DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS
Research
TEAM NEXUS MARKS UEF'S FIRST JOURNEY TO THE BACH KHOA INNOVATION GRAND FINAL
17/09/2026
TEAM NEXUS MARKS UEF'S FIRST JOURNEY TO THE BACH KHOA INNOVATION GRAND FINAL
Four dedicated UEF students, one shared vision for the future of sustainable tourism.
Formed in April 2026 by two students from the Faculty of Information Technology, one student from the International Institute, and one student from the Faculty of Economics, Team NEXUS embarked on its journey at Bach Khoa Innovation 2026 with a shared vision of developing innovative solutions for a more sustainable future.
Under the mentorship of Prof. Dr. Eric Jose Olmedo Panal from UEF's Center for Innovation, Transdisciplinary Research and Consultancy (CITRAC), and Mr. Andries Dreyer, Lecturer at UEF's International Institute, the team brought together knowledge and perspectives from different academic backgrounds to develop and refine their idea throughout the competition.
Team NEXUS engaging with participants and presenting their innovation at Bach Khoa Innovation 2026.
Starting among 148 teams in the University Track, NEXUS progressed through three rounds of rigorous evaluation before reaching the Grand Final on 12 September 2026 at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology. This achievement marked a significant milestone, as NEXUS became the first UEF team to compete in the Grand Final of Bach Khoa Innovation.
Throughout the competition, the team had the opportunity to present their solution, respond to questions, exchange perspectives with experts, and demonstrate the practical potential of their innovation in a competitive environment. The journey also provided valuable experience in transforming an idea into a structured solution and communicating its value to different audiences.
Team NEXUS presents KNĂ, a regenerative tourism solution combining technology, community engagement and sustainability.
At the heart of the team's journey was KNĂ, a regenerative tourism web app designed around three key pillars: blockchain-based revenue sharing between tour operators and local communities, digital preservation of community heritage, and carbon footprint tracking paired with real offset solutions.
By combining technology with community participation and environmental responsibility, KNĂ seeks to address several aspects of sustainable tourism while creating opportunities for local communities to participate more actively in the tourism value chain.
The Grand Final also gave NEXUS an opportunity to engage directly with experts and industry representatives, allowing the team to receive feedback and further explore the real-world applicability of their solution.
Team NEXUS engages in discussions and introduces the project's potential applications in sustainable tourism.
While the team did not place in the top five, the journey generated meaningful interest beyond the competition itself. Two tour operators, one international and one local, have already reached out to explore potential partnerships, providing an encouraging indication of KNĂ's real-world market potential.
Guided by Prof. Dr. Eric Jose Olmedo Panal from UEF's Center for Innovation, Transdisciplinary Research and Consultancy (CITRAC), and Mr. Andries Dreyer, Lecturer at UEF's International Institute and mentor to Team NEXUS, the team brought together knowledge and perspectives from different academic backgrounds to develop and refine their idea throughout the competition.
Their participation at the Bach Khoa Innovation 2026 Grand Final marks a meaningful milestone for the team and reflects UEF's commitment to encouraging students to develop ideas that connect technology, innovation, community and sustainable development.
This may be the end of the competition, but for KNĂ, it feels like just the beginning.
Department of Science, Technology and International Projects
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