On the afternoon of 01 March 2026, at VN-UK Institute for Research and Executive Education (VNUK), The University of Danang, the Closing & Award Ceremony of the Innovation Challenge Series – VNUK Innovation Challenge 2026 was held in a formal and inspiring atmosphere, marking the end of a dynamic season across three key competitions: Design Thinking for Human Challenges, VNUK SV.STARTUP, and U-Invent 8.
The event welcomed representatives from city departments and agencies, The University of Danang, VNUK leadership, as well as businesses, investment funds, and mentors in the startup and innovation ecosystem. Notable guests included Mr. Le Cong Hung (Secretary of the Da Nang Youth Union; President of the Da Nang City Student Association), Mr. Pham Tan Ngoc Thuy (Deputy Director, Da Nang Department of Education and Training), Ms. Le Thi Thuc (Deputy Director, Da Nang Department of Science and Technology), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thanh Bac (Deputy Director, The University of Danang), Dr. Huynh Minh Son (Acting Deputy Head, Division of Student Affairs, Corporate Relations & Communications), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Dat (Secretary of the University of Danang Youth Union), and Dr. Do Le Hung Toan (Deputy Secretary of the University of Danang Youth Union; President of the Vietnam National Union of Students – The University of Danang). From VNUK, attendees included Dr. Nguyen Hiep (Director), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Giang Thi Kim Lien (Deputy Director), and Dr. Tran The Vu (Deputy Director). The program also featured the participation of partners such as FUNDGO, DNES, Ecomdy, CAS, BIDV Da Nang Branch, along with the competing student teams taking part in VNUK Innovation Challenge 2026.
Spreading the spirit of action and innovative thinking among young people
In his opening remarks, Dr. Nguyen Hiep, Director of VNUK, emphasized that VNUK Innovation Challenge is not merely a competition series, but an experiential learning journey—where ideas are nurtured, the spirit of initiative is strengthened, and young people learn to address real-world problems with a global mindset and local responsibility. He also highlighted that sustainable innovation requires an ecosystem connecting universities – businesses – investors, enabling promising ideas to go further.
Three flagship competitions conclude a vibrant season
The 2026 season included three competitions: Design Thinking for Human Challenges, VNUK SV.STARTUP, and U-Invent 8. Participation highlights included 120 VNUK students joining the Design Thinking track, nearly 100 high school and university students participating in SV.STARTUP, and U-Invent 8 under the theme “Innovation for Blue-Green Sustainable Future”, promoting sustainable solutions. The season concluded with a total prize value of over VND 100 million.
This year, the project Flow Mask (a fog-prevention mask for glasses wearers) achieved a “double win”, taking First Prize in both Design Thinking for Human Challenges and VNUK SV.STARTUP. In U-Invent 8, First Prize was awarded to a student team from Le Quy Don Specialized High School – Da Nang for a project applying renewable energy to develop a multi-layer water harvesting system serving coastal and island communities.
Partnership signing to expand the startup and innovation support ecosystem
Within the framework of the event, VNUK signed strategic cooperation agreements with key partners, including Da Nang Entrepreneurship Support Co., Ltd. (DNES), Ecomdy Joint Stock Company, FUNDGO Creative Investment Fund, and CAS Control & Automation Solutions Co., Ltd.
These partnerships aim to strengthen connections between the university, businesses, and investment funds; support training, mentoring, and incubation for student projects; and expand access to professional expertise, financial resources, and startup networks for students.
As the competition series comes to a close, VNUK Innovation Challenge 2026 continues to affirm VNUK’s practice-oriented education approach, while laying the foundation for promising ideas and projects to be further supported, refined, and developed in the next phase.
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Information
Institution: VN-UK Institute for Research and Executive Education (School code: DDV)
Address: 158A Le Loi Street, Hai Chau District, Da Nang, Vietnam
Website: vnuk.udn.vn
Admissions portal: tuyensinh.vnuk.udn.vn
Hotline & Zalo: +84 905 55 66 54
Zalo group for 2026 admissions counseling: https://zalo.me/g/qiasdz432
