On the afternoon of May 30, 2024, National Economics University (NEU) held the launch ceremony for the Social Pioneers 2024 Social Marketing Competition. This is the second edition of the competition, building on the outstanding success of its inaugural season in 2023.

External guests attending the launch ceremony included Tom Thornley, First Secretary for Climate and Nature at the British Embassy; Pham Phuong Thao, Deputy General Director of G.Empire Land Real Estate Joint Stock Company; and Pham Thi Nguyen Thuy, National Sales Manager for the Hospital Channel at OPV Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company.

Representing NEU were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President; and MSc. Vu Tri Tuan, Member of the Standing Committee of the Hanoi Youth Union and Secretary of the NEU Youth Union. Representing the constituent colleges, from the College of Business, were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Van Tuan, Vice President; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Huy Thong, Dean of the Faculty of Marketing. Also attending were representatives of the leadership of departments, faculties, institutes and centers; representatives of professional partners—the British Embassy in Vietnam, G.Empire Real Estate Joint Stock Company, RV OPV and Chicilon Media; and faculty, staff and students from across the University.

Social Pioneers is a social marketing competition organized by the Faculty of Marketing and the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union at NEU. The competition targets young people aged 15 to 24 nationwide who are interested in and eager to create their own marketing campaigns to address serious social issues and work with businesses to implement effective CSR activities that create positive value for the community.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU, delivers remarks.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU, noted that academic competitions, particularly in marketing, are now familiar to young people. At NEU and across the country, many academic competitions have been created to give young people opportunities to deepen their knowledge and demonstrate their thinking, talent and confidence. “I very much hope that NEU will continue to organize more academic competitions with a strong specialist focus across all fields to attract and develop even more young talent.”

Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President, emphasized that Social Pioneers is the first social marketing competition held at NEU. Following the resounding success of its first season, the competition has demonstrated its appeal through its fresh and engaging approach and the substantial social benefits it brings. “We hope the competition will provide a valuable platform for school and university students nationwide who are passionate about marketing, helping them better understand marketing and social marketing in social organizations as well as businesses. I believe that, through creative ideas and groundbreaking initiatives, young people will help bring about significant changes in the community, spread meaningful messages and contribute to building a better society,” said Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Thanh Hieu.

MSc. Vu Tri Tuan, Secretary of the NEU Youth Union, launches the Social Pioneers 2024 competition.

Also at the ceremony, MSc. Vu Tri Tuan, Secretary of the NEU Youth Union, stated that marketing in particular and social marketing in general represent an inevitable trend, and that the Social Pioneers competition is proud to be among the pioneers in making social marketing more accessible to school and university students.

“Following the success of Social Pioneers 2023, we are returning this year with the promise of a more engaging, impressive and valuable platform for school and university students nationwide. We hope that today’s launch ceremony will be followed by a thoroughly successful program,” said MSc. Vu Tri Tuan.

Pham Phuong Thao, Deputy General Director of G.Empire Land Real Estate Joint Stock Company, delivers remarks.

The inaugural season of Social Pioneers concluded with achievements to be proud of. Attracting more than 700 teams from across the country, more than 2,000 contestants and more than 1,000 attendees at the final night, with a total prize value of up to VND 750 million, Social Pioneers 2023 demonstrated its scale and influence despite being a relatively new competition. Building on the success of its first season, Social Pioneers 2024 returns with the theme “The Guides of Light” and a mission to find “guides of light” on the journey to create positive values for society.

The competition has also attracted interest from many organizations and businesses, including G.Empire Real Estate Joint Stock Company and RV OPV, which are its Diamond Sponsors. The Organizing Committee has also received support from its Professional Partner, the British Embassy in Vietnam.

Pham Thi Nguyen Thuy, National Sales Manager for the Hospital Channel at OPV Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company.

Tom Thornley, First Secretary for Climate and Nature at the British Embassy, delivers remarks.

The competition officially begins on May 30, 2024, and concludes on August 9, 2024, with four rounds to identify the contestants most deserving of the top position. On the final night, the four best teams will present the projects they have developed through the three preceding rounds, debate with their opponents and defend their projects before the judging panel.

At the launch ceremony, the Organizing Committee outlined the new features, rules and format of this year’s competition and officially announced the opening of registration for Social Pioneers 2024.

NEU leaders and delegates attending the ceremony pose for a commemorative group photo.

Some photos from the program:

Article and photos: Faculty of Marketing 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.