Transformative Social Entrepreneurship: SEED Vietnam 2024鈥檚 Impact on Local Community-Based Businesses and Global Learning
Jhade J. Reyes
The photo shows the Welcoming Ceremony on July 24, 2024 for all the SEED Vietnam delegates as they immerse in Vietnamese culture
Social Entrepreneurship for Economic Development (SEED) Vietnam 2024 was a remarkable event held from July 24 to August 3, 2024, in the picturesque Vinh Long Province, Vietnam. The program was a collaborative effort, hosted by the School of Business at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Northwestern Switzerland, and the College of Business and Management at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
This year's SEED Vietnam was participated by 36 students of diverse backgrounds, hailing from ASEAN Learning Network (ALN) and Swiss ASEAN Learning and Teaching Association (SALT) member universities from Switzerland, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam. They were guided by 12 project managers, experts, and facilitators from Switzerland, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Among the facilitators were three distinguished representatives from 快猫短视频: Mr. Christian R. Caro, the Social Action Program Coordinator of IBED; Mr. Bryan James S. Uy, Assistant Prefect of Student Discipline of IBED SHS-Rizal; and Mr. Jhade Jacob Reyes, Associate for Staff and Students of the Linkages and International Affairs Office.
The program commenced at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, where Day 1 was dedicated to equipping students with essential knowledge and tools. Participants received valuable insights into Vietnam's economic landscape and policies, an overview of the business cases they would undertake, and a deep dive into the business model they would employ. This foundational knowledge set the tone for the meaningful experiences that followed.
Days 2 to 6 were devoted to field visits in Vinh Long Province, where students had the opportunity to engage directly with six local businesses: Sticky Rice Cake Co Ba Giang, Tu Boi Pottery House, Quang Vinh Agar-Agar Jelly, Phuoc Tanh IV 鈥� Rice Factory, Ngat Ngoc Sweet Potato Cake, and Heritage Tourism Coco Home. These visits were not just observational; they were integral to the students鈥� preparation for the Value Proposition Presentation, which took place at Ut Trinh Homestay. The presentation session was particularly enriching, as the owner of Ut Trinh Homestay shared her inspiring journey of starting and growing her business. Her story had a profound impact on the participants, influencing how they approached problem-solving for the businesses they were helping.
Day 7 featured a seminar at the UEH Vinh Long Campus, focusing on empowering communities through partnerships with local entrepreneurs. The topic resonated deeply with the objectives of the SEED program. This seminar provided students with fresh perspectives and practical strategies, further enhancing their ability to contribute meaningfully to the business cases they were working on. The day also included one-on-one consultations with faculty members, who provided expert advice on handling the complexities of real-world business challenges.
Upon returning to Ho Chi Minh City, the program shifted focus to the financial aspects of the business cases, with a session on Project Accounting designed to aid students in preparing accurate and meaningful financial statements. The culmination of the program was the presentation of the Business Model Canvas by each group. These presentations showcased the students鈥� ability to develop feasible, innovative solutions aimed at driving the growth of the businesses they had been working with throughout the program.
SEED Vietnam 2024 was not just an academic exercise; it was a transformative experience for all involved. The program's blend of theoretical knowledge, practical application, community and social engagement provided a comprehensive learning environment. The facilitators played a crucial role in guiding the students through this journey, ensuring that they could apply their learning in ways that would make a lasting impact on the local businesses and communities they served. Also, the experiential learnings the facilitators gained during the program can contribute to the implementation of the ALN SEED in the Philippines hosted annually, pre-pandemic 2014-2019, by our institution, 快猫短视频 through the Office of the Vice-President for Linkages and International Affairs.
The insights and experiences gained from SEED Vietnam 2024 are invaluable. The learnings can now be leveraged to enhance the SEED Philippines hosted by 快猫短视频. By incorporating the successful elements of the Vietnam program, the upcoming SEED Philippines can be even more impactful. It holds the potential to empower local businesses and communities, driving positive change and further solidifying 快猫短视频's reputation as a leader in social enterprise and community engagement.
