UEH Inaugurating the Mekong Delta Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MCIE) and organizing the contests "THE STEM UEH MEKONG 2024" and "DRONE CHAMPION VINH LONG 2024"

On May 30 and 31, 2024, at Vinh Long Campus, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) organized the Inauguration Ceremony of the Mekong Delta Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MCIE) and the contests "THE STEM UEH MEKONG 2024" and "DRONE CHAMPION VINH LONG 2024". These activities were part of the series celebrating the 5^th anniversary of Vinh Long Campus, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (December 4, 2019 - December 4, 2024).

Inauguration of the Mekong Delta Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MCIE)

Placing its responsibility in the sustainable development of future generations, since its establishment in 1976 until the transformation into a Multidisciplinary and Sustainable University, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) always strives and is committed to contributing to the sustainable development of society. Through the "Community Connection - Spreading Knowledge - Sustainable Action" program, "Connecting ideas, start-up projects, and innovation" aims to build a dynamic and modern working environment inspiring creative and unique ideas to be nurtured and developed. This is the goal that UEH has been aiming for.

On November 30, 2022, UEH established the Mekong Innovation Startup Incubator at Vinh Long Campus; and started construction on November 4, 2023. After more than 6 months, the project has been completed and officially operated under the name Mekong Delta Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MCIE). MCIE has the mission of spreading knowledge, promoting, and developing the startup ecosystem in the Mekong Delta region. Along with that is the opening of the STEM - DRONE contest organized to nurture and encourage innovation and entrepreneurship spirit among students.

Attending the program, on behalf of the leaders from the People's Committee, Departments and Services, there were Mr. Trinh Van Ngoan - Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training Vinh Long, Mr. Luong Trong Nghia - Deputy Director of the Department Planning and Investment, Mr. Nguyen Van Gioi - Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Vinh Long, Mr. Nguyen Tuong Nam - Chairman of the Business Association of Vinh Long, Mr. Giang A Doan - Director of the Center for Investment Promotion and Business Support of Vinh Long under the Provincial Department of Planning and Investment, Mr. Nguyen Quoc Tuan - Deputy Secretary of Vinh Long, Mr. Nguyen Phuc Tang - Deputy Director of Department of Education and Training of Can Tho, Mr. Dong Minh Long - Representative of the Department of Education and Training of Hau Giang; Mr. Lam Nguyen Hai Long - Vice Chairman of Vietnam Software and Information Technology Services Association, Chairman of the Information Technology Association, Member of UEH Council; Mr. Ha Duy Binh - Director of 4C STEM Education and Skills Development Company Limited, Education Technology Research Expert, Mr. Nguyen Van Hanh - Director of Dariu Foundation, Ms. Pham Thi Thanh Thuy - Dariu Fund Operations Director , Ms. Nguyen Thuy Tuong Vy - Director of Hau Giang Innovation Service Center, Mr. Tang Tan Minh - Head of Tra Vinh Business Incubator Training Department, Mr. Pham Manh Cuong - Vice Principal of Bac Lieu College of Economics and Technology.

On behalf of University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), there was the participation of: Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong - Party Committee Secretary, Chairman of the University Council; Assoc.Prof.D. Bui Quang Hung - Deputy Director of the University cum Director of UEH Vinh Long Campus; Assoc.Prof.Dr. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet - Chairwoman of the UEH Strategy and Policy Advisory Council, Director of the UEH Institute of Innovation; Dr. Thai Kim Phung - Vice Principal of UEH College of Technology and Design; Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Truong Thinh - Director of Institute of Intelligent and Interactive Technology, UEH College of Technology and Design; along with members of the Board of Directors of Vinh Long Campus and lecturers teaching training courses of the UEH Institute of Intelligent and Interactive Technology, UEH Institute of Innovation, leaders of departments, schools and centers at Vinh Long Campus.

UEH leaders and delegates performing the ribbon-cutting ceremony to inaugurate the Mekong Delta Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Training on "Design Thinking" for officials, lectures, students, youth union members, and startups

In its development process with social responsibility, UEH always focuses on strengthening comprehensive and long-term cooperation relationships with localities and state agencies with the desire to make practical and effective contributions to local and regional development. UEH has a plan to coordinate with the Department of Planning and Investment, the Provincial Union, the Department of Education and Training, and the Young Entrepreneurs Association of Vinh Long to carry out MOU signing with provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta which also refers to Entrepreneurship and Innovation training program.

On the afternoon of May 30, 2024, the training program on the topic "Design Thinking" was organized by experts from the Institute of Innovation - UII (UEH) at Vinh Long Campus to provide valuable knowledge for students, youth union members and startups to prepare ideas for contests and startup projects in Vinh Long in 2024.

