On October 20, 2024, the Grand Finale of SUSTAINABLE SOCIETY CHALLENGE 2024 was organized by International University – Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City in collaboration with the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City, with the participation of 8 teams from Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces and cities across the country.
The competition seeks initiatives to promote innovation around the theme “For a Green, Clean, Beautiful, and Sustainable Community.” Each team is required to research and address one practical environmental issue that the school (where the team is studying) or the community surrounding the school is facing (limited to one district) and propose sustainable solutions to improve the identified issue.
The aim is to create a friendly and beneficial playground, fostering exchange and connections among students from educational institutions, including high school and middle school students. This approach provides students with early exposure to global knowledge, helps develop innovative thinking, and encourages practical application. Simultaneously, students will raise awareness and propose action programs to implement the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations within the local community.
At the Competition’s opening, Dr. Tran Thi Ngoc Diep, Head of Center for Innovation and Technology Transfer (CITT), stated, “Vietnam is on the path to building a sustainable society, harmonizing humans with nature. Today’s competition is a collective effort towards realizing that vision. We aim to nurture and inspire students, the young generation – those who hold the key to the future, to engage in practical initiatives and solutions, creating a better, more sustainable living environment for the community and society.”
With 32 projects from high schools across the country including Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai Province, Kien Giang Province, Dong Thap Province, Khanh Hoa Province, through the Qualifying Round and Preliminary Round, the Organizing Committee selected 08 excellent projects to compete in the Final Round.
To ensure fairness and accurate results for the competition, the Jury of the Final Round includes:
– MSc. Nguyen Tran Phu Thinh – Head of Science, Technology & Information Department – Thu Duc City People’s Committee
– Assoc. Prof. Dr. Huynh Thanh Cong – Deputy Head of Science and Technology Department, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City
– Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Thuy – Deputy Head of Faculty of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, International University – VNU-HCM
– Mr. Nguyen Doan Ly – Specialist of Secondary Education Department, Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City
– Mr. Nguyen Tuan Khoi – Founder – Chairman of The Sharing Group Joint Stock Company
– Mr. Huynh Hanh Phuc – Founder – Director of Green Connect Company, Alumni of International University – VNU-HCM
– Miss Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc – Miss Intercontinental 2022, Gen Zero Program Leader – Youth for Sustainable Development
The Final Round concluded with the Championship title awarded to the Adventure of Planet Keeper Kids from Nguyen Quang Dieu High School for the Gifted in Cao Lanh City, Dong Thap Province, for their project on using leftover food to produce organic fertilizer.
The second prize of the competition went to the Green Pioneers team from Binh Phu High School, District 6, Ho Chi Minh City with the project Building a green future – From classifying school waste, green habits, healthy life.
Third place went to the Empathetic Squad from the High School for the Gifted – Ho Chi Minh City National University with their project Upgrading and Renovating the courtyard using permeable concrete containing crushed shell aggregate.
Ecologic team from Wellspring Saigon Primary – Secondary – High School – Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City with the project Green Station – From disposable to permanent use and LK-14 team from Nguyen Quang Dieu High School for the Gifted – Cao Lanh City, Dong Thap Province with the project Reborn Batteries NQD – Collecting and processing used AA batteries won the Encouragement Prize of the Competition.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Huynh Thanh Cong – Deputy Head of Science & Technology Department, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Thuy – Deputy Head of Faculty of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, International University – VNU-HCM awarded the Encouragement Prize to the Ecologic Team – Wellspring Saigon Primary – Secondary – High School – Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City (left) and the LK-14 Team – Nguyen Quang Dieu High School for the Gifted – Cao Lanh City, Dong Thap Province
The Favorable Recognition Award was granted to Team Duricas for their project on Clay from durian peel, Team Em for their project on Eco-friendly diapers from bananas and coconut fiber, and Team Huong for their project on Safe natural incense sticks from Nguyen Huu Huan High School in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City.
Mr. Nguyen Doan Ly – Specialist of Secondary Education Department, Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City, presented the Favorable Recognition Award (on the left), and Dr. Tran Thi Ngoc Diep, Head of the Center for Innovation and Technology Transfer, awarded the Most Favorite Project Award (on the right) to the Duricas Team from Nguyen Huu Huan High School in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City.
SUSTAINABLE SOCIETY CHALLENGE is organized annually by International University – Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City in collaboration with Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City to seek initiatives that promote innovation and creativity around the theme “For a Green, Clean, Beautiful, and Sustainable Community.”
For more information about the contest, please visit the website: https://ssc.hcmiu.edu.vn/