Da Nang: "Incubating" the spirit of entrepreneurship

At some universities in Da Nang, many groups of students - talented "young inventors" are building small "incubator" models, creating many useful products for the community.

Where ideas take off

DUT MAKER INNOVATION SPACE is a “playground” for some students of the BK-Maker club, Danang University of Technology. Nguyen Tran Duc Thinh, a student of the Chemistry department, said that the club is a place for people with the same passion to develop design thinking, create new projects to serve the community. The unique point is that students of each course will “catch” themselves in groups to discuss and solve “problems” for the projects.

According to Mr. Ngo Dinh Thanh, lecturer of the Faculty of Electricity, Da Nang University of Technology, with their knowledge, the students have created products that are useful to the community and highly humane. This is a place to connect students from different majors but collaborate to create different products. Many products have been well received by the community such as: automatic sterilizers, remote-controlled robots for quarantine areas, rehabilitation gloves, shirts for autistic children...

Students "test run" a product at the DUT MAKER INNOVATION SPACE (Danang University of Technology)

To develop the student startup model, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Huu Hieu, Principal of Da Nang University of Technology, said that the unit has included subjects related to innovation and startups in the training program, aiming to equip basic knowledge. During the learning process, in addition to continuously organizing conferences for students to present scientific research, the faculties also established clubs on innovation and startups to support students in creating products right at school. In particular, establishing an innovation space to exchange ideas, build the first demo... The unit also has a laboratory for students to build complete products to participate in competitions, or start a business. In addition, the school also has more than 10 technology transfer centers, where teachers transfer new research ideas.

Support for innovation

Associate Professor, Dr. Le Quang Son, Vice President of Danang University, acknowledged that to promote innovative startups, it is necessary to form an entrepreneurial spirit, entrepreneurial capacity and find sources of support for students' activities. To do so, Danang University has integrated startup and innovation content into subjects and teaching programs in the form of extracurricular activities through clubs, scientific research, etc. As a result, Danang University students have widely participated in startup competitions and activities. Right at the upcoming Danang Innovation and Startup Festival - SURF 2024, 3 out of 10 reported projects are from Danang University students. In addition, the competition organizers have invited businesses and departments to consult to connect with external resources, "supporting" students. In 2023 alone, Danang University spent more than 100 million VND to reward high achievements in scientific research competitions, encouraging students to be creative.

The role of universities is becoming increasingly important in scientific research, technology development and cooperation with the business sector to commercialize and apply scientific and technological results. According to a survey by the Department of Science and Technology of Da Nang City, there are about 10 clubs at universities in Da Nang City, mainly connecting and organizing competitions to arouse passion and challenge students about innovative startups.

Ms. Le Thi Thuc, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Da Nang City, said that in Resolution No. 136 of the National Assembly, which was just passed on June 26, 2024 on the organization of urban government and piloting a number of specific mechanisms and policies for the development of Da Nang City, there is a policy to support innovative start-up projects. Thereby, supporting projects with ideas in the pre-incubation, incubation and acceleration stages to perfect technology; supporting businesses to develop products and expand markets.

Mr. Le Duc Vien, Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Da Nang City, informed that Da Nang's innovative startup brand has been honored continuously for 3 years. The Global Innovation Startup Ranking Organization has rated Da Nang as one of 3 localities in Vietnam (after Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi) to be included in the global innovation startup ranking list. This is a great honor when Da Nang has all the elements of a complete ecosystem.

XUAN QUYNH

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/da-nang-uom-tao-tinh-than-khoi-nghiep-post756563.html