Students and ESG Initiatives: Aspiring for a Sustainable Future

On the evening of March 27, the grand finale of the “Students and ESG Initiatives” competition took place in an exciting and dynamic atmosphere. The event brought together the top six teams from three prestigious institutions: the School of Economics, Hanoi University of Industry (HaUI); the University of Economics and Business Administration, Thai Nguyen University; and the Academy of Policy and Development.

After a series of compelling presentations, the Ecoban team from the School of Economics, HaUI, was awarded First Prize for their outstanding performance and innovative ESG project.

The Second Prize went to two teams: The Amigos team (School of Economics, HaUI) and the FBF team (University of Economics and Business Administration, Thai Nguyen University).

The Third Prize was awarded to three teams: The Empower team (Academy of Policy and Development), the T-Green team (School of Economics, HaUI), and the Green Synergy (School of Economics, HaUI).

Speaking at the event, Dr. Vu Đinh Khoa, Vice-Rector of the School of Economics, HaUI, emphasized: “ESG is not just a trend; it is a vital part of the strategic development of modern businesses and organizations. Through this competition, students can develop innovative thinking, apply their knowledge to real-life challenges, and contribute to spreading initiatives for a sustainable future. The outstanding ideas presented will not end here, but will continue to be nurtured, expanded, and realized in practice.”

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, Director of the Banking Staff Training School and Standing Deputy Head of the ESG Steering Committee at Agribank, who closely followed the competition from the early rounds, was impressed by the energy, sharp thinking, and creativity of the student teams.

“The students didn’t just bring groundbreaking ideas; they also showcased strong analytical skills, research capabilities, and professional presentation techniques. Each project holds real development potential and can positively impact if implemented and improved. This competition is more than a playground - it is a platform to foster responsibility toward the community and environment, which are core to sustainable business strategy today”, Ms. Ha stated.

Each team brought a unique perspective and project idea to the stage:

Ecoban (School of Economics, HaUI), the First Prize winner, made a strong impression with their green economic solution derived from the banana industry. Their project focused on transforming agricultural by-products - specifically banana waste - into valuable resources, contributing to a circular economy and promoting sustainable, green development.

The Amigos team (School of Economics, HaUI) focused on the Environment pillar with their “Green Track” idea - a feature integrated into banking apps that tracks and helps reduce users' carbon footprints. The project also aimed to promote awareness about carbon footprints and inspire exploration of sustainable green tourism.

The Empower team (Academy of Policy and Development) introduced a project on sustainable green tourism, where each trip is not only a personal experience but also a contribution to the environment and local communities.

The FBF team (University of Economics and Business Administration, Thai Nguyen University) developed the EasyBank application - a digital banking solution designed to help the elderly access financial services more easily, thus promoting financial inclusion.

The T-Green team (School of Economics, HaUI) addressed challenges in office environments, proposing solutions to build a safe and civilized workplace culture that empowers individuals to perform at their best.

The Green Synergy team (School of Economics, HaUI) proposed a blockchain-based green point system that rewards users for eco-friendly transactions, aiming to gamify and encourage sustainable behavior.

The “Students and ESG Initiatives” competition not only celebrated student talent and innovation but also highlighted their strong commitment to shaping a future that is greener, fairer, and more sustainable.