ULSA II STUDENTS SHINE, WINNING TOP AWARDS AT CHRISTINA NOBLE PROGRAM'S SOCIAL BUSINESS PROJECT FINALS

On April 19, 2025, at the HCMC Youth Picnic Area (Rung Sac, Can Gio), the Final Round - Social Business Impact Project Presentation and Scholarship Graduation Ceremony, second cohort of the Christina Noble Education Program 2024, took place for 87 students from CNCF's partner universities, including 15 students from Campus II, University of Labour and Social Affairs (ULSA).

The main focus of the Ceremony was the presentation by the 5 teams that reached the Final Round after two previous challenging rounds.

Team 11 with the ReNu Platform project - A solution for exchanging resources and skills through the ReNuPoints credit system. ReNu was conceived from the aspiration for green living and environmental action – and that journey began with the CNCF Scholarship, where we were inspired, trained, and connected to turn ideas into reality.

The team includes members: Mai Thi Ngoc, Pham Minh Tuan (Faculty of Business Administration) and Tran Thi My Duyen, Pham Vu Thuc Han (Faculty of Human Resource Management) – from the University of Labour and Social Affairs - Campus II, along with 3 other students from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH), University of Health Sciences, and University of Economics and Law (UEL), all in HCMC.

The ReNu project is an online platform helping users exchange resources like unused items, old belongings, or personal skills through the ReNuPoints credit system.

The project's platform offers two main solutions: item exchange, where users can post and trade items they no longer use; and skill sharing, where participants learn from and teach skills to each other, simultaneously accumulating credit points to exchange for other services.

The project's benefits for individuals include cost savings, development of new skills, and effective use of free time; for the community, it promotes a spirit of sharing, reduces resource waste, and builds a sustainable connection network.

After Round 1, the ReNu Project achieved an "Impressive Top 3" ranking.

Team 11 with the ReNu project – Impressive Top 3 in Round 1

After Round 2, Team 11 was one of the 5 teams to enter the Final Round.

Team 11 with the ReNu project in Round 2

Team 5 with the ReNu project in the Final Round

Team 5 with the ReNu project answering questions from the Judging Panel

Finally, Team 11 excellently made it to the Top 3 with the title “Best In Sustainable Development”!

Team 11 with the ReNu project enters Top 3 with the title “Best in Sustainable Development”

Team 5 with the dedicated 7-TravelGreen Project - Currently, in highland and remote areas where ethnic minority communities live, life difficulties lead many people to leave their hometowns for the cities. This results in underdeveloped local economies and the gradual fading of their unique cultural identities. To address this issue, the project provides and develops sustainable community-based tours right in the areas of ethnic minority people, which will help preserve culture and improve the quality of life for the ethnic minority people here. Initially, the project is implemented in Soc Bom Bo, Binh Phuoc province, where the Stieng ethnic people reside. The Project members hope to transfer technology and community tourism experience to the local people themselves and coordinate with local authorities to promote this green and sustainable tourism.

The team consists of 7 members, including 2 students from ULSA2: Mai Chi Thang and Nguyen Thi Hong Anh (Psychology major), along with 4 other students from USSH HCMC and 1 student from UEL HCMC.

The benefits brought by the Project include regional economic development for ethnic minority communities coupled with environmental protection; preservation and promotion of cultural values; and providing unique and interesting experiences for tour participants.

The project includes 3 tours: "Hat gao Bombo" (Bom Bo Rice Grain), "Tieng chay tren soc Bom Bo" (The Sound of the Pestle in Soc Bom Bo), and "Thanh am dai ngan" (Sounds of the Great Forest). It also helps locals sell "lá nhíp" - a distinctive wild vegetable from Binh Phuoc, to increase their income.

The project idea originated from young people who love culture, experiences, and exploration. The team wishes to use the members' expertise (psychology, social work, information systems) to build a tourism project supporting ethnic minority communities and introduce indigenous culture and people to more young individuals.

The social impact and mission of the project are human-centered, integrating natural resources, economy, and culture for development. Within this, the economy has not yet optimally utilized resources for growth. Furthermore, the project supports and guides indigenous people to develop their economy independently.

The project's unique selling points include a refund policy for dissatisfied customers; application of Information Technology to optimize tour booking for customers; and empowering local people to manage and profit from the project.

After Round 2, Team 5 was one of the 5 teams to enter the Final Round.

Team 5 with the 7-TravelGreen project in Round 2 - Audience Favorite

Team 5 with the 7-TravelGreen project at the Final Round

Team 5 with the 7-TravelGreen project answering questions from the Judging Panel

Finally, Team 5 excellently made it to the Top 3 with the title “Best in Social Impact”!

Team 5 excellently enters Top 3 with the title “Best in Social Impact”

The 87 students from various universities were divided into 12 creative startup project groups. After the first 2 rounds, 5 teams entered the Final Round for ranking to select the 3 most outstanding projects. After the teams presented their projects, the Judging Panel selected 3 Projects that met the criteria set by the Organizing Committee. Among them, 2 teams with ULSA2 students – the ReNu and 7-Travel Green projects – made it to the Top 3. The ReNu Project won the title “Best In Sustainable Development,” and the 7-Travel Green Project won the title “Best in Social Impact”!

The Final Round was extremely lively, dramatic, and highly competitive. With professional support from the Program's mentors, the teams had refined and improved their projects compared to the first two rounds. After the competition, the students have somewhat shaped their ideas for startup and innovation projects, meeting the requirements of being Green – Clean – Sustainable Development./.