Cooperation Signing and Launch of the “Vietnamese Entrepreneurs Bookcase”: Opportunities for Student Learning and Entrepreneurship

     On the morning of December 6, 2021, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH), VNUHCM signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Saigon Entrepreneur Magazine and officially launched the “Vietnamese Entrepreneurs Bookcase”, aiming to create opportunities for student learning, research, and entrepreneurship, while fostering future cooperation.

Attending the signing and launching ceremony, representatives from USSH, VNUHCM included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Lan, President; Ms. Mai Thi Kim Khanh, M.A., Deputy Head of the Office of External Relations and Research Affairs; Mr. Tran Nam, M.A., Head of the Office of Communications and Corporate Relations; and Ms. Bui Thu Hang, M.A., Director of the Library.

From Saigon Entrepreneur Magazine, attendees included Mr. Tran Hoang, Editor-in-Chief; Mr. Ngo Vi Dong, Chairman of the Board of HPT Information Technology Services Joint Stock Company and Vice Chairman of the Entrepreneur Book Development Council; Ms. Phung Thi Ai Ly, Head of Program Production; and Mr. Ngo Xuan Loc, Head of Business Development.

Representatives of both parties cut the ribbon to inaugurate the “Vietnamese Entrepreneurs Bookcase” at the University Library. – Photo: Ly Nguyen

In his remarks at the ceremony, Mr. Tran Hoang, Editor-in-Chief of Saigon Entrepreneur Magazine, expressed his appreciation for the University’s support and facilitation. He hoped that the Vietnamese Entrepreneurs Bookcase would receive contributions from entrepreneurs who are alumni of USSH, VNUHCM. Based on this, the values brought by the bookcase could be integrated into the University’s training programs.

He also emphasized the importance of effectively utilizing the books in the collection:
“In teaching and research, we encourage lecturers to provide examples of Vietnamese entrepreneurs. While Vietnamese enterprises may not yet match large global corporations in economic scale, we are demonstrating strong progress in terms of corporate culture,” he shared.

USSH is a place that has nurtured and trained many talented individuals for the country, especially young and successful entrepreneurs who contribute to the development of Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam as a whole. In addition, the University has organized various activities to promote the entrepreneurial spirit among students during their studies, notably the “Humanities Startup” competition, which is designed for students in the social sciences and humanities, emphasizing humanistic values and social responsibility in startup ideas and projects.

Representing the partner institution and the recipient of the bookcase, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Lan, President of the University, stated that from a practical perspective, entrepreneurs are always pioneering in innovation and in creating positive value for society. In recent years, the University has also placed strong emphasis on fostering an entrepreneurial mindset in its teaching.

With the goal of encouraging students to develop innovative and progressive thinking, the establishment of the Vietnamese Entrepreneurs Bookcase aligns with the University’s development orientation. “In the context of the pandemic, access to physical books is limited; therefore, the University hopes to receive digital versions to make them more accessible to students,” she proposed.

Cooperation signing between the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (VNUHCM) and Saigon Entrepreneur Magazine. – Photo: Ly Nguyen

At the ceremony, representatives of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH), VNUHCM and Saigon Entrepreneur Magazine signed a cooperation agreement covering several key activities, including:

• Collaborating in selecting and conducting in-depth research on the successes and failures of Vietnamese enterprises, entrepreneurs, and brands to support teaching and communication activities of both parties;
• Jointly organizing communication programs, career orientation activities, and skills development initiatives for students;
• Connecting internship and employment opportunities for students;
• Cooperating in research, surveys, and forecasting workforce demand at the university level and above across various fields (with priority given to four key industries and nine major service sectors of Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam);
• Selecting feasible student startup projects to support participation in the Luong Van Can Talent Awards;
• Collaborating in promoting the University’s research related to businesses and entrepreneurs through Saigon Entrepreneur Magazine;

                    Gift exchange and commemorative photo session. – Photo: Ly Nguyen

The Entrepreneurs and Books Week 2021 aims to build the image of Vietnamese entrepreneurs associated with four core values: intelligence, integrity, talent, and credibility, while encouraging them to leave behind valuable books for future generations of entrepreneurs. Saigon Entrepreneur Magazine has been actively collaborating with universities across Ho Chi Minh City to disseminate this knowledge and promote a culture of learning within the community.

Anh Trinh