The seminar was attended by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Thi Thu Huong - Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities; Dr. Dinh Tien Hieu - Deputy Head of the Department of Politics and Student Affairs; Dr. Ta Bich Ngoc - Secretary of the Youth Union; and Mr. Duong Tat Thanh - President of the Student Association of the University.
The seminar featured presentations and contributions from three reputable speakers: Ms. Luu Thi Hoa - Director of Po My Agricultural, Forestry and General Trade Service Cooperative, Deputy Head of the Luong Dinh Cua National Network, former student of the Faculty of International Studies - University of Social Sciences and Humanities - VNU Hanoi; Mr. Phan Quoc Dung - Founder and Communications Director of Gu Candles, author of the books "Okay, Let's Fly" and "365 Days of Self-Embracing"; and student Khuat Thanh Mai - Deputy Head of SurE - Startup Networking Club; Top 24 of the VNU Innovation Startup 2021 competition, Co-founder and Head of Human Resources - Reditex Company.
In particular, the auditorium on the 8th floor of building E was filled with the enthusiastic atmosphere of nearly 200 students from various faculties/institutes across the university.
Associate Professor Dang Thi Thu Huong - Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU Hanoi, shared that the seminar will provide USSH students with many new experiences and lessons on entrepreneurship from successful alumni.
In her opening remarks at the seminar, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Thi Thu Huong - Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, emphasized: “Entrepreneurship is the aspiration of many young people, including VNU-USSH students. Many generations of students from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, have achieved success in building their own businesses. By preparing students with good professional knowledge and soft skills through a variety of elective courses, the university also accompanies them in opening opportunities to meet and learn from CEOs and successful entrepreneurs. The university will be the cradle to nurture their dreams and aspirations on their entrepreneurial journey.”
The Vice Rector of the university was delighted that the seminar was attended by alumni and current students of VNU-USSH, individuals who have found their own paths and achieved success. It is these alumni who have inspired generations of students at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities to confidently cultivate and realize their entrepreneurial dreams.
The seminar received attention from teachers from various departments of the school.
Guest speakers at the seminar "GenZ Entrepreneurship: To Succeed, Don't Fear Failure," organized by the Youth Union of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU Hanoi.
VNU-USSH students enthusiastically participated in mini-games and Q&A sessions with the speakers.
From zero to success on the entrepreneurial journey with local agricultural products.The story begins with the "boring" days of a stressful desk job at a company. After a period of working in an office, Ms. Luu Thi Hoa decided to quit her job to find her own path. The specialty products of her hometown, Ha Giang, inspired her greatly. With the meager capital she had saved from working, Ms. Luu Thi Hoa decided to establish a business selling unique local products. However, the initial enthusiasm of a young person was met with many setbacks due to unsatisfactory products and a dwindling number of buyers. Ms. Hoa was deeply troubled by this.
From her mother's disheartened words, "Maybe you should stop!" and the image of her mother meticulously picking up the broken pieces of the finished product, Hoa regained her spirits, knowing that behind every step she took was her family.
Ms. Luu Thi Hoa - Director of Po My Agricultural, Forestry and General Commercial Services Cooperative, and former student of the Faculty of International Studies, shared her experiences with students of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi.
Ms. Luu Thi Hoa's peppermint honey product possesses distinctive regional characteristics, leveraging the cultural advantages of Ha Giang province. However, to differentiate her product from other local specialty businesses, she dedicated significant time and effort to researching a new production model. Accordingly, her peppermint honey is sourced entirely from beekeeping households belonging to ethnic minorities, utilizing a long beekeeping period and high-tech methods to retain over 90% of the essential peppermint oil's nutrients. Through meticulous research into technology to deliver the best possible product to customers, her products have gradually won the hearts of consumers.
Learn valuable lessons from studying abroad to start your own business upon returning home.This is the story of Phan Quoc Dung about his time studying and experiencing life as an international student in Copenhagen, Sweden. Sensing the global trend of "healing," especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, Dung came up with the idea of producing scented candles to sell in Vietnam.
Mr. Phan Quoc Dung and his inspiring stories for VNU-USSH students.
Not every path to success is paved with roses. From the initial idea to bringing the product to market and making it known to consumers, Mr. Dung also faced many difficulties. This included bringing the mindset and perspective of another country to Vietnam, a country with its own unique traditions and culture. Mr. Dung also shared the challenges and opportunities when competing with the "big players" in the market, emphasizing that startups need to find niche markets to develop strategic products. By choosing a path where they have the most knowledge and understanding, seizing opportunities, and possessing the spirit of "if you want to succeed, don't be afraid of failure," students will find their way to success.
"The entrepreneurial spirit is still burning brightly like candles fanning the flames in our souls" – that's the spirit that Dung inspired in over 200 VNU-USSH students at the seminar.
From university startup competitions to lessons learned from practical experience.Khuat Thanh Mai is a familiar name to USSH students, having been among the Top 24 of the VNU Innovation Startup 2021 competition and a member of the second-place team in the VNU Innovation Startup 2022 competition. Thanh Mai shared that these were the first steps in helping her, a K65 student from the Sociology Faculty, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU, hone her knowledge from two elective courses on entrepreneurship at VNU-USSH. However, the third-year student faced difficulties in identifying her target customers and a product that would meet market demands. Her experiences, learning, and determination with her startup idea have brought Thanh Mai initial successes.
Thanh Mai and her friends have discovered innovative, green products that utilize "electronic waste" to recycle into sustainable, eco-friendly items. Thanh Mai's products have been well-received by customers, a reward for the passion of this young woman born in 2002.
Student Khuat Thanh Mai – a familiar figure to USSH students.
What advantages and challenges do students from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi face in entrepreneurship?"Many people think that students in the Social Sciences and Humanities have fewer advantages and opportunities for entrepreneurship; however, reality proves otherwise."
VNU-USSH students"There are many advantages in the startup process." This was shared by Ms. Luu Thi Hoa and other guests at the seminar.
So what are the advantages of VNU-USSH students when entering the startup world? They possess a strong foundation in market research and analysis, honed through various methods developed in coursework, group assignments, essays, research projects, and graduation theses. Furthermore, several entrepreneurship courses have fostered and stimulated the creativity of VNU-USSH students, with courses such as Creative Thinking and Idea Design, and Entrepreneurship being particularly popular and engaging. Another valuable skill of VNU-USSH students is their strong writing ability, highly valued by businesses for creating content to promote and market startup products.
Students at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, have many advantages that are equipped for them from the moment they sit in the classroom.
Ms. Luu Thi Hoa shared that VNU-USSH students possess high social empathy, a keen interest in people, and sensitivity to social issues. This, coupled with the strong development of scientific research during their studies, has helped students of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU Hanoi, develop effective business solutions. In particular, the annual entrepreneurship competitions, scientific research awards organized by the university, and the VNU Innovation Startup competition for VNU Hanoi students, provide a solid foundation for nurturing students' entrepreneurial aspirations.
"However, USSH students need to further cultivate their knowledge of business administration to develop effective startup models," said the Director of Po My Agricultural, Forestry and General Commercial Services Cooperative.
The seminar "GenZ Entrepreneurship: To Succeed, Don't Fear Failure" is not only a place to meet, exchange, and share lessons learned from the entrepreneurial journey of former students, but also a place to connect generations of students from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in a USSHer network to collaborate and succeed together.
