16 TEAMS COMPETE IN THE FINAL ROUND OF THE “SUSTAINABLE SOCIETY CHALLENGE 2025”

On the morning of October 18, 2025, International University (IU) – Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, officially held the “Sustainable Society Challenge 2025.” Building on the success of the 2023 edition, the competition  was relaunched and expanded to include all middle and high school students nationwide. This marks the third consecutive year the contest has been organized on a national scale.

The “Sustainable Society Challenge” aims to create a positive and engaging platform that encourages connection and collaboration among students across various educational levels.  It also aims at providing students with greater exposure to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and valuable knowledge related to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This year’s contest places particular emphasis on environmental issues, encouraging students to propose practical, high-impact solutions to real-world challenges in  schools and communities.

Contestants delivered their group presentations during the Final Round of the 3rd Sustainable Society Challenge (SSC) 2025.

This year, participating teams consisted of 4 to 6 members (3 to 5 students and 1 teacher advisor) who guided and supported the team throughout the contest. The competition ran until October 2025.

Now in its third year, SSC 2025 proudly attracted nearly 500 students and teacher mentors from secondary and high schools across Vietnam — including Ho Chi Minh City, Đồng Tháp, Đồng Nai, Vĩnh Long, Tây Ninh, and even the Phú Quý special region from Lâm Đồng province. 89 teams registered to compete in total (52 high school and 37 secondary school teams).

Judges provided feedback and posed questions to the finalist teams on the morning of October 19, 2025.

Each competing team was tasked with identifying an environmental issue — or a broader challenge impacting the sustainable development of their community — that is currently happening in the area where they live or study. From there, they were to propose highly applicable and practical solutions to help improve the issue, all under the main theme: “For a Green and Sustainable Community.” Students could register until August 3, 2025, and submit their project reports — formatted according to the guidelines provided by the Organizing Committee — by August 30, 2025.

Contest teams presented their projects and defended their ideas before the judging panel, showcasing their dedication, creativity, and problem-solving spirit.

After passing the preliminary round — where project presentations and evaluation criteria were developed based on materials from Social Business Creation (HEC Montréal University, Canada), the Active Citizen program (British Council), and the Global RCE Network — 20 outstanding projects from both the lower and upper secondary school divisions advanced to the semi-final stage. Here, teams refined their project reports and presented them before the Judging Panel to select the top 8 finalists who competed in the Grand Finale on October 18, 2025, held in person at International University (IU), VNU-HCM.

The Green Day team – High School for the Gifted, VNU-HCM – received the First Prize (High School Division) from Mr. Nguyễn Bảo Quốc, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, along with the competition sponsors.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Đinh Đức Anh Vũ, Vice President of IU and Co-Chair of the Organizing Committee, shared: “Through this competition, we hope that students can cultivate innovative thinking and deepen their awareness of environmental and social issues in the communities where they live and study. Beyond that, we want to enhance their understanding of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations.” He also emphasized: “The journey toward a sustainable society begins with empathy — a spark that comes from the hearts of the students themselves.”

Mr. Nguyễn Bảo Quốc – Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training and Dr. Trần Thị Ngọc Diệp – Head of the Center for Innovation and Technology Transfer, International University – on behalf of the Organizing Committee, presented the First Prize (Lower Secondary Division) to the team Grease to Grace – Vinschool Central Park.

With the surge in the number of registered participants this year, the Organizing Committee decided to double the value of the prizes so that each competition division would receive equal awards, including 02 First Prizes, 02 Second Prizes, 02 Third Prizes, 04 Consolation Prizes, 06 Promising Project Awards, and 02 Audience Choice Awards for the top 8 finalists. The program promises to be an academic playground that provides more knowledge about the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, while helping lower and upper secondary students practice soft skills, critical thinking, and confidence.

This year’s competition also received continuous support from the Gold Sponsor – Grok Schools Community, Diamond Sponsors – Y&B Joint Stock Company (Cocoon Vietnam brand) and Natural House Co., Ltd. (July House brand). The Dunin-Deshpande Innovation Centre, Queen’s University (Canada) accompanied the competition with training sessions for participating teams, including “Problem Analysis,” “Design Thinking,” and “Presentation and Debate Skills.”