Over recent years, a large number of start-up events of different scales have been organised for Da Nang’s university and junior college students in a bid to inspire them to do their start-up activities in a healthy and strong start-up ecosystem.

A shrimp tank cleaning system created by students from the city’s University of Technology and Science

Le Chi Hieu, a student from the Faculty of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering at the city’s University of Technology and Science, has joined his ambitious efforts with his coursemates to conduct their scientific research into the design and creation of a drip irrigation system.

Hieu remarked drip irrigation is able to save water and nutrients by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of plants, either from above the soil surface or buried below the surface. The goal is to place water directly into the root zone and minimise evaporation.

Depending on how well designed, installed, maintained, and operated it is, a drip irrigation system can be more efficient than other types of irrigation systems, such as surface irrigation or sprinkler irrigation.

Sprinklers, for instance, which spray water into the air where it is easily evaporated or lost to the wind, are inherently inefficient. They spread water over large areas, regardless of whether there are roots throughout the area to absorb it. Plus, constantly wetting the leaves contributes to foliar diseases in many crops.

In contrast, drip irrigation systems deliver water directly to the soil, precisely where it is needed. Drip systems are geared for precision and are highly adaptable, allowing gardeners to fine-tune how much water each and every plant receives.

The group’s project had advanced to the final round of a university-level scientific research contest which took place in March. 

At present, the drip irrigation model developed by the talented students is being applied at many organic vegetable growing areas in rural Hoa Vang District’s Tuy Loan Village.

As for scientific research movement at the University of Technology and Education, since 2016, this educational establishment has set up 16 Study-Research Teams (SRTs) with a combined total of more than 200 students.

Thanks to the effective operation of these groups, their members have jointly developed many research-inspired products, many of which have shown of high practicality.  Noticeable amongst them are homemade lipsticks, lingzhi mushrooms, and Pleurotus ostreatus.

Associate Professor Dr Phan Cao Tho, the Rector of the University of Technology and Education underlined a must-do for all of the local universities and junior colleges to pass the torch of strong passion for start-up activities on to their students, as well as to introduce effective ways to these young start-up lovers to help them develop their own businesses.

It is also necessary for the youths to be more confident, and to take the initiative to develop their start-up ideas to make their dreams come true in a bid to support themselves, and make greater dedication for the city’s progress as well.

In the next academic year, the University of Technology and Education will organise a seminar, entitled ‘SRTs and Startups’, with the intention of providing SRT members with necessary business start-up knowledge and skills.

According to Mr Ly Dinh Quan, the CEO of the SONGHAN Incubator, one of the shortcomings in research-inspired startup movements amongst students is the fact that many students usually coordinate with their classmates involving in the same major at their schools, whereas startup activities requires an intensive team comprising human resource active in a series of diversified aspect.