USSH Service Learning 2025 Seminar: “Action for the Environment and Sustainable Development”
On October 25, 2025, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH), Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM), hosted the seminar “USSH Action for the Environment and Sustainable Development” at its Linh Xuan Campus. The event was part of the Service Learning 2025 series under the VNU100 Project, jointly organized by the USSH Youth Sustainability Club and the Green Steps Club, under the coordination of Dr. Phạm Thị Bích Ngọc, Director of the Center for Marine and Climate Change Research.
The Service Learning 2025 initiative aims to create a sustainable learning environment through practical community engagement that supports local environmental protection. It promotes a community-based learning model where students not only acquire academic knowledge but also actively contribute to local and community development for a greener and more sustainable future.
Fig 1. Students from the Green Steps Club and other interested students participated in the discussion session.
The seminar aimed to review Service Learning activities from 2021–2025 and develop action plans for the following years. Participants included project management representatives, partner organizations, student clubs, faculty members, and students involved in the program. The event also featured international guests who inspired future initiatives, including:
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Joanna Zawiejska – Lecturer at the Pedagogical University of Krakow, Poland, currently on an academic visit and teaching exchange at USSH under the Erasmus+ KA171 cooperation program.
- Dr. Phạm Thị Bích Ngọc – Director, Center for Marine and Climate Change Research, USSH, VNU-HCM.
- M.A. Nguyễn Quang Việt Ngân – Deputy Head, Faculty of Geography, USSH, VNU-HCM.
- M.A., Ph.D. Candidate Trần Thị Thùy Hương – Representative, Dong Nai Provincial Forest Protection Department.
Fig 2. The keynote speakers of the discussion session received letters of appreciation from the program’s organizing committee.
The seminar program included the following key sessions:
- Overview report on the Service Learning 2021–2025 program series: Ms. Nguyễn Bá Hồng Anh – President of the USSH Youth Sustainability Club (Sustainable Development Club, University of Social Sciences and Humanities) presented the 2024 activity report, while Mr. Phạm Thiên Chấn – President of the Green Steps Club – delivered the 2025 activity report.
- Reflections from guest speakers and feedback from local representatives.
- Student report on the 2023 program.
- Student report on the 2024 program.
- Faculty reflections on their participation in the program.
- Student group discussions on environmental protection and sustainable development in learning spaces.
- Student presentations of 5 creative and innovative project ideas for upcoming years, followed by expert feedback and professional advice.
Figure 3. Representatives of five student groups presented a variety of innovative initiatives.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Phạm Thị Bích Ngọc highlighted:
“Service Learning is not just an experiential learning activity, but a journey that provides students with opportunities to support communities based on their needs. Through this process, students deepen their understanding of knowledge connected to community responsibility. It is also a way to nurture global citizens who think and act sustainably, beginning from their own local contexts.”
Sharing her impressions, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Joanna Zawiejska praised the creativity and initiative of Vietnamese students in Service Learning projects and expressed her hope that international cooperation models like VNU100 would continue to expand, providing more opportunities for academic exchange and sustainable practices for young generations in Vietnam and Poland.
Figure 4. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Joanna Zawiejska delivering her remarks at the discussion session.
The seminar concluded with a group photo of speakers, faculty members, and students, marking their shared journey of learning and action under Service Learning 2025. The event reaffirmed the pioneering role of the Center for Marine and Climate Change Research in promoting sustainability initiatives and spreading the spirit of community-based learning throughout the university.
Source: Program Office
