Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam — January 25, 2024. Hundreds of students and faculty members, alongside representatives from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and distinguished guests from diverse industries and academia, actively participated in the Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) Final Showcase at the Cao Thang Technical College. This stands as a cornerstone within the Dow STEM Program and event marked the conclusion of the sixth EPICS program in Viet Nam, symbolizing a convergence of education, industry, and international collaboration.
EPICS is an internationally recognized designed-based, service-learning program where student teams will partner with a community organization to design, build, and deploy systems to that tackles a social issue. In a five-month period of continuous learning, the program guides student teams through processes of design innovation, team management, testing, and presenting in technical English. EPICS projects span the spectrum - finding solutions to challenges in human health care, energy, sustainability, and more.
Having been actively supporting engineering students across Viet Nam, over the past seven year of the ASU-Dow collaboration in the Dow Vietnam STEM Program, Dow Vietnam has invested over $250,000 providing more than 1,400 opportunities for students to engineer social innovations, fostering confidence and capacity.
In a statement, Ms. Nguyen Xuan Kim Phuong, President of Dow Vietnam, commended the students, saying, “As a materials science company and solutions provider, we are very delighted to support students and university faculties and more than happy to see students realize the current social and environmental issues in the community and develop innovative solutions to address it. With that spirit, we strongly believe this STEM Program would inspire the younger generation to solve tomorrow’s world challenges."
Among the 19 innovative projects of student teams across Viet Nam, the following winners showcased outstanding solutions to pressing social challenges, earning well-deserved recognition for their efforts:
- Winning the first prize was The Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City’s Team 1 with their innovative project tackling heat stress and heatstroke caused by climate change. Their smart cooling belt, integrated with a uniform jacket, ensures comfort and safety for outdoor workers. A commendable solution addressing pressing challenges and prioritizing human well-being in the era of climate change.
- Second prize went to Da Nang University of Science and Technology’s Team 1 for their impactful 'Ozone Aerator' project addressing severe pollution in Phu Loc River. The innovative solution introduces ozone and oxygen to decompose microorganisms, effectively eliminating foul odors and improving community living conditions.
- Third prize went to Da Nang University of Science and Technology’s Team 4 for their innovative project addressing the challenges of an aging population. Their 'Elderly Safety Device' not only alerts seniors to potential dangers but also includes features like automatic night lighting and real-time location updates. The device aims to enhance the overall safety and well-being of the elderly, contributing to the alleviation of healthcare challenges in the era of population aging.
The lasting impacts of EPICS extend beyond the showcase, as participating universities from Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Can Tho integrate the program into their curriculum. This not only ensures the sustainability of the initiative but also signifies a commitment to producing a new generation of engineers who are not only technically proficient but also socially responsible.
About EPICS
EPICS is an international award-winning, designed-based, service-learning program founded at Purdue University in 1995. During EPICS student teams will partner with a community organization to design, build, and deploy systems to solve engineering-based problems. The program guides student teams through processes of design innovation, team management, testing, and presenting in technical English. EPICS projects span the spectrum - finding solutions to challenges in human health care, energy, sustainability, and more.
About Dow Vietnam
Dow has been present in Vietnam since 1995. The Company today counts around 110 employees at three main locations in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and its manufacturing site in Dong Nai Province, serving customers in the consumer care, infrastructure, packaging and mobility industries. Dow is a partner in Vietnam's economic growth by adding more value to the country's advanced manufacturing industries, providing more innovative and sustainable solutions to help Vietnam address the challenges and is a caring member of the Vietnamese community. For more information, please visit https://vn.dow.com/en-us.html
About Arizona State University
Arizona State University was rank #1 Most Innovative University in America by U.S. News & World Report for nine consecutive years. With over 100,000 students, ASU is a comprehensive public research university, measured not by whom it excludes, but rather by whom it includes and how they succeed; advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural, and overall health of the communities it serves.
Since 2010, Viet Nam has emerged as an exemplar global model for ASU. Through a national partnership between Viet Nam and ASU, our industry, academic, and government partners have collectively brought ideas, expertise, and resources to improve the quality and access to higher education supporting Viet Nam’s rapid socio-economic development.
Winners’ contact information:
- First prize: Ms. Trần Xuân Đoan – 0886389890
- Second prize: Mr. Nguyễn Chí Nguyên – 0905982407
- Third prize: Mr. Vũ Văn Duy - 0373120258
