The Innovation Challenge is an annual initiative organized by Launch Pad, a startup incubator at Western Sydney University (Australia), aimed at promoting innovation and sustainable development among young people in Vietnam.
The 2025 competition brought together over 130 teams from more than 60 high schools nationwide, undergoing intensive training, mentoring, and presentations before a panel of experts. More than just a competition, it was an opportunity for students to hone their critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills, and to understand the role of technology in social development.
Northern Vietnam: When technology drives safe and humane urban environments.
The Innovation Challenge 2025 has just concluded, with Alpha School winning first prize in the Northern region for their project “No one is left vulnerable to disaster impacts” – an AI-powered early warning and disaster management system.
The team's solution allows for the collection of weather data, water levels, population density, and urban infrastructure, thereby predicting flood risks and suggesting evacuation plans in real time. The judges assessed this project as having both social value and practical implementation potential, especially in areas frequently affected by storms and tidal surges.
Second prize was awarded to the Edison team, for their idea of an “AI-powered public transport system” – an intelligent public transport system that regulates vehicles based on user travel data. The application suggests routes, facilitates ride sharing, and recommends the most energy-efficient vehicles for each journey.
The project is highly regarded for its immediate applicability in a major urban context like Hanoi , where traffic congestion and air pollution are significant challenges.
The People's Choice Award went to The F Students, for their "AI tracking housing prices" model – a system that tracks real-time housing price fluctuations to buy homes when prices are low and provide housing to the homeless along with vocational training. Once the beneficiaries find stable employment, they gradually repay the housing through social capital repayment.
The judges commented that this was a groundbreaking idea, combining technology and humanity, clearly demonstrating the spirit of "a city where no one is left behind".
Southern Vietnam: Innovation for the community and the environment
In the Ho Chi Minh City area, the Vanta team won first prize with their project “A wall/barrier that prevents erosion and filters water in riverside communities.” The team's proposed project uses AI sensors and biomaterials to detect, prevent erosion, and filter water in riverside residential areas. The judges highly appreciated the ability to combine technology and environmental considerations, as well as the potential for practical implementation in the Mekong Delta, an area heavily affected by climate change.
Second prize went to the Synergy team, with their idea "Smart glasses that turn visuals into audio" - smart glasses that convert images into sound to help visually impaired people orient themselves and communicate in public spaces. The judges praised the project for its profound humanitarian value and high commercial potential, which can be applied in education , healthcare, and social support.
The Audience Favorite Award went to the Macbook team for their "AI-integrated life jacket" idea – an AI-integrated life jacket with sensors that detect when someone falls into the water and automatically send a location signal to the rescue team. The product was praised for its simplicity yet extreme practicality, with great significance in rescue operations, especially in areas prone to natural disasters.
Where young ideas spread lasting value.
These initiatives not only demonstrate sharp technological thinking but also show the deep understanding of Vietnamese students regarding social, environmental, and human issues. From transportation and housing to natural disasters and accessibility for vulnerable groups, all are geared towards a common goal – building sustainable cities where technology serves people.
Western Sydney University is known as one of Australia's leading universities in the field of innovative education and sustainable development. Through Launch Pad, