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NextGen Business Innovator 2026 Kicks Off: Bridging Business Ideas with Real-World Practice

03/25/2026

With the aim of enhancing students’ critical thinking and practical application capabilities, on the morning of March 24, the Faculty of Business Administration organized the kick-off session for the NextGen Business Innovator 2026 competition. The event marked the beginning of a journey that supports students in developing ideas, refining their business mindset, and progressively building feasible plans that meet market demands.

NextGen Business Innovator 2026 Officially Launches, Opening a Practical Platform for Young Business Enthusiasts in the Digital Era

The program was attended by Dr. Nhan Cam Tri, Vice President of the University; Dr. Ly Dan Thanh, Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration; Dr. Huynh Nhut Nghia, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration; Dr. Piotr Antoni Binkowski, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration; Mr. Tran Hoang Nam, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration; and Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Thuy Tien, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration, along with faculty members and a large number of students.

The event also welcomed distinguished guests from industry, including Mr. Pham Son Tung, Vice Chairman of CF Holdings and Investment Director; Mr. Tran Bui Quang Linh, Senior Product and Partnership Manager at IT Viec JSC; Ms. Lai Thi My Hao, General Manager of Sum Pharmaceutical Investment JSC; Ms. Do Thi Phuong Thanh, Modern Trade Manager at Kirin Interfood Vietnam; and Mr. Tran Trieu Quan, Deputy Head of the Human Resource Development Committee of the Vietnam E-commerce Association (VECOM), Deputy Head of the Training Committee of Gia Dinh Business Association, and Director of External Relations at E-commerce Research and Development Corporation (CRED).

The Faculty of Business Administration extends its sincere appreciation to the guest speakers for their valuable support.

In his remarks at the event, Dr. Huynh Nhut Nghia emphasized the importance of practical experience in career orientation. The competition is designed to provide a platform for learners to develop professional skills and gain hands-on experience, thereby reducing the likelihood of working outside their field of study after graduation. A notable highlight of this year’s edition is the expansion of participation to high school students, enabling them to gain early exposure to career pathways, better understand their own capabilities, and make more informed decisions about their future.

Dr. Huynh Nhut Nghia shared key orientations and inspired students to pursue their goals.

Continuing the program, Dr. Nguyen Phuoc Thien introduced the competition’s regulations and structure. With several new features, NextGen Business Innovator 2026 adopts a six-member team model comprising three UEF students, two high school students, and one mentor, who collaborate to develop a business project from ideation to completion and present it before an expert panel.

The competition is organized into key phases: completion of UEF student teams by April 5; Phase 1 – Build the Crew in April; Training Workshops in May; and Phase 2 – Seal the Deal at the end of May.

In addition to its academic value and experiential learning opportunities, the competition also offers awards to recognize the efforts and creativity of participating teams. The Champion title (NextGen Business Innovator) is awarded 5,000,000 VND; the Runner-up (Outstanding Team) receives 3,000,000 VND; and the Second Runner-up (Rising Deal makers) is awarded 2,000,000 VND. Several additional category awards are also presented, including Best Use of AI, Best Sales Performance, Best Video Storytelling, and Best School Connector, each valued at 1,000,000 VND.

Dr. Nguyen Phuoc Thien, Head of the Commercial Business Program, and Mr. Tran Hoang Nam, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration, introduced the competition regulations and provided detailed insights into its structure.

To equip students with foundational knowledge and enhance their confidence prior to entering the competition, Ms. Do Thi Phuong Thanh, Mr. Tran Trieu Quan; and Dr. Nguyen Le Hoang Long delivered insightful presentations grounded in practical professional experience.

Within the program, the speakers provided valuable perspectives on the application of AI in modern business. With over 30 years of experience in the consumer goods sector both domestically and internationally, Ms. Do Thi Phuong Thanh, M.A. analyzed the role of data in retail, emphasizing that AI serves as a powerful tool for optimizing time, identifying the right target customers, and enhancing customer understanding and engagement—thereby laying a foundation for sustainable business development.

In addition, Mr. Tran Trieu Quan, M.A. discussed the process of applying AI in product development and business implementation. He highlighted that AI does not replace humans but acts as an enabler to accelerate data collection and processing. The effectiveness of AI application depends on the ability to control outputs, select appropriate tools aligned with specific objectives, and integrate them with strategic thinking. He also introduced various platforms supporting content creation and updates on e-commerce trends, offering students additional approaches for project development.

At the event, Dr. Nguyen Le Hoang Long shared that effective product development begins with a deep understanding of customer insights and market trends, which form the basis for generating ideas with practical value. In the context of rapid technological advancement and AI integration, product innovation and commercialization have become faster and more flexible, requiring businesses to effectively leverage digital platforms. He emphasized that individuals in business should adopt the mindset of a “content creator,” capable of storytelling and selecting appropriate channels to reach their target audience. Ultimately, success is not driven by a single factor, but by the seamless integration of insights, ideas, products, communication channels, and customer experience.

The speakers provided students with practical perspectives on the business landscape in the digital era.

In addition to attentive listening, UEF students demonstrated proactiveness and strong commitment to the competition by actively engaging in discussions with the speakers. Numerous questions were raised, focusing on data utilization, the application of AI in sales, and product strategy development.

UEF students listened attentively and actively engaged in discussions with the speakers.

Concluding the kick-off session, NextGen Business Innovator 2026 officially embarks on a new journey for young individuals passionate about business in the digital era. The competition is expected to serve as a launchpad for students to develop practical thinking and progressively transform their ideas into marketable products of real value.

Center of Information and Communications