Unitour: Empowering Sustainability – Mindset for Entrepreneurship

Increasingly frequent unseasonal rains, prolonged heat waves, and rivers once known for their crystal-clear waters, now polluted by waste, are all sounding the alarm over the growing severity of nature’s response to human activities. In this context, sustainable development is no longer a distant concept but an urgent necessity that requires the collective efforts of the entire community, especially the younger generation.

That message was at the heart of “Unitour: Empowering Sustainability - Mindset for Entrepreneurship,” held at UEF on the morning of February 21. One of the event’s featured speakers was Miss Intercontinental 2022 Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc, founder of GEN ZERO, Youth for Sustainable Development. 

“Unitour: Empowering Sustainability – Mindset for Entrepreneurship” is a series of events organized by ASSIST in collaboration with the UEF Center of Service-Learning and the University of Economics and Finance, Ho Chi Minh City (UEF), with the aim of raising students’ awareness of sustainable development.The program was held as part of the Green Development Partnership, supported by P4G.

Joining the program were Dr. Nhan Cam Tri, Vice President of UEF; Tran Thi My Phuong, LL.M, Director of the UEF Center of Service-Learning; Dr. Tran Hoang Nam, Head of Real Estate at the Faculty of Economics, UEF; and Aru David, Regional Director of ASSIST Vietnam. The speaker lineup also included Stefan Kaufmann, CEO and founder of Eboost; Le Ngoc Huy, Sales Director of Stride; and Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc.

The event brought together experts, businesses, and organizations working toward sustainable development.

At the event, Dr. Nhan Cam Tri,  Vice President of UEF, emphasized the important role of students in shaping the future. “I believe that with a sustainable mindset, you will not only become successful entrepreneurs but also responsible leaders who care about society and the environment. The speakers’ insights are seeds planted in the minds of the younger generation. This program offers practical perspectives and inspires creative ideas, helping UEFers better understand the role of sustainable thinking in entrepreneurship and economic development.”

Dr. Nhan Cam Tri emphasized that sustainable development is an urgent necessity that requires the collective efforts of the younger generation.

For Bao Ngoc, sustainability is not simply a trend or a topic reserved for environmental organizations. She described it as an issue closely tied to human well-being and, ultimately, survival. The speaker highlighted issues such as saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta, river pollution, and the increasingly polluted air caused by fine particulate matter in Ho Chi Minh City - environmental problems that are directly affecting people's daily lives. Without timely action, these consequences will continue to become increasingly severe.

In response to these alarming realities, Bao Ngoc called on young people to take the initiative and make changes starting from the smallest actions in their daily lives. Reducing the use of single-use plastics, recycling waste, practicing responsible consumption, or simply raising awareness of sustainable development can all make a difference. She also encouraged young people to participate in green start-up projects and collaborate with businesses committed to environmental protection in order to work together toward a more sustainable future.

Miss Bao Ngoc shared real-life images of climate change, encouraging young people not to “stand by” but to take action toward sustainable development.

The program also brought practical stories from pioneering businesses in the field of sustainable development. Le Ngoc Huy from Stride introduced a financing model for solar energy designed to lower the barrier for households and businesses interested in switching to cleaner power. By making solar systems more financially accessible, the model offers one example of how business and sustainability can work together rather than compete with one another. 

Meanwhile, Mr. Stefan Kaufmann, CEO of EBOOST,  presented a smart electric vehicle charging station system, an important step toward reducing emissions and promoting green transportation.

Businesses are increasingly aligning their operations with sustainable development goals.

In addition to in-depth discussions and presentations, the event also featured an exhibition of artworks centered on sustainable thinking. The displayed works not only presented creative perspectives on environmental protection but also inspired students in their journey toward building a greener world. The program provided students with opportunities to gain first-hand exposure to sustainable models, helping them develop innovative thinking and a stronger sense of environmental responsibility. The inspiring stories shared by speakers and businesses showed young people that every individual can contribute to meaningful change, beginning with the smallest actions.

Furthermore, the exhibition encouraged creativity and provided a space for students to express their perspectives on the environment and community responsibility. This serves as an important foundation for the younger generation to not only raise awareness but also turn that awareness into practical action and contribute to a sustainable future.

Various issues were discussed from different perspectives, while UEF students also expressed their views and concerns through practical questions and sharing.

With this spirit, the event created a meaningful forum for students to gain a deeper understanding of environmental issues and find the motivation to contribute to building a greener and more sustainable Vietnam. As Miss Bao Ngoc shared: “Young people today who fail to take action will be left behind.” Sustainable development is not only a responsibility but also an opportunity for the younger generation to shape a better world – a world where people can live in harmony with nature rather than becoming the cause of its destruction.

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