Innovation Competition: Green Economy and Future 2024

On May 9, 2024, the Final Gala of the Innovation Competition "Green Economy and Future 2024" took place at Hall B1.302 - UEH University. After the success of the first season in 2023, the competition has officially returned with the aim of raising students' awareness of the green economy while looking for creative ideas to apply in practice to contribute to building the economy towards sustainable development. Through 3 rounds: Green Spark, Eco Innovation, and Sustain Pitch, the competition attracted more than 3,000 students to participate on both online and offline platforms and 15 models, ideas, and solutions revolving around the theme of Green Economy and implementing UEH Green University. 

Identity of the Innovation Competition: Green Economy and Future 2024

Round 1: Green Spark - Online Green Knowledge Quiz Round

In order to test students' basic knowledge of Green Economy, Environmental Protection, UEH Green University, UEH Green Campus project, as well as providing more green knowledge to UEH students, the Organizing Committee decided to start the journey with an simple and familiar round for students through the online test form on the UEH Quizz website from April 13 to 19. Candidates will take an individual online test, including 30 multiple choice questions within 25 minutes in 1 round, and of which 75 fastest candidates with the highest scores will move on to round 2. In addition, to help students easily access and answer questions to help them better understand the meaning of the competition, the GEF Organizing Committee has set up a Communication Booth in Hall B2 - "Silk Road", and attracted a lot of students.

Students learning information about the program at GEF 2024 Booth 

Round 2: Eco Innovation - Project Setup and Reporting Round

75 contestants who pass round 1 will be randomly divided into 15 teams. Each team consists of 5 contestants and will work together to build a model, idea, and solution revolving around the theme of Green Economy and implementing UEH Green University according to the Organizing Committee's report template. The content of the contest includes areas of Sustainable green start-up; Energy saving, resource saving; Application of information technology in environmental management and protection; Waste classification and treatment systems; Solutions to reduce non-recyclable waste, etc. The teams will participate in volunteering to support students at UEH green practice stations in the "Green Volunteer 2024" program under the UEH Green Campus 2024 Project series. This is a mandatory requirement for the teams to enter round 2. In round 2 - Eco Innovation (April 20 - April 29), the teams will come up with ideas, complete reports and design 01 infographic to express their ideas (Link to the teams' projects).

The teams volunteering to support students at UEH green practice stations at campus B

In addition, in round 2, the School of Economics's Youth Union was extremely honored to accompany Mr. Pham Truong Hung - Member of the UEH Student Secretariat, Vice Head of the UEH Volunteer - Student Support Committee as a Guest Trainer for the Green Practice Station, along with the presence of 3 experienced judges with strategic vision in the field of innovation and sustainable development: Dr. Le Thanh Loan, Dr. Nguyen Quang and MSc - PhD candidate Le Thi Hanh An.

Green Practice Station training session with Mr. Pham Truong Hung

Round 3: Sustain Pitch

With the 5 best teams in round 2, round 3 will be an opportunity for participants to present their projects carried out in the previous rounds and at the same time evaluate their expertise and ability to respond and handle situations hypothesized by the judges. From the project idea report in round 2, the 5 teams will be trained by presenting to the professional advisor in turn to complete their projects. The School of Economics has invited a special guest - an advisor to train the teams in round 3, PhD candidate Le Thi Hanh An - Representative of the UEH Sustainable Project Board - UEH Green Campus Project Manager - In charge of UEH brand communication. Ms. Hanh An is the guest trainer accompanying the teams to strengthen and help them be the most complete. 

The team presenting their project at the training session round 3.

The team taking comments from the expert advisor.

GEF 2024 Final Gala Night

After challenging rounds, the top 5 best projects have officially emerged and are ready to shine their potential on the Gala Night after a period of preparation in front of the judges and all UEH students at hall B1. 302 on May 9, 2024. To find the best team that win the championship on the final night of this season, in round 3, there will continue to be the companionship of the three main judges, Dr. Le Thanh Loan, Dr. Nguyen Quang and  PhD candidate Le Thi Hanh An. 

5 outstanding projects in the final round:

• Greenlife Non-Profit Campaign - A campaign to spread the message about the importance of creating and using products sustainably (Greenlife Team).

• Bio-composting model from organic waste at UEH University (Greenery Team).

• UEH Greenery Buddy - Energy, electricity, water management system (Team Seven).

• Solutions to reduce the use of plastic cups by students in the university environment (Agile Team).

• Composting process for organic waste at UEH University (Greenflag Team).

Final Gala of Innovation Competition: Green Economy and Future 2024 

Mr. Luong Duy Khang - Deputy Secretary of the Youth Union of the School of Economics delivering the opening speech at the Final Night.

Round 1: Green knowledge

Round 2: Green Project

Round 3: Green Thinking

Round 3: Green Thinking

After 3 impressive and fiery rounds of competition between 5 equally talented teams, the most outstanding factors winning the most prestigious titles of the program have been officially revealed. The School of Economics would like to send their most sincere and deepest congratulations to the most excellent teams. The Champion team of the competition will be accompanied by guidance and support to complete the project of the Living Lab under the UEH Green Campus Sustainable University project. 

️Champion: GREENLIFE

Runner-up: AGILITY

GREENERY Team

Consolation prize: SEVEN

Consolation prize: GREENFLAG

Awarding prizes to the competing teams

The explosion of the GEF 2024 final night brought many emotions to all the participants. Starting with the dramatic "Green Knowledge" rounds, followed by the tense moments of presenting and debating green projects, our contestants showed great performance and brought students useful lessons as well as interesting moments on the final night. The organizers hope that after this year's GEF 2024 journey, students will gain a lot of new and useful knowledge about the green economy, as well as more motivation and inspiration to develop ideas and create new products that contribute to the sustainable development of the environment and society. 

News and photos: School of Economics