraries, provincial libraries, partner organizations, authors, and researchers.

(Overview of the Conference)

In his opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duc Trung – Secretary of the Party Committee and President of Ho Chi Minh University of Banking emphasized the significance of digital transformation and artificial intelligence for higher education in general and information and library activities in particular. In a context where technology is profoundly changing the ways in which knowledge is accessed, explored, and used, academic libraries need to proactively innovate their modes of operation, strengthen staff capabilities, and enhance their role in supporting education, scientific research, and learners.

(Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duc Trung – Secretary of the Party Committee and President of HUB delivers the opening remarks)

At the Conference, delegates listened to four presentations addressing the theme from various perspectives, ranging from strategic orientation and digital competency development to academic ethics and the practical application of technology. Mr. Tran Vinh Nguyen – Director of the HUB Information - Library Center presented the paper “An Overview of Digital Libraries and Artificial Intelligence: Reshaping the Role of Libraries in Modern Higher Education”, focusing on the challenges facing academic libraries and outlining the transition from resource management to digital knowledge management, AI competency development, research support, and academic community building.

(Mr. Tran Vinh Nguyen presents his paper)

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Minh Nhat – Vice Dean of the Faculty of Banking, HUB presented the paper “Enhancing Digital Competencies, Training, and Retraining for Librarians and Learners”, emphasizing the key role of human resources and the need to develop a roadmap for regular training and retraining aligned with digital competency standards.

(Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Minh Nhat presents his paper)

Dr. Bui Thu Hang – Director of the Center for Information, Library and Museum, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City presented the paper “The Role of Libraries in Ensuring Digital Ethics, Copyright, and Privacy”, clarifying the responsibility of libraries in providing guidance on the responsible use of AI, protecting personal data, supporting citation practices, and contributing to academic integrity.

(Dr. Bui Thu Hang presents her paper)

Dr. Truong Ba Ha – Director of Pyramid Software and Consulting Company Limited (PSC) presented the paper “From Assistants to Agents: An End-to-End AI Application Architecture for Modern Library Management Systems – Practical Implementation at HUB Library”, introducing approaches to applying AI from assistants to intelligent agents, while emphasizing the need for data standardization, system control, and the continued decision-making role of humans.

(Dr. Truong Ba Ha presents his paper)

The discussion session was lively and was moderated by the Presidium, focusing on such issues as the role of libraries in the AI era, digital competency development, copyright protection, privacy, academic integrity, data standardization, and the selection of appropriate technological solutions. Ms. Tran Thi Hong Xiem – President of the Southern Academic Libraries Association (VILASAL) emphasized the role of libraries in ensuring academic integrity, developing databases, and strengthening digital competencies among library staff. Dr. Dang Dinh Tan – Dean of the Faculty of Accounting and Auditing, HUB acknowledged the positive innovations of HUB Library and proposed the development of a single access point model. Mr. Hoang Ngoc Tuan – Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology Library shared practical outcomes in digital transformation and the application of artificial intelligence in academic libraries.

(Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Hoang Anh – Head of the Fintech Department, Faculty of Banking, HUB, speaks at the Conference)

(Ms. Tran Thi Hong Xiem speaks at the Conference)

(Dr. Dang Dinh Tan speaks at the Conference)

(Mr. Hoang Ngoc Tuan speaks at the Conference)

The School-level Scientific Conference “Digital Libraries and Artificial Intelligence: Reshaping the Role of Libraries in Modern Higher Education” concluded with a range of valuable professional and academic insights, contributing to a platform for connection and scholarly exchange among managers, experts, researchers, the library community, and technology enterprises. At the same time, the Conference reaffirmed the increasingly proactive role of libraries in the digital transformation of higher education.  In the AI era, reshaping libraries does not mean changing their mission, but rather innovating the way that mission is carried out in order to more effectively accompany learners, lecturers, and research activities.

(Some images from the Conference)