VNUK – A Unique University in the Heart of Da Nang
In the heart of Vietnam’s most livable city lies a quiet yet determined university, nurturing a new generation of young people who dream big and dare to make it happen.
One of them is Tran Nhan Kiet, a second-year Biomedical Science student at the Vietnam – UK Institute for Research and Executive Education (VNUK), University of Danang.
Once known as “the lab guy” with a deep passion for research, Kiet won VNUK’s prestigious scholarship right from his first year. But few expected that, just two years into university, he would become the CEO of BINKS JSC – an innovative startup he founded – already earning multiple national and international awards.
BINKS – From Food Waste to International Awards
BINKS was born from a surprisingly simple idea: turning discarded vegetables into plant-based ink and paint.
The project was a collaborative effort of students from three VNUK faculties – Science & Technology, Information Technology & Communications, and Economics & Business – under the guidance of dedicated lecturers, especially Assoc. Prof. Dr. Giang Thi Kim Lien, VNUK Vice Director.
The team developed a safe, chemical-free production process that is six times more efficient and significantly cheaper than conventional products.
The two VNUK teams, BINKS and BCDTI, won First Prize and Consolation Prize at the SV-Startup 2024 competition.
No longer just a lab project, BINKS quickly expanded beyond the campus – from winning second prize at SURF, first prize at the SV-Startup 2024 competition, to securing international recognition in South Korea and other global innovation events.
Learning Not Just to Know… But to Create
Kiet’s transformation was not only the result of his own determination but also the product of VNUK’s international and interdisciplinary learning environment.
VNUK doesn’t chase rankings or flashy titles. Instead, it quietly builds a strong foundation for its students – where every student is known by name, where lecturers remember your research topic, and where learning always comes with the question: “How will you apply this in real life?”
The Vietnam – UK Institute for Research and Executive Education (VNUK) offers multidisciplinary and cross-field training programs.
The curriculum covers diverse fields – from Biomedical Science, Biotechnology, Data Science, and AI to International Business and Hospitality Management. This multi-disciplinary approach gives VNUK students an edge in today’s fast-changing world.
VNUK – The Place You Start, to Go Far
BINKS is still growing, and Kiet’s story is just one of many inspiring journeys at VNUK.
Like Huynh Ngoc Minh Thi, a Biomedical Science alumna who earned a full master’s scholarship at the University of Cambridge and a PhD scholarship at the University of Oxford.
Or Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhan, a Data Science alumna who recently won both the Erasmus Mundus and Eiffel Excellence scholarships – two of the most prestigious in Europe.
VNUK Alumni Achieve Remarkable Success
Many students choose VNUK not only for its “hot” majors but also for its opportunities for exchange programs and study abroad pathways. Later, if someone asks, “What is VNUK?”, you might just smile and say: “It’s where I started… and from there, I went far.”
Every generation dreams differently. For Gen Z, the dream isn’t to be the best in the world – it’s to do what we truly believe in.
Kiet started with an idea no one else had. VNUK gave that idea a chance to come to life. Your journey may not be the same as Kiet’s – but it could start in the very same place.
Learn more about VNUK: https://vnuk.udn.vn/
VNUK – A University in the Heart of Da Nang with a Distinctive Identity
