Students with innovative startup ideas

Themed "Creating a Green Future", the "Startup Ideas" Contest organized by Nha Trang University has inspired students’ creativity towards sustainable socio-economic development.

Various initiatives and solutions

The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture is known to cause adverse effects and risks while a large amount of agricultural waste has not been used optimally, for example as a source of organic fertilizers for recycling.

According to Student Nguyen Hoang Cuong, head of the researchers’ group, the process of growing edible mushrooms decomposes the components in the mushroom embryo. The amount of nutrients left in the mushroom embryo is an ideal environment for beneficial and harmful microorganisms.

The first-prize-winning group introduces the project.

The group has researched and developed Trichoderma spp bacterial strains with high anti-fungal ability to produce Trichoderma spp biological products used as fertilizer to enhance the natural fertility of the soil. Trichoderma spp. Is known as biocontrol agents of fungal plant pathogens and recognized as a potential source of bioactive metabolites. Making good use of abundant raw materials discarded from mushroom crops helps reduce production costs by 20 - 30%. The target customers are farmers and agricultural material stores.

Launched in August 2023, the “Start-up Ideas” Contest has drawn 20 projects inside and outside the university showing ideas towards socio-economic development in such fields as industry, manufacturing, agriculture, forestry,  fishery, education, tourism, services, finance, health care, beauty technology and business.

7 excellent projects selected to advance to the final round held at the end of March included 4 projects by students of Nha Trang University and 3 projects from Nguyen Tat Thanh University (Ho Chi Minh City). The competing teams presented their products and answered questions from the jury about the meaning, feasibility and potential of their startup projects.

Nha Trang University signs a cooperation agreement with the Department of Justice.

Inspiring creativity

Held annually since 2015, the "Startup Ideas" Contest expanded eligibility to participants outside Nha Trang University for the first time in 2023, contributing to the implementation of the Government's Project 1665 on supporting students with start-up until 2025; inspiring creativity and promoting scientific innovation among young people and students.

The contest also aimed to connect businesses with students; and projects with potential investors, helping to find the best initiatives and technological solutions with the goal of building Nha Trang into a smart city.

According to Ph.D. Quach Hoai Nam, Vice-Principal of Nha Trang University, through this contest, the university hopes that students will gain valuable experience and get well-prepared for their future. The organizing committee also hopes to receive many practical and creative initiatives. The 1st prize worth VND10 million, 1 second prize worth VND5 million and 2 third prizes worth VND2 million each, and consolation prizes were awarded.

On this occasion, Nha Trang University signed a memorandum of a cooperation agreement with the Department of Justice, Provincial Young Entrepreneurs’ Association, Galina Nha Trang Hotel and Long Phu Tourist Joint Stock Company. On that basis, the university, agencies, organizations and businesses will coordinate to provide hands-on training and vocational guidance for students; and help students to apply their learning to real-world situations. The school and businesses will jointly organize activities and training courses on entrepreneurship and business startups with small businesses and support startup activities.

Nha Trang University has just launched the "Startup Ideas" Contest 2024 themed "Creating a Green Future" taking place from April 1 to June 30 among its staff and students inside and outside Khanh Hoa Province.

H.N

Translated by N.T