• 09 Aug 2024
• 2024

Sustainable entrepreneurship for economic development - SEED 2024

Within the cooperation framework between the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) and the University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) provides off-campus cross-cultural experiences and offers new learning opportunities and experiences. UEH is pleased to welcome a delegation of lecturers and students to exchange and implement the “Sustainable Entrepreneurship for Economic Development – SEED” project from July 25, 2024 to August 2, 2024.

Following the success of the SEED 2023, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City and the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland co-organized the Sustainable Entrepreneurship for Economic Development – SEED 2024 with the goal of sustainable development, applying technology to develop agricultural areas with sustainable entrepreneurship and corporate social responsibility in Vinh Long province. The SEED 2024 project created interest and participation from students from College of Business UEH, Ho Chi Minh City Banking University (BUH), University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH-VNUHCM), Foreign Trade University (FTU), Ubon Ratchathani University, Kasetsart University (Thailand), Latrobe University (Australia), Trinity University (USA), and University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (Switzerland).

In preparation for the program, the SEED students were given supplementary information to provide an overview of Vietnam's economic development, covering topics such as economic growth, policies, industry, and difficulties and possibilities. The program's speakers also discussed the current state of social entrepreneurship in Vietnam, which has seen the emergence of many unique social entrepreneurship models, ranging from projects providing education to children in remote areas to initiatives to protect the environment and improve living conditions for disadvantaged groups. Furthermore, the students were taught about business models, tactics, and financial management for the project, all of which play an important role in determining the organization's strategy and long-term success.

Beginning their 5-day excursion in Vinh Long province, SEED 2024 lecturers and students visited, observed, interviewed, and learnt about the area's overall economic development status, particularly agricultural development, traditional food production, local tourism, and so on. The students listened to and asked questions of householders, business owners, and local officials, who answered questions about the current state and difficulties of the agricultural economy, support policies, technology deployment assistance, future development directions for agricultural products or industries, and so on. Students raised awareness of the current situation and difficulties that businesses in the area experience through discussing and answering questions, recognized the importance of agriculture in the economy and people's lives, and recognized significant problems that need to be addressed.

In addition to studying, the SEED 2024 lecturers and students took part in a variety of interesting cultural experiences, like painting acrylic on conical hats, touring the Temple of Literature, experiencing traditional music, and producing banh xeo in Vinh Long province.

Towards the end of the project, student groups will present their ideas and proposed business models with the goal of improving the local business environment while also demonstrating community responsibility, along with comments and assessments from professionals in the field. Experts will assess the project's economic and social impact, taking into account success indicators as well as the real impact on the community and environment. These remarks not only help local businesses enhance their current condition but also provide more experience for students, laying the groundwork for future projects and activities, guaranteeing that sustainable startup efforts can continue to expand and have long-term good consequences.

The SEED 2024 initiative concluded with students learning about social entrepreneurship, social responsibility, and cultural and social values throughout their study in Vinh Long. Not only that, but the program will take the students through moments and emotions associated with the hospitality of the Vietnamese people and country. The obstacles and challenges they faced when they first joined the program are now behind; by overcoming them, the students gained new experiences for themselves. The project expects that these pleasant experiences and feelings will boost students' motivation, help them build their professions, and contribute favorably to long-term economic development and the community. Students can better understand their country by discussing academic and social challenges through collaboration and teamwork. From here, each learner develops more realistic insights on the model of a global citizen.

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New, photos: COB-UEH, Marcom