On August 28th, the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park, of the Ministry of Science and Technology, teamed up with DTU to organize the 3rd Science and Technology Forum, which attracted businesses, young scientists, and students. The highlight was a startup contest, where enthusiastic students could showcase their ideas and startup products. DTU students won one first, one second, and one third prize.
The forum had been previously held twice in Hanoi and once in Ho Chi Minh City and is recognized for creating a lively study and research environment. Experts can share their inspirations, entrepreneurial experiences and ambitions with the students, motivate them to refine and commercialize their products and attract investors. The objective is to increase the efficiency of the business startup process.
Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park signs an agreement to develop Danang’s startup ecosystem
“I am really happy to be in Danang again,” said Mr. Tran Ba Hau, Deputy-Director of the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park,
“Danang deserves to be recognized as the quintessential startup city, because of its youthful spirit fueled by effective local government investment. We believe that the 3rd Science and Technology Forum and the Startup UniTour at DTU will provide young people involved in Information Technology a good opportunity to meet, exchange ideas and explore business partnerships.”
Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park, the Danang Business Incubator and DTU agreed to work together to develop an innovative startup ecosystem in Danang. The “Building Danang Startup City” talk show was broadcast at the forum, with Mr. Ly Dinh Quan, Deputy-Director of the Danang Business Incubator and Mr. Nguyen Lam Thanh, Director of the Science and Technology Board, the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park Management Board and Vice-Chairman of the Digital Communication Association. Business executives talked about their experiences starting successful new companies and how to plan to turn Danang into a Startup City.
Young people visit the exhibition booths
At the forum, twenty prize-winning quality startup products were showcased at their booths, with ten from universities and colleges. DTU exhibited six of these: 1) Highly-productive clean shrimp farming, with no water replacement, 2) A robot that automatically inspects weld defects in ship hulls, 3) The smart vegetable garden project - Smart Garden, 4) An automatic cocktail-mixing machine, 5) A project to make glasses for the blind, and 6) A smart condom dispenser.
Despite strong competition, DTU won the biggest prizes. First prize went to the IWRobot team, with students Le Quang Thanh and Nguyen Manh Tuan, with “A robot that automatically inspects weld defects in ship hulls”. Second prize was awarded to the SmartGlasses team, with Le Nhat Hung, Nguyen Tran Viet Chuong and Nguyen Manh Tuan, with “A project to make glasses for the blind”, and a third prize was captured by Phan Hong Sang and Nguyen Dang Minh Hung, with “ A smart garden”.
Startup products by DTU students win first, second and third prizes
“We are happy that the judges appreciated our product for its feasibility and commercial potential,” said Le Quang Thanh.
“Our product resulted from extensive research, the application of new technologies and the ability of our entire group to invest in and master innovative new research techniques. Our product checks the quality of ship welds more accurately and efficiently, saving time and money and creates a safer and more professional work environment. We thank DTU for supporting us financially, with the infrastructure and technology to develop and produce this valuable and useful product.”
Distinguished Teacher Le Cong Co, DTU President and Provost, said “Entrepreneurship is not jump-on-the-bandwagon development but an intellectual investment, with universities at the focal point. Students study in an academic environment where they enhance their knowledge and skills in order to realize their startup ideas. Investing in startups should not be considered as a risky investment, because it is also investing in humanity, so that future generations can work together to accelerate economic development. We thoroughly understand this and DTU has already invested in the development of a dozen student startup groups with many different ideas and highly innovative products. They have been awarded prizes for their effectiveness and practicality in national and international contests. I hope that this ‘Third Science and Technology Forum’ at DTU, will enable interaction within the startup community and inspire ideas for new startup products to be expediently applied in our daily lives to contribute to the strengthening of the economic development of our nation.”
(Media Center)