From July 6–9, 2026, Tan Tao University (TTU) welcomed a delegation from the HUSS Alliance (South Korea), including Professor Jae Hak Jung – Head of the HUSS Project (Yeungnam University), Dr. Hwan Soo Jung, along with a team of experts and 23 outstanding students from Yeungnam, Kwangwoon, Kookmin, Sun Moon, and Honam universities, who came to visit, work, and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), contributing to expanding the international cooperation network in training, research, and academic exchange. On this occasion, TTU students also took part in the Hackathon under the HUSS Vietnam 2026 Program, themed “International Cooperation Solutions for Climate Change Response Based on Global Resources,” working alongside Vietnamese and Korean students to develop innovative ideas for sustainable development goals.
Launching the Vietnam – South Korea cooperation journey
The opening ceremony took place at Levy Hall, marking the start of a series of activities connecting universities, businesses, and experts from Vietnam and South Korea in the field of climate change and sustainable development.
The highlight of the program was the signing ceremony for the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Tan Tao University and the Global Symbiosis HUSS Project (Yeungnam University, South Korea), opening up opportunities for long-term cooperation in training, scientific research, academic exchange, and the implementation of student and faculty exchange programs between the two sides.
The program brought together faculty and students from Tan Tao University, Ho Chi Minh City University of Natural Resources and Environment, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (VNU-HCM), Nong Lam University Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, together with Korean universities. Cultural exchange activities helped students from both countries connect and form multinational working groups before entering the series of academic and practical activities.
Gaining knowledge from experts in climate technology and green finance
Following the connection activities, students entered a series of academic seminars featuring presentations by Dr. Hwan Soo Jung, Director of BioGET Company (South Korea), and Ms. Ly Luong Huyen, Director of Investment Consulting at KAFI Securities.
Through Dr. Hwan Soo Jung’s presentation, students were updated on new trends in third-generation climate technology, applications of biomass, biochar, carbon credits, and agrivoltaic (solar-agriculture combined) models. Practical examples of utilizing agricultural by-products such as sugarcane bagasse to create biomaterials, sequester carbon, and produce clean energy offered a new perspective on the circular economy and sustainable development.
From a financial perspective, Ms. Ly Luong Huyen shared insights on the role of green finance in realizing environmental initiatives. Accordingly, in order to attract capital from banks and investment funds, projects need to build transparent data systems capable of measuring and verifying environmental performance, thereby enhancing feasibility and the potential for real-world implementation.
The knowledge gained from the two seminars not only helped students stay updated on new trends but also became a foundation for analyzing real-world business problems and developing solutions for the Hackathon competition.
HANDS-ON BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
Continuing the academic activities, students took part in a series of field surveys at leading businesses, including Nafoods and TTC AgriS.
At Nafoods, students learned about agricultural processing procedures, value-chain development models, and solutions for enhancing agricultural value through technology application. The journey concluded at TTC AgriS with presentations on high-tech agriculture, the circular economy, and sustainable value-chain development.
Beyond touring the operational processes, students also directly discussed with the businesses issues such as optimizing resources, managing by-products, reducing emissions, and sustainable development. These practical problems became important data for the competing teams to build their ideas and finalize their solutions for the Hackathon.
International Hackathon – Turning ideas into solutions
Concluding the program was the final round and awards ceremony of the HUSS Vietnam 2026 Hackathon, held at the Science, Technology and Innovation Center under the Tay Ninh Province Department of Science and Technology.
Eight teams comprising Vietnamese and Korean students presented solutions developed from their professional knowledge and data gathered during the business surveys. The projects focused on areas such as the circular economy in agriculture, environmental technology, renewable energy, and emissions reduction.
In the final results, Tan Tao University students left a strong mark with numerous achievements. The Gold Award went to the project “Developing a Biodegradable Biological Agricultural Mulch Film from Sugarcane Bagasse,” involving Nguyen Dang My Giao (Faculty of Biotechnology) and Le Thi Doan Ngoc (Faculty of Information Technology).
In addition, TTU students were also part of teams that won 2 Silver Awards, with Duong Cu Thoc (Faculty of Biotechnology) and Nguyen The Vinh (Faculty of Information Technology); and 3 Bronze Awards, with Phan Thi Thuy Trang, Ngo Thi Tu Suong, Nguyen Thanh Bien, Nguyen Dang Thao Vy, and Tu Huynh Minh Quang.
These achievements not only affirm the professional competence, innovative thinking, and ability to work in an international environment of TTU students, but also demonstrate the effectiveness of the training model that connects academia, business, and practical application.
Expanding cooperation for green growth and sustainable development
HUSS Vietnam 2026 is not merely an academic program or an idea competition, but also a model for connecting universities, businesses, experts, and local authorities. Through professional activities, field surveys, and international teamwork, students enhanced their research capabilities, interdisciplinary thinking, and ability to solve global problems.
Through the signing of the MOU with the HUSS Alliance and its participation in the program’s series of activities, Tan Tao University continues to expand international cooperation in training, research, and academic exchange. This also serves as a foundation for TTU to create more learning and international experience opportunities for students, while contributing to training high-quality human resources to meet the demands of sustainable development in the future.
