On the evening of October 30, 2024, the final night of the “Search for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ideas in Agribusiness” competition AGRIUP 2024 – NEW HORIZON XPLORER took place at Hall A2, National Economics University (NEU). The competition was organized by the NEU Agricultural Entrepreneurship Club with the support of the Faculty of Real Estate and Natural Resource Economics, the Institute of Advanced, High-Quality and POHE Programs, and the University’s Youth Union.

The five teams participating in the final night of the competition

Invited guests attending the event included Truong Si Ba, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tan Long Group; Bui Thi Hanh Hieu, General Director of Bao Minh Agricultural Products Trading Joint Stock Company; Nguyen Van Liem, Director of Yen Tu Macadamia Joint Stock Company; journalist Do Ngoc Thi, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Organic Agriculture Magazine; Dinh Hang, a member of the Management Board of Campus K; Dr. Dang Van Cuong from the Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development of Agricultural Products under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; Vu Thi Thu Huong, Vice Chair of the Thai Nguyen Provincial Cooperative Alliance; Dao Van Toan, Deputy Director of Hao Dat Tea Cooperative; Nguyen Vu Cao, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Khangland Joint Stock Company; and leadership representatives from Grande Vietnam Joint Stock Company; the international employment network dedicated to Vietnamese job seekers; Color ME, a multimedia graphic design training center; ST Lighthouse, a soft skills academy; Thalic Voice, a voice and skills academy; and NET English Center under NET CORP Education and Technology Investment Group, a supporter of the competition.

Representing NEU were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong, Vice President of NEU; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Thao, Dean of the Faculty of Real Estate and Natural Resource Economics; leadership representatives from schools, departments, faculties, institutes and centers; faculty members; competing teams; and students from the Faculty of Real Estate and Natural Resource Economics.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong, Vice President of NEU, delivers the opening remarks

In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong, Vice President of NEU, commended the organizing committee for creating a positive and beneficial platform not only for students in the discipline and at the University, but also for students from universities and colleges across all three regions: northern, central and southern Vietnam. Beyond applying classroom knowledge to practical fields, the competition nurtures students’ entrepreneurial ideas while they are still at university.

The Associate Professor and Vice President also congratulated all the competing teams. He noted that victory was not limited to those securing high rankings in that evening’s final: all teams had won by gaining the opportunity to present their ideas to businesses, where those ideas could become reality in the future. Assoc. Prof. Bui Huy Nhuong thanked the businesses for their partnership and their material and moral support for the competition. He expressed his hope that the teams’ ideas would receive further support so that their entrepreneurial ideas could soon be put into practice.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong, Vice President of NEU, and representatives of the units’ leadership present flowers to thank the competition’s sponsors

Bui Thi Hanh Hieu, General Director of Bao Minh Agricultural Products Trading Joint Stock Company, speaks on behalf of the sponsors

Speaking on behalf of the businesses supporting the competition, Bui Thi Hanh Hieu, General Director of Bao Minh Agricultural Products Trading Joint Stock Company, said that, as a supporter for the second year, the company had seen the teams bring many highly creative and feasible ideas to the competition, demonstrating the capabilities, knowledge and innovative thinking of today’s younger generation. The ideas were not only technically sound but also reflected young people’s dreams and aspirations to contribute to building an increasingly prosperous country with greater self-reliance in knowledge and technology relative to other countries around the world. Although still only ideas presented in a competition, the proposals developed by the students were highly persuasive, reflecting their capabilities as well as the dynamism and innovation in higher education curricula.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Thao, Dean of the Faculty of Real Estate and Natural Resource Economics, discusses the competition’s content

Speaking at the event, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Thao, Dean of the Faculty of Real Estate and Natural Resource Economics, said that the “Search for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ideas in Agribusiness” competition provided a platform for students’ creative ideas and passion for green agriculture to shine.

This year’s theme, “Sustainable Green Agriculture,” is not only a trend but also a commitment to transparent, responsible and sustainable agriculture in Vietnam. The students brought solutions aimed not only at transitioning to organic agriculture but also at developing circular agriculture models that optimize resource reuse, minimize waste and create sustainable value for communities. Held over three months with three rounds, the competition attracted 50 teams comprising nearly 300 students from universities, colleges and academies nationwide. Surpassing more than 40 teams, the competition’s five best teams advanced to the final night:

– Team EcoPuzzle (NEU)

– Team Mentor A+ (University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City)

– Team DURICO (Foreign Trade University)

– Team EcoSoap (Vietnam Women’s Academy)

– Team Watermelon (NEU)

The teams present their projects and answer questions from members of the competition’s judging panel

In the final round, the teams presented their projects to the judging panel in an order determined by drawing lots. Each team had 7 minutes for its presentation and 13 minutes to answer the judges’ questions. The five teams delivered presentations that exceeded expectations, along with outstanding answers from their members, making it difficult for the judges to select the best teams for the awards. After nearly 3 hours, the final night concluded with the following results:

– Team Mentor A+ (University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City) – Champion

– Team Watermelon (NEU) – Runner-up

– Team EcoSoap (Vietnam Women’s Academy) – Third place

– Team EcoPuzzle (NEU) – Promising Team Award

– Team DURICO (Foreign Trade University) – Promising Team Award.

Truong Sy Ba, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tan Long Group Joint Stock Company, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Thao, Dean of the Faculty of Real Estate and Natural Resource Economics, present the championship award to Team Mentor A+ (University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City)

The organizing committee and sponsors present the runner-up award to Team Watermelon (NEU)

The organizing committee presents the third-place award to Team EcoSoap (Vietnam Women’s Academy)

The organizing committee presents Promising Team Awards to two teams: Team EcoPuzzle (NEU) and Team DURICO (Foreign Trade University)

After nearly 3 hours, the final night of the “Search for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ideas in Agribusiness” competition AGRIUP 2024 – NEW HORIZON XPLORER concluded successfully, leaving a lasting impression on everyone attending the competition.

The Organizing Committee, judging panel, and attending delegates pose for a commemorative photo with the competing teams

Article and photos: Faculty of Real Estate and Natural Resource Economics and Department of Communications

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