Attending the opening of the training program was Mr. Luong Trong Nghia - Deputy Director of the Department of Planning and Investment of Vinh Long, Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Quang Hung - Deputy Director of UEH and Director of Vinh Long Campus, Assoc.Prof.Dr. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet - Chairwoman of the UEH Strategy and Policy Advisory Council, Director of the UEH Institute of Innovation, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thi Lieu - Standing Deputy Director of Vinh Long Campus and 40 learners who are officials, lecturers, students, youth union members and startups in Vinh Long.

Mr. Luong Trong Nghia - Deputy Director of the Department of Planning and Investment of Vinh Long - at the opening of the training program

Mr. Vuong Khiet - Director of UII Innovation Incubator (UEH), in charge of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Mekong Delta - conducting the training on "Design Thinking"

Some activities in the training program

STEM - DRONE Festival: Creative and connected playground at UEH Vinh Long Campus

In the same series, on May 30 and 31, 2024, UEH coordinated with the Department of Education and Training of Vinh Long to organize the contest "The STEM UEH Mekong 2024" and "Drone Champion Vinh Long 2024”. This is the second year that University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City has coordinated with the Department of Education and Training of Vinh Long Province to organize these contests at Vinh Long Campus, and this year, it was partially financed by the Dariu Foundation.

Overview of the MCIE Inauguration Ceremony and the Opening of "The STEM UEH Mekong 2024" and "Drone Champion Vinh Long 2024"

Delivering the opening speech at the MCIE Inauguration Ceremony and the contests, Assoc.Prof.Dr. Bui Quang Hung - Deputy Director of UEH and Director of UEH Vinh Long Campus – stated: "The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Mekong Delta has the mission of spreading knowledge, inspiring and promoting innovation and startup activities in the Southwest region while nurturing and developing potential startup projects. The center focuses on the following main tasks: research, consulting, training on innovation, technology application, and product commercialization for localities in the Mekong Delta region; incubating innovative startups in the region; spreading knowledge about innovation, entrepreneurship, technology, and digital transformation towards sustainable development goals. In addition to high-quality human resource training and knowledge transfer activities, UEH always focuses on organizing practical activities associated with local sustainable development, especially innovation activities. To achieve that goal, there needs to be a sustainable learning ecosystem that connects local authorities, departments, services, and between universities, high schools, middle schools, and partners such as the contests on STEM, DRONE and so on and other activities that contribute to creating a sustainable innovation and startup ecosystem for the Mekong Delta region in particular and the country in general. UEH is ready to be connected for sustainable development".

Assoc.Prof.Dr. Bui Quang Hung gave the Opening Speech at the MCIE Inauguration Ceremony and the contests "The STEM UEH Mekong 2024" and "Drone Champion Vinh Long 2024"

The program was organized in 2 phases:

- Phase 1 was held on April 25, 2024: STEM training for Principals, Vice Principals, and key staff at schools and continuing education centers; Leaders and staff of Education and Training departments, teachers in junior and senior high schools in Vinh Long Province. Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thanh - Director of Secondary Education Department, Ministry of Education and Training presented the organizational forms of STEM education, STEM lessons, ways to organize experience activities, research and technology activities, etc. and answered questions from officials and teachers regarding STEM education and teaching according to the General Education English Curriculum 2018.

- Phase 2 was held from May 21 - 31, 2024: "The STEM UEH Mekong 2024" and "Drone Champion Vinh Long 2024" for teachers and students of schools in the Mekong Delta region with the aims of (1) Creating a playground to inspire creativity in students and to promote activities STEM education at junior and senior high schools; (2) Strengthening connections between University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City and high schools in supporting in-depth consultants to help them implement STEM projects preparing for competitions at all levels and with high results; (3) Through inspiring creative ideas, UEH aims to select potential STEM projects for incubation at the "Mekong Delta Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (MCIE)" and provide them with consulting support and investment connections for development.

At the closing and awarding ceremony of the contests, Mr. Trinh Van Ngoan - Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training of Vinh Long - happily shared: "In "The STEM UEH Mekong 2024", all 77 participating teams display their products. The teams' models not only reflect their thoughts and aspirations but also express their desire to contribute to solving problems locally. The contest targets the criteria of using recycled materials and renewable energy to achieve sustainable development for the Mekong Delta. Furthermore, some models have the potential to develop into startup projects, contributing to promoting the STEM application and innovation movement among young people in Vinh Long and the Mekong Delta region. We would like to acknowledge the valuable contributions of the teams. The results of today's contest are the basis for selecting projects to be incubated at the Mekong Delta Innovation and Startup Center shortly. For the contest on Drone, due to limited equipment, it cannot be deployed to the entire region. We welcome provincial units in the next time it is organized."

