GREEN SUMMER SCHOOL TOWARD SUSTAINABLE CITY 2024
On July 31, 2024, International University – Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City organized a project presentation for the Green Summer School Toward Sustainable City 2024 program. The presentation was a great success with four outstanding teams presenting bold initiatives for planning the southern coastal area of Can Gio District to transform into a green and sustainable ecological urban area based on the computer game Cities: Skylines.
The teams consisted of members from various universities and high schools in the city: International University, Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Finance, Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport and Communications, High School for the Gifted – Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Nguyen Huu Huan High School, Le Quy Don High School, and Linh Trung High School.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dinh Duc Anh Vu, Vice Rector of International University, shared: “From an educational perspective, with the University’s strength in leading the way in Education for sustainable development as reflected in the motto ‘INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY, VNUHCM – WORKING TOWARDS BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE WORLD’, The School Board always promotes new activities to create more meaningful and creative playgrounds for students. Moreover, we also aspire to expand this playground for High School students to have the opportunity to participate, develop their thinking, learn new knowledge, and thereby demonstrate their leadership skills, and teamwork, and promote the voice of the younger generation in building Ho Chi Minh City in particular and Vietnam in general”.
The teams achieved outstanding results after two challenging and meaningful weeks of the program. The Special Prize was awarded to team THE SERENITY, whose members came from the Faculty of Economics, Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Finance (UEF), and Le Quy Don High School.
The Most Favorite Team Award belonged to GSS2302, whose members were from the Faculty of Engineering and Construction Management, International University, High School for the Gifted, and Nguyen Huu Huan High School.
In addition to the teams that received awards, the jury also recognized the dedication and effort of the two remaining teams, DREAM WEAVERS and PEP-GREEN.
Representatives of the organizing committee, jury, guests, and all teams took a commemorative photo.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dinh Duc Anh Vu, Vice-Rector of IU, delivered the opening speech at the program’s final round on the morning of July 31, 2024.
Team THE SERENITY, with members from the Faculty of Economics, Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Finance, and Le Quy Don High School presented their project proposal.
Team GSS2302, with members from the Faculty of Engineering and Construction Management, International University, Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport and Communications, High School for the Gifted, and Nguyen Huu Huan High School presented their project proposal.
Dr. Tran Thi Ngoc Diep, Head of the Innovation and Technology Transfer Center at International University, and Mr. Phan Van Trung, Deputy Head of the Can Gio Forest Protection Management Board presented the special award to Team THE SERENITY.
Dr. Tran Thi Ngoc Diep, Head of the Innovation and Technology Transfer Center at International University presented the Most Favorite Award to Team GSS2302.
The image of the southern region of Can Gio District’s planning on the Cities: Skylines platform by Team PEP-GREEN, with members from the Logistics and Supply Chain Management Department, Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Finance, and the Faculty of Engineering and Construction Management, International University.
Before the official project presentation, the teams actively participated in workshops to reinforce the necessary knowledge and skills to complete the project as smoothly as possible with high intensity for five consecutive days at International University. One of these workshops was an Active Youth Training session and an interaction with Miss. Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc.
The participants had an energetic morning attending the Active Youth Training session facilitated by the trainer PhD. Le Nguyen Thuy Van with dynamic activities that helped participants get to know their peers and effective teamwork. Moreover, they had the chance to interact and listen to the intimate sharing of Miss Intercontinental 2022 Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc.
Miss Intercontinental 2022 – Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc took a commemorative photo with all teams and the Organizing Committee during the Active Youth Training session.
PhD. Le Nguyen Thuy Van – Specialist from the Innovation and Technology Transfer Center introduced the Active Youth Training session to all teams.
Miss Bao Ngoc and all teams discussed the topic of youth climate action during the Active Youth Training session.
During the program, the teams visited a Nipa Palm farm, enjoyed fresh Nipa Palm juice right at the farm, and listened to informative presentations about the sustainable Nipa Palm products of Vietnam Nipa Corporation (VIETNIPA). Moreover, the teams experienced the Can Gio Mangrove Protection Forest Management Board, a UNESCO-recognized Biosphere Reserve since 2000, and visited the coastal park of Can Thanh Town. The trip provided the participants with knowledge and a clearer understanding of Can Gio District, the importance of the Mangrove Biosphere Reserve, and why it is called the green lung of Ho Chi Minh City.
The Can Gio Mangrove Forest Management Board Representative presented a detailed sand model of the Biosphere Reserve to all teams.
The Organizing Committee, all teams, and Representative from the Can Gio Forest Protection Management Board took a commemorative photo.
Nguyen Dang Anh Nhan – Student from the Faculty of Engineering and Construction Management, International University – prepared to take Nipa Palm juice.
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Sang – The Sales Manager of Vietnam Nipa Corporation was guiding and sharing information with all teams on how to extract Nipa Palm juice.
All teams explored the Nipa Palm farm together.
platform Cities: Skylines, which is used as a replacement for specialized design software. This simulation platform closely adhered to the actual map of Can Gio District with an accuracy of up to 90%, helping them to approach building a Green and Sustainable Can Gio City.
PhD. Nguyen Nhat Thoai – Specialist from the Innovation and Technology Transfer Center – guided all teams on how to use the Cities: Skylines tool for designing planning projects.
| TRAINING ON 17 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS) AND URBAN, GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE
Participants of the program also had the opportunity to learn about the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations and received training on urban development and Green infrastructure. Ms. Khanh Thuong from UNDP Asia-Pacific and Mr. Nguyen Hoang Nam from University of Economics and Finance Ho Chi Minh City provided insightful sharing sessions for all teams, helping them better understand the SDGs, fundamental knowledge of Green Urban development, the concept of a green city, and key considerations for developing a city strategy.
PhD. Tran Hoang Nam – Head of Real Estate Department, Faculty of Economics, University of Economics and Finance Ho Chi Minh City took a commemorative photo with the participants during the Green Urban and Infrastructure Training session.
Nguyen Kha Doanh and Nguyen Phuong Vy – Students from Linh Trung High School enthusiastically participated in the Green Urban and Infrastructure Training session with the trainer. All teams were guided through useful tips for their group presentations. MEng. Tran Quang Dao from ISB Institute, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City shared important skills for a timely-focused presentation that made a good impression on the audience.
PhD. Tran Quang Dao – Lecturer at ISB Institute, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City posed a question to Mai Viet Khoi – Student from Le Quy Don High School during the presentation and project presentation skills training session. Through 42 cards summarized from the report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) facilitated by enthusiastic trainers from Climate Fresk Vietnam engaged in a learning and sharing activity about climate change. Participants gained a comprehensive understanding of the climate picture, the causes and consequences of human impacts and natural phenomena, and concluded the necessary actions of individuals and communities for the environment.
Ms. Duyen Le – Green Entrepreneur specializing in Digital Transformation and Green Digital Skills, from GreenSys Management Solutions Corporation – along with the participants listened to Vo Hoang Tan Phat – Student from the Faculty of Construction Engineering and Management, International University presented his group’s climate picture.
The climate picture was arranged and decorated in an eye-catching manner by all members of teams GSS2302 and DREAM WEAVERS. The DREAM WEAVERS team included members from the Faculty of Engineering and Construction Management and the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, International University, along with a member from the Faculty of Economics, University of Economics and Finance Ho Chi Minh City. |
