Final Round of the “TDTU Student Innovation and Startup Contest for the Academic Year 2025-2026”

On January 8, 2026, Ton Duc Thang University (TDTU) hosted the Final Round of the “TDTU Student Startup Idea Search” Competition for the academic year 2025–2026, with the participation of the Top 12 outstanding projects selected through highly competitive preliminary rounds.

The program was honored by the presence of Ms. Dang Thi Luan, Acting Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Innovation Startup Center, representing an organization that supports and promotes the innovation startup ecosystem. On behalf of TDTU, attendees included Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Son – Vice President of the University; Mr. Tang Khac Quy – Director of the Center for Corporate Relations and Alumni, Head of the Organizing Committee of the Competition; along with leaders of faculties and units, and a large number of TDTU students who came to support and encourage the finalist teams.

In his remarks at the event, Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Son – Vice President of TDTU emphasized: “The University always places great importance on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among students through a wide range of practical activities. The ‘TDTU Student Startup Idea Search’ Competition is not only an academic playground, but also an environment that encourages students to boldly realize their creative ideas and gradually approach real-world startup practices.”

After the Semi-final Round with rigorous evaluation criteria, 12 outstanding teams advanced to the Final Round. Here, teams competed in two components: project presentations and Q&A/defense sessions before the Jury Panel. Through these activities, teams clarified the novelty, feasibility, and development orientation of their startup ideas/projects, while demonstrating creative thinking, reasoning skills, and readiness for real-world implementation.

The finalist teams confidently presented and defended their ideas before the Jury, showcasing their competence, creativity, and strong entrepreneurial aspirations. The startup ideas and projects presented at the Competition clearly reflected the proactive and innovative spirit of TDTU students, while contributing to the identification and nurturing of initiatives and products capable of addressing real community needs.

Final Results:

• First Prize was awarded to the project “Drone-Based System for Local Fine Dust Monitoring and Mapping” by a team from the Faculty of Electrical and Electronics Engineering. The prize included VND 10 million and a full scholarship for an internship and employment program in the Federal Republic of Germany, with a total value of VND 189,000,000, sponsored by Con Duong Thanh Cong Education and Investment Joint Stock Company (Eduwing Global).

• Second Prize went to the project “Nano Bao Sam Hoa Viet” by a team from the Faculty of Pharmacy, with a prize of VND 8 million.

• Third Prize was awarded to the project “PM0.3 Fine Dust Filter Core from PVDF Plastic Tubes Using Electrospinning Technology” by a team from the Faculty of Applied Sciences, with a prize of VND 5 million.

• Two Consolation Prizes were awarded to:
  • “Panduranga Ceramics – Entrepreneurship from Mother Earth” by a team from the Faculty of Business Administration; and
  • “Business of Designed Products from Recycled Nylon Material Applied to Product Shaping in Ho Chi Minh City” by a team from the Faculty of Industrial Fine Arts.
    Each project received VND 3 million.

This year’s Competition continued to affirm its role as an academic platform closely linked to practice, creating opportunities for students to apply their knowledge to entrepreneurial activities, gradually develop innovative thinking, and build the capacity to implement ideas. The Competition also serves as an important source of motivation, helping to spread the entrepreneurial spirit among students and demonstrating the University’s strong commitment to accompanying and supporting students on their journey to nurture and realize creative ideas.

The finalist teams took commemorative photos with the TDTU Board of Management and the Organizing Committee of the Competition.