Thai Nguyen University Launches Project on Applying Artificial Intelligence to Support the Development of Mountainous Cooperatives in Lao Cai Province

On January 8th, the Females from Ethnic and Mountainous Areas Research and Development Center (FEMMA) of Thai Nguyen University organized the kick-off workshop for the project entitled “Applying Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Sustainable Production and Market Promotion for Cooperatives in Lao Cai and Cao Bang Provinces” in Lao Cai Province

Photo: Assoc. Prof. Tran Viet Khanh, Former Vice President of Thai Nguyen University, delivers the opening remarks.

Participants in the workshop included representatives of FEMMA leadership, experts from Thai Nguyen University, representatives of the Lao Cai Provincial Farmers’ Association, and representatives of local cooperatives—most of which are managed and operated by ethnic minority women.

The project is funded by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) and aims to enhance digital capacity while promoting the application of artificial intelligence in production, management, and market access for cooperatives in the northern mountainous region. This initiative is a concrete contribution to the national digital transformation agenda, the development of the collective economy, and the promotion of gender equality.

Photo: Dr. Nong Hong Hanh, Acting Deputy Director of FEMMA, shares information about the project.

Speaking at the workshop, representatives of FEMMA and Thai Nguyen University emphasized the role of higher education institutions in transferring knowledge and technology and in accompanying localities in socio-economic development. The application of AI through free, user-friendly, and mobile-compatible tools is expected to help cooperatives improve production efficiency, reduce costs, enhance market connectivity, and strengthen competitiveness in the context of the digital economy.

At the workshop, participants were introduced to an overview of the project’s objectives, contents, and action plan in Lao Cai Province, listened to in-depth presentations by experts on the potential and impact of AI on cooperative development, and engaged in discussions on practical needs, challenges, and expectations of beneficiary units participating in the project.

Photo: Dr. Pham Ngoc Phuong, training expert, presents the training contents and materials.

According to the plan, the project will directly support 50 cooperatives with approximately 100 core members, of whom at least 70% are women, through training courses, on-site consultancy, and the establishment of a networking platform connecting cooperatives applying AI. In addition, approximately 3,000 other cooperative members are expected to benefit indirectly through knowledge-sharing and the replication of the model.

Photo: Participants take a commemorative photo.

The project kick-off workshop marks an important milestone, demonstrating the role and responsibility of Thai Nguyen University in linking education and research activities with local practical needs, while contributing to sustainable development, enhancing economic capacity for ethnic minority women, and supporting mountainous communities in the digital transformation process