Nurturing the desire to start a business

Since 2016, the University of Economics, the University of Danang has connected with Cork Institute of Technology and the Irish Aid Foundation (funded by the Government of the Republic of Ireland) to implement a project to incubate the school startup ecosystem. Accordingly, every year, the university organizes "Startup Runway" contests for students of member universities of the University of Danang, then expands it to universities in the Central - Central Highlands region, inspiring students to unleash their creativity and entrepreneurship.

According to Vice-Rector of the University of Economics - Le Van Huy, the slogan "Inspire Our Sustainable Future" conveys the message that the school focuses on cultivating the spirit of creativity and entrepreneurship for students right in the classroom. The school proactively pioneered the introduction of Entrepreneurship into the main training program, helping students access knowledge and skills about entrepreneurship at the early stage. From there, the University arouses students' potential, incubates ideas and start-up projects in the future. “Through many activities and useful academic playgrounds, students can hone their bravery and soft skills to be more dynamic and practical and understand how to create their own future and contribute to the benefit of the community," affirmed by teacher Le Van Huy.

The University of Economics supports students' entrepreneurial aspirations from the annual playground "Startup Runway". (Photo provided by the school, taken before the time of Covid-19)

The startup ecosystem of the University of Economics is also fostered by connecting and cooperating with many partners such as Young Business Association, Da Nang Business Incubator, or successful alumni. Experts and entrepreneurs directly come to the university to share their experiences, knowledge, and skills and are ready to serve as mentors for start-up student groups.

 In addition, the school also creates conditions for students to combine interdisciplinary and inter-university, thereby having enough interdisciplinary knowledge, tools to develop startup projects based on applications and smart devices. The experience from these playgrounds is really a lesson to practice bravery, helping students know what they are missing so that when they graduate from school, they can "light the fire" to start a business without faltering in the face of difficulties.

Thanks to these efforts, many students of the school have achieved success. Most recently, the Clown Lord group (Faculty of International Business) has just won the first prize in the national competition "Business Simulation" of Cesim Elite Technology Group (Finland), thereby honored to receive the only ticket to attend the International Final round – 2021. In addition, Mr. Pham Nhu Anh, a former student of the university, currently a member of the Board of Directors, a leader in the Executive Board of Military Bank (MB) successfully presided over the Smart RM project related to intelligent sales management, making a mark on the journey of making MB become a pioneering digital bank, reaching international level.

Le Uyen Nhi (class 43K16, Faculty of Finance) when she was a first-year student, opened a company producing and trading in cosmetics of natural origin. Thanks to both studying and working, Nhi gradually accumulated experience and achieved initial results when the brand was popular and its sales increased rapidly.

The development strategy for Da Nang city to become a "Startup Innovation Center" of national and international stature is really a new breeze, blowing up the entrepreneurial aspirations for students of the University of Economics in particular and the member universities of the University of Danang In general. They can do many meaningful things, bringing useful values ​​not only to themselves but also towards serving the community, inspiring innovation, and start-ups.

Watch on Da Nang electronic newspaper:  

https://baodanang.vn/channel/5411/202107/boi-dap-khat-vong-khoi-nghiep-3884707/