In order to help Da Nang students turn more enthusiastic about innovative entrepreneurship activities, some universities citywide have integrated them into their training programmes in the form of elective subjects, short-term training courses or organised innovative training programmes in student entrepreneurship. Students are equipped with innovative tools to apply in the research and development process.

A group of students from the University of Economics, and Science and Technology at a scientific research competition. Photo: THU HA

The topic ‘Dirt suction system in water tanks’ by a group of students Ho Thi Thu Hang, Nguyen Thanh Phuc, Hoang Anh Son and Huynh Quynh Anh from the University of Science and Technology under the University of Da Nang-UD has just won an encouragement prize at the Da Nang Student Scientific Research Competition 2024 organised by the municipal Department of Science and Technology.

Student Ho Thi Thu Hang, the head of the research group, said that this topic required many experiments. If students did it themselves without a laboratory, the research results would not be realistic.

Thanks to the support of the school, the faculties of Environment and Transport Engineering in terms of facilities and laboratories, the group conducted experiments and surveyed each stage of the project.

According to Hang’s assessment, the school’s laboratories were fully equipped with equipment and tools for research and experimentation, which helped students a lot in the practice process. In addition, the close supervision of the instructors during the implementation process helped the group complete the set goals. Hang added that the project ‘Dirt suction system in water tanks’ is being piloted in two households.

After winning prizes in the competitions, the group has continuously researched and developed the product to optimize it.

As one of the three instructors of the project ‘Dirt suction system in water tanks’, Dr. Nguyen Quang Nhu Quynh, a lecturer at the University of Science and Technology, said that to promote the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship among students, this tertiary establishment has implemented many activities, including school-level scientific research competitions and creative idea competitions of the Youth Union. Given these premises, students have ideas and products to participate in larger-scale playgrounds.

In addition, the subjects ‘Entrepreneurship and Innovation’ or ‘Business Startup’ are also included in regular teaching in some faculties. The school integrates the content of entrepreneurship and innovation into the training programme, especially in technology industries.

The entrepreneurship training programme is flexibly designed, suitable for each major, helping students not only master specialized knowledge but also develop entrepreneurial thinking, according to the major they are studying.

In addition, the university builds advisory programmes and document systems, as well as provides working space and necessary resources, supports students in the process of implementing and developing startup projects, contributing to building a creative, dynamic and effective ecosystem right in the university.

Participating in teaching subjects related to startups and innovation, Dr. Nguyen Minh Tien, the Deputy Dean of the Department of Science Management and International Cooperation, the University of Technology and Education under the UD assessed that the development and implementation of students-developed startup and innovation project ideas often encounter many ‘bottlenecks’, requiring strong support from lecturers and the university.

Most students face a shortage of experience, practical skills, financial resources and facilities, and they have not mastered legal and market processes. Therefore, lecturers play the role of direct advisors, helping students perfect their ideas, define goals and have plans to complete the set goals.

In addition, the university creates favourable conditions for facilities, laboratories, practice, and supports research funding for ideas and topics. In recent years, the university has focused on improving the quality of learning and the ability of students to apply in scientific research and innovation.

These activities were implemented in many forms, such as specialised subjects designed for startups and innovation, providing students with basic knowledge and practical skills such as ‘Innovation, creativity, startups’, ‘Leadership and management skills’ and ‘Teamwork skills’, or ‘Specialized project management’.

To further support students, two years ago, the University of Technology and Education put into operation the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Research. Many topics and ideas close to reality and highly applicable to students’ lives have been nurtured.

According to Master Pham Minh Man, the Deputy Director in charge of the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Research, the institute has invited experts to share experiences through startup and innovation activities for student groups that have products, topics or ideas, as well as organised seminars to connect students with investors, and developed potential projects so that students can grasp the opportunity to pitch investment capital for their projects.

Reporting by THU HA - Translating by A.THU