“Innovate like a Swede” contest launched in Hanoi

Hanoi (VNA) – A contest entitled “Innovate like a Swede - for making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable in Vietnam” was launched in Hanoi on August 23.

“Innovate like a Swede” is an annual innovation contest for Vietnamese students with the purpose to encourage creativity and to find innovative solutions for a challenge faced in a local context. 

The focus Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) for 2018 will be goal no 11: Sustainable cities and communities - Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

The contest is jointly organised by the Embassy of Sweden and Swedish companies, with the support of Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

The deadline for submission is October 28, 2018. Participants will form teams of two and their contributions will be assessed based on whether the entries are innovative, creative, feasible, sustainable and commercially viable, as well as on what kind of lasting impact they will have.

The jury consists of representatives from the participating companies and ministries, which provides an amazing opportunity for students to pitch their solutions and innovative ideas to representatives from both the private and public sectors in Vietnam.

The first prize is a trip to Sweden and a visit to a couple of Swedish companies’ headquarters and Uppsala University. The runner-ups will be given internship opportunities at Swedish companies in Vietnam.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) are a key priority for the
Swedish government as well as one of the major tasks for the world as a whole. This contest aims to inspire students in Vietnam to use innovation as a means to reaching an SDG in a Vietnamese context.-VNA