On the morning of July 30th, the Da Nang Startup and Innovation Festival – SURF 2025 – officially kicked off with the theme: “Policy Launchpad – Nurturing Unicorns.” This event once again reaffirms Da Nang’s role as a dynamic hub for innovation, technology application, and the development of a robust startup ecosystem in the Central Highlands and across Vietnam.
The Vietnam – UK Institute for Research and Executive Education (VNUK), University of Danang, proudly joins SURF 2025 as a founding member of the Da Nang Innovation Network for Universities and Colleges – officially launched during the event. VNUK’s participation underscores its strong commitment to working alongside other higher education institutions to foster innovation and promote an entrepreneurial spirit among students, faculty, and researchers in the central region.
Global Connection – Knowledge Sharing – Future Shaping
The launch of the Innovation Network is not only a strategic link between academia and industry, but also an opportunity to spread future-focused values of creativity and innovation.
According to the Department of Science and Technology of Da Nang, VNUK is a standout contributor to the city’s innovation ecosystem. With over 60% of its academic programs incorporating technology and innovation, VNUK equips students with advanced knowledge while fostering an entrepreneurial mindset. In 2024, more than 30% of VNUK graduates started their own businesses or joined tech firms in the region, affirming the Institute’s role in supplying high-quality human resources for the Central Highlands.
Innovation Without Limits – Education Rooted in Practice
As one of the pioneering institutions adopting international education models in Central Vietnam, VNUK sees innovation not just as a strategy, but as a core foundation embedded in all training, research, and community engagement activities.
Joining the Innovation Network marks a crucial step in realizing VNUK’s mission: to nurture global citizens who are not only academically competent but also critical thinkers, tech-savvy individuals, and solution-driven change-makers.
At VNUK, each lesson is more than a knowledge transfer – it’s an experiential journey where students are encouraged to question, experiment, and innovate. Every student is seen as a “seed of change,” holding the potential to make meaningful contributions to their communities, country, and the world.
Empowering Students Through Entrepreneurship
At SURF 2025, VNUK is not only showcasing ideas, but also presenting applied research products and innovation models that have been tested in real-world contexts.
From shrimp feed powder to paper recycling solutions, and from student-led business projects to sustainable designs, VNUK demonstrates the power of research tied to life and an unceasing spirit of innovation:
- BINKS – Natural Paints for a Sustainable Future
Inks and paints extracted from surplus vegetables help reduce organic waste and promote green living in the creative community. - TOM Probiotics – A Biotech Solution for Aquaculture
This biological product cleans water, boosts immunity, and protects shrimp digestive systems using beneficial probiotics – free of antibiotics and pollution. - HOPE – Upcycled Materials, Inspired Green Living
Discarded milk cartons and other materials are transformed into handcrafted art, encouraging recycling awareness and sustainable creativity. - Recycled 3D Printing Filament – A Green Step in Design and Production
Used PET bottles are recycled into 3D printing materials, pioneering a sustainable path aligned with the circular economy model.
VNUK’s booth at SURF 2025 serves as a “startup transmission station” – a place where potential ideas meet experts, investors, and a vibrant innovation community seeking transformative solutions.
SURF 2025 is an annual event organized by the Department of Science and Technology of Da Nang, featuring more than 30 partner organizations, dozens of international investment funds, nearly 200 exhibition booths, hundreds of promising startups, and a series of expert-led seminars and panel discussions. It is a vital forum that bridges startups with investors, specialists, and businesses both locally and globally, aiming to build a sustainable innovation ecosystem in Da Nang.
Contact Information
- Institution Name: Vietnam – UK Institute for Research and Executive Education (VNUK), School Code: DDV
- Address: 158A Le Loi Street, Hai Chau District, Da Nang City
- Website: vnuk.udn.vn
- Admissions Page: https://tuyensinh.vnuk.udn.vn/
- Hotline & Zalo: 0905 55 66 54
- Email: admission@vnuk.edu.vn
