SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT CHALLENGE 2025: EXPANDING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS NATIONWIDE

On April 17, 2025, the launch ceremony for the Sustainability Impact Challenge (SIC) 2025 was held at International University (IU) – VNU-HCM, bringing together representatives from esteemed leading companies such as Bosch Vietnam, Panasonic Vietnam, Rize, and Motul. The competition marks the beginning of a journey to train, connect, and develop green professional capabilities for third-year and above students from universities across the country. 

SIC 2025 is co-organized by RMIT University Vietnam in collaboration with IU – VNU-HCM, University of Social Sciences and Humanities – VNU-HCM, and Vietnamese-German University (VGU). The competition aims to equip students with a holistic sustainability mindset and interdisciplinary problem-solving skills through an innovative educational model that combines academia with corporate practice.

At the launch ceremony, Ms Trinh Thi Anh Phuong – Manager of the Sustainable Development Office at RMIT University Vietnam – stated: “A sustainability mindset is not just an option, but an essential competitive advantage in any field. Through SIC, students are given the opportunity to integrate sustainability into their careers, develop systems thinking, interdisciplinary problem-solving, and innovation – competencies that are increasingly prioritised by employers.”

Ms. Trinh Thi Anh Phuong – Manager of the Sustainable Development Office at RMIT University Vietnam – discusses the role of sustainability mindset in career guidance.

From the initial stage, students will gain foundational knowledge of sustainable development under the guidance of a team of esteemed inter-university lecturers from IU – VNU-HCM, USSH-VNUHCM, Vietnamese-German University (VGU), and Tan Tao University. It is noted that the curriculum is adapted from RMIT Vietnam’s international program. Additionally, students will have the chance to learn about the principles of sustainable systems, applying design thinking and systems analysis to develop solutions for real-world challenges.

The competition is also supported by businesses with strong commitments and outstanding activities in the field of sustainable development, such as Bosch Vietnam, Panasonic Vietnam, Rize, and Motul. In their role as key partners, these companies not only provide real-world challenges but also provide support throughout the competition by participating in panel discussions, sharing expertise, and mentoring students during the solution development phases. Notably, the most promising ideas will be piloted within these enterprises, opening up paid internship opportunities for students.

Representatives from co-organizing universities and corporate partners attend the launch ceremony of SIC 2025.

The competition is expected to attract 200 students, lead to the implementation of 4 practical solutions in partner corporate environments, and create at least 20 internship opportunities for students. Through these efforts, the competition aims to help students apply sustainability knowledge to real-world practice, foster creative thinking, and enhance their problem-solving abilities in various fields.

With the strategic collaboration between major universities and reputable businesses, SIC 2025 is not just an academic competition but also a crucial stepping stone for students to enter the green and sustainable job market. Viable ideas will be further developed in a corporate setting, creating conditions for students to apply a sustainability mindset to their professional fields and expand their career opportunities.

The competition attracted a large number of students interested in sustainable development and green careers.

The Sustainability Impact Challenge (SIC) 2025 is currently accepting applications until May 16, 2025. Students from their third year onwards (having completed at least 5 official semesters) at universities nationwide can register at the official page: Sustainability Impact Challenge 2025 – RMIT University.