On the morning of January 17, 2025, the Institute of International Education and the Faculty of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at National Economics University (NEU) held a ceremony to launch the BizTech Hackathon competition and sign a cooperation agreement with OnAir Entertainment Communications Company.

Representing the company at the ceremony was Pham Ngoc Mai Anh, Chair of OnAir Entertainment Communications Co., Ltd. Representing the U.S. partner university was Le Nguyen Ngoc Son, Deputy Director of Program Development in Vietnam for Andrews University, United States. Representing NEU were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh, Dean of the Institute of International Education; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ha Minh Hoang, Dean of the Faculty of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (FDA); representatives of the leadership of functional units; and the University’s faculty, staff, and students.

Co-organized by the Institute of International Education and the Faculty of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, BizTech Hackathon 2025 – A.Ignite is a creative platform for NEU students passionate about applying technology to entrepreneurship; creating new products or business projects enabled by technological development; and proposing technology-based solutions to social issues…

For the first time at NEU, an interdisciplinary competition is being held to help students from different disciplines make the most of their strengths and apply their specialized knowledge to practical projects. Cooperation among faculties and institutes, along with interdisciplinary knowledge exchange among students from different faculties, demonstrates NEU’s innovative, creative, and pioneering approach to promoting collaboration and incorporating up-to-date practical knowledge into teaching. Through the competition, students from both units can connect and expand their networks within a community of businesses, accomplished entrepreneurs, experts, and University students. BizTech Hackathon offers an excellent opportunity for students of the Institute of International Education to explore technology, particularly artificial intelligence, in greater depth, while FDA students can learn about and strengthen their knowledge of innovation in business.

The competition runs from January 17 to February 28, 2025. Contestants are divided into project teams to generate ideas and develop business models. Throughout the competition, which lasts more than one month, each team is guided by two coaches: one entrepreneur with extensive experience in their field and one lecturer from the Faculty of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence with in-depth knowledge of technology and artificial intelligence.

BizTech Hackathon – the first interfaculty entrepreneurship competition at NEU

The BizTech Hackathon launch ceremony consisted of three parts. Opening the program and the series of activities within the competition was a seminar on “Technology entrepreneurship,” led by MSc. Pham Ngoc Mai Anh, Chair of OnAir. Mai Anh emphasized the indispensable role of artificial intelligence (A.I) in formulating and developing strategies for technology startups. A.I not only helps optimize operational processes and analyze data but also creates opportunities for breakthrough innovation, thereby shaping businesses’ direction and strengthening their competitive advantage. Alongside the application of advanced technology, execution capability is the decisive factor in the success of a technology product. It is the key to turning creative ideas into reality while ensuring that products not only meet market needs but also deliver lasting value to users. Execution capability requires persistence, an understanding of the market, effective management skills, and close coordination among team members.

MSc. Pham Ngoc Mai Anh, Chair of OnAir, speaks on the topic “Technology entrepreneurship”

Following the seminar, the Institute of International Education and OnAir formally signed a strategic cooperation agreement, laying the groundwork for developing online academic programs and organizing educational events. At the signing ceremony, the two parties reached a comprehensive cooperation agreement focused on promoting digital content development in education. OnAir will support BizTech Hackathon: A.Ignite as a sponsor, assisting innovative startup projects. This cooperation aims to disseminate knowledge, build an online course platform, and organize professional events, helping learners access knowledge more easily and effectively.

Cooperation agreement signing ceremony between the Institute of International Education and OnAir

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh, Dean of the Institute of International Education, affirmed that, as the Fourth Industrial Revolution gathers momentum, entrepreneurship is no longer simply a matter of isolated creative ideas. One of the most important drivers of innovation is multidisciplinary collaboration. This is a core principle that we want to convey through this competition, which also offers an opportunity for you not only to learn from one another’s expertise but also to inspire creativity through valuable exchanges.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh, Dean of the Institute of International Education, delivers remarks to launch BizTech Hackathon 2025: A.Ignite

Continuing the program, Dr. Le Thi Huong Lan, in charge of the Cooperation and Development Division at the Institute of International Education, provided a detailed introduction to the competition rules, helping contestants better understand the challenges and opportunities ahead. Immediately afterward, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ha Minh Hoang, Dean of FDA, presented an overview of this year’s nine engaging competition themes: LangAI, EcoAssist, TrafficHelper, UpCross AI, InsightEdu, UniTalk, AntiFraud, TelcoRec, and SimuLogi.

Dr. Le Thi Huong Lan, in charge of the Cooperation and Development Division at the Institute of International Education, provides a detailed introduction to the competition rules

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ha Minh Hoang, Dean of FDA, presents an overview of this year’s competition themes

Following the introductions, the lively atmosphere continued as students from both units moved to the lobby to take part in a series of creative bonding activities. The game “Match the pictures to find your team” quickly brought moments of suspense and excitement, helping contestants find the perfect pieces to form their “dream team.” By the end of the activity, each team took away not only meaningful gifts but also a sense of enthusiasm, ready to embark on the journey of tackling the exciting challenges ahead. The team-matching session resulted in a total of six teams, each with six to seven members, including students from both the Faculty of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence and the Institute of International Education.

Students from both units take part in a series of creative bonding activities

BizTech Hackathon is more than a competition; it also connects knowledge and brings together promising and enthusiastic students from the Institute of International Education and the Faculty of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. With guidance from NEU lecturers and staff and experienced entrepreneurs, contestants are encouraged to embrace collaboration and creativity, tackle challenges, and demonstrate their individual abilities. With thorough preparation and enthusiasm, the six teams are ready to embark on a journey of discovery and push beyond their own limits.

Article and photos: Institute of International Education

This is an automated translation. If you notice any errors, please contact the Department of Communications, National Economics University at phongtruyenthong@neu.edu.vn.