Mr. Trinh Van Ngoan, Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training of Vinh Long, at the closing and awarding ceremony of the contests

The playgrounds that inspire creativity "The STEM UEH Mekong 2024" and "Drone Champion Vinh Long 2024".

During the 10 days of training and competition (from May 21 to 31, 2024), the contest received the attention and registration of more than 408 contestants from 77 STEM teams, and 25 Drone teams of teachers and students of junior and senior schools in the Mekong Delta region from Vinh Long, Ben Tre, Ca Mau, Hau Giang, Kien Giang, Long An, Soc Moon, Can Tho.

Overview of the contest "The STEM UEH Mekong 2024"

The teams went through 8 training topics with the guidance of experts and lecturers from the Institute of Intelligent and Interactive Technology (3I), the Institute of Innovation (UII) under the College of Technology and Design (CTD) of UEH. The activity provided teachers and students with theoretical and practical knowledge about Fundamentals of STEM and introduction to STEM application models; Mechanical system design; Basic programming; Configuration structure and applications; Sensors and applications; Project implementation support; Innovative startups: Applying Design Thinking in Building Customer-Oriented Value; STEM model proposal to solve urgent local problems; Using recycled materials and renewable energy towards the goal of a sustainable development in the Mekong Delta region.

Assoc.Prof. Dr. Nguyen Truong Thinh, Director of Institute of Intelligent and Interactive Technology, UEH listening to the STEM project presentation of the contestant group

Dr. Thai Kim Phung, Vice Principal - College of Technology and Design, UEH and Mr. Tran Thanh Hai - Representative of Dariu Fund, commenting on the STEM project presentation of the contestant group

The "Drone Champion Vinh Long 2024" was an interesting and challenging event for teachers and students with a passion for drone technology and programming. The contest was organized with 2 parts, including (1) Controlling Drones for group work, and (2) Programming moving Drones. This contest provided a platform for teams or individuals to demonstrate their ability to program and control drones through diverse tasks and challenges.

Competitions at the "Drone Champion Vinh Long 2024" Contest

After 02 days of completing the projects, the Organizing Committee selected the excellent team winning "The STEM UEH Mekong 2024", which was the project: "Green Car" of Nguyen Binh Khiem High School for the Gifted, Vinh Long. The two second prizes went to the project "Fire warning and fighting model combined with smart escape" of Him Lam Ethnic Boarding School, Hau Giang and the project "Application of IOT in monitoring and warning of danger in mountains and forests" by Luu Van Liet High School, Vinh Long. Three third prizes belonged to the projects "Semi-automatic egg incubator", "Smart house model to grow black termite mushrooms", and "Automatic watering system" of Tran Dai Nghia High School, Pham Hung High School, Vinh Long and Dam Doi High School, Ca Mau. Besides, there were also 10 consolation prizes awarded.

Champion team of "The STEM UEH Mekong 2024" contest, project: "Green Car", of Nguyen Binh Khiem High School for the Gifted, Vinh Long

In the "Drone Champion Vinh Long", the champion team was Hoa Binh Junior and Senior High School. 02 Second prizes belonged to the team of Nguyen Binh Khiem High School for the Gifted and Phu Quoi Junior and Senior High School. 03 Third Prizes went to Hieu Nhon Junior and Senior High School, Tan Luoc High School, and Vinh Long High School. 05 Consolation Prizes went to Huu Thanh High School, Hieu Phung High School, Ethnic Boarding High School, Phan Van Hoa High School, and Nguyen Van Thiet High School.

The best teams of the "Drone Champion Vinh Long 2024" contest

At the end of the program, UEH also issued Certificates to 404 Teachers and students who participated in the Training and Contests.

With its importance and practicality, the STEM training series along with the contests once again affirmed UEH's efforts in connecting university and high school levels in the direction of improving management capacity, information technology capacity; English teaching and learning abilities, and especially solutions to promote autonomy, dynamism, and creativity through STEM activities for students in learning.

The success of the series has contributed to connecting ideas and innovative start-up projects, together aiming to the goal of sustainable development for education and society with practical values spread to generations of students.

Additional photos regarding the series of Inauguration Ceremony of the Mekong Delta Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the two contests "THE STEM UEH MEKONG 2024" and " DRONE CHAMPION VINH LONG 2024":