HUTECH brings research and student innovation to South Korea, winning two international awards
- 04/11/2026
A delegation from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH) brought research and student-led ideas for sustainable development to GLOBAL UNIFORCE 2026 and the NOVETOS CONFERENCE on Jeju Island, South Korea. The delegation earned two awards recognizing achievements in research and innovation.
The HUTECH delegation shares research and ideas for sustainable development at an international forum
Jeju Tourism University hosted the JTU Global Learncation Conference 2026 from October 26 to 30 under the theme “The Symbiotic Era: Aligning AI, Nature, and Human Ethos.”
The program featured two events. GLOBAL UNIFORCE 2026 was an international competition where students developed startup ideas drawing on Jeju’s local resources, tourism, culture, and environment, as well as applications of AI. The NOVETOS CONFERENCE 2026 brought together faculty members and researchers to discuss entrepreneurship education, local innovation, the Learncation model, research collaboration, and future workforce development.
The HUTECH delegation included Nguyen Xuan Hung, Director of the Vietnam-Japan Institute of Technology (VJIT), and two student teams, WINX CLUB and CORNESS. The delegation shared perspectives on education for sustainable development, the use of AI in tourism, and ways to turn agricultural byproducts into products that reflect local culture.
 |
 |
At the NOVETOS CONFERENCE 2026, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Hung presented research on how project design education can help students develop a balanced understanding of sustainability. The study examined two courses, “Project Design Thinking” and “Innovation and Entrepreneurial Thinking,” during the 2025-2026 academic year. Student projects addressed topics such as green living, physical and mental well-being, sustainable tourism, and agritourism. The findings showed that project topics and teaching methods influenced how students engaged with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and considered the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainability.
The study found that even when students worked on an environmentally focused topic, they still needed guidance to consider all three dimensions. It recommended embedding the SDGs more fully into the curriculum and teaching students to assess impacts and weigh trade-offs across the three dimensions as they develop solutions. This approach helps students apply what they learn about sustainability to practical problems while developing systems thinking, creativity, and a sense of responsibility to their communities.
 |
 |
At GLOBAL UNIFORCE 2026, WINX CLUB presented “VietLens: Explore Vietnam Through Local Eyes with AI.” The team designed an AI-powered platform that uses multilingual content to tailor cultural itineraries to travelers’ interests, schedules, and budgets. The proposal also uses QR codes and digital labels in traditional markets so visitors can check prices and product origins, pay digitally, and connect with vendors. By combining technology with local knowledge and clearer product information, the team aims to improve the visitor experience, create business opportunities for vendors, preserve local culture, and support sustainable tourism in Ho Chi Minh City.
CORNESS presented “Turning Corncobs and Citrus Byproducts into Sustainable Souvenirs,” a project developed in the “Innovation and Entrepreneurial Thinking” course. The idea grew out of a challenge in Xuan Phu Commune, Dong Nai Province, where the students explored ways to reuse discarded corncobs. The team adapted the concept for Jeju Island, using corncobs and tangerine peels to make eco-friendly coasters. Visitors can make and decorate their own coasters and take them home as souvenirs. The project brings together local materials, people, and stories, with QR codes that let visitors trace the materials’ origins and a multilingual AI assistant called CORA. The team aims to reduce agricultural waste, create income opportunities for local residents, and bring circular economy practices into tourism.
HUTECH students present their ideas at GLOBAL UNIFORCE 2026
Mr. Nguyen Xuan Hung receives the Outstanding Researcher Award at the NOVETOS CONFERENCE 2026
Team CORNESS wins the Gold Award at GLOBAL UNIFORCE 2026 for its product made from agricultural byproducts
The HUTECH delegation earned two awards at the event. Nguyen Xuan Hung received the Outstanding Researcher Award at the NOVETOS CONFERENCE, and team CORNESS won the Gold Award at GLOBAL UNIFORCE 2026. The awards highlight how HUTECH faculty and students are applying research and creative thinking to practical challenges, from teaching sustainability to finding new uses for agricultural waste.
News: Gia Hân
Photo: Department of International Relations and Project Management
Communication Center
Other news
[NEW DATES ANNOUNCED] The 2nd HUTECH Global Camp 2026
Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH) is pleased to announce the opening of applications for The 2nd HUTECH Global Camp, themed...
HUTECH strengthens ties with China Medical University in health sciences education and research
As part of its efforts to expand international collaboration in medicine, a leadership delegation from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology...
HUTECH explores new perspectives on sustainable tourism in its 2026-2027 Online Expert Talk Series
Behind a traditional food product are the people who make a living from it, the local knowledge that goes into making it, and the cultural values...
HUTECH and Nova Scotia Community College advance partnership to expand study and internship opportunities in Canada
Scholarships, joint academic programs, and paid internships in Canada were the focus of an October 30 meeting between Ho Chi Minh City University...
HUTECH ranks 289th in Asia and 66th in Southeast Asia in the QS Asia University Rankings 2027
Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH) ranked 289th in Asia and 66th in Southeast Asia, while retaining its position as Vietnam’s sixth...
HUTECH partners with Chang Gung University to expand medical learning opportunities in Taiwan, China
On October 29, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH) visited Chang Gung University (CGU) in Taiwan, China, for a meeting and signed a...