Promoting creative ideas in schools

In the context of Da Nang considering innovation as a key driving force to improve competitiveness, encouraging ideas right in the school environment not only stimulates the spirit of dedication of young people but also paves the way for initiatives to enter the market.

A startup project of Da Nang students is consulted by experts and businesses. Photo: PHAN VINH

Grown up from competitions

On September 19, at the VietFuture Awards 2025 held in Ho Chi Minh City, the project "Green-Storm automatic seedling container packing machine" by a group of students from 3 schools of Danang University including: University of Technical Education, University of Technology, University of Economics won the second prize.

This is a clear demonstration of the growth of the creative playground of schools. From an idea originating from the practical needs of farmers in the highlands of Da Nang, the project has gone through many rounds of challenges, completed thanks to the connection of 3 houses: the state, the school and the business.

Nguyen Le Hoai Bao, a student at the University of Technical Education and co-founder of the project “Green-Storm Automatic Seedling Container Packing Machine”, shared that the group started with the desire to create a device to support the process of packing seedlings, helping farmers save time and effort.

That idea was enthusiastically commented on and edited by lecturers such as Dr. Le Duc Tien, MSc. Nguyen Bao Phuong and Dr. Phan Nguyen Duy Minh... from the drawings, operating principles to the control mechanism.

“Without the teachers’ support, it would be difficult for us to turn our ideas into finished products. Their professional comments and timely encouragement are the motivation for the group to persevere to the end,” said Hoai Bao.

The project "Green-Storm automatic seedling pot packing machine" received an award at the VietFuture Awards 2025. Photo: NVCC

The companionship does not stop at the technical level. After making a mark in the creative startup idea competition in schools, Green-Storm continued to be selected by Danang Startup Investment and Support Company Limited (DNES) to be included in the incubation and financial support program.

This is one of 30 typical student startup projects of the city selected in 2025 through the FINC+ 2025 interactive incubation program, co-implemented by the Department of Science and Technology.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh Ngoc, Deputy Executive Director of DNES, said: “School competitions are the starting point to discover highly feasible projects. DNES will continue to accompany to upgrade startup capacity, from forming ideas to perfecting models and approaching the market.

The FINC+ program with its digital platform, intuitive tools and one-on-one training mechanism helps founding teams proactively design their development journey, while creating conditions for the incubator to accurately assess the potential of each project to go further.

Starting a business from the classroom

According to Associate Professor Dr. Vu Thi Phuong Anh, Principal of Quang Nam College, Vice President of the National Startup Advisory Council, promoting innovative startup ideas in schools is of special importance.

Many student start-up projects are supported with incubation and capacity upgrading. Photo: PHAN VINH

Whether the idea is successful or not, the entrepreneurial journey still helps students develop a proactive, self-learning and self-researching spirit. This is the greatest value, because it forms a sense of responsibility, trains creativity and awakens the entrepreneurial spirit right from when they are still in school.

“More importantly, the school environment is the safest place for young people to try and make mistakes, so that from their first failures, they learn how to get up, adjust and grow.

Those experiences are valuable assets, helping students not to be bewildered when entering the workforce but to confidently adapt, be creative and accompany the development of society," Associate Professor, Dr. Vu Thi Phuong Anh said.

This view has also been affirmed many times by Dr. Dinh Viet Hoa, Chairman of the National Startup Association, at international conferences on startups among students.

He believes that in the world, many innovative startup ideas come from young people, especially students. At this age, they have the mindset to break existing rules, ready to try new paths that their predecessors have never thought of. It is this boldness that creates initiatives that can change industries, even change the economy.

According to Mr. Hoa, to promote this resource, it is necessary to make innovation and entrepreneurship an essential content in university and college education. Not only stopping at opening entrepreneurship courses, but also going further to build a model of "entrepreneurial university", where teaching and research are closely linked with technology transfer and business support activities.

“Starting a business in schools is no longer an option, but an inevitable need, the breath of development. Startup universities are the place to create innovative infrastructure, contribute to the formation of new technology applications and promote effective economic development,” Dr. Dinh Viet Hoa affirmed.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/thuc-day-y-tuong-sang-tao-trong-nha-truong-3303671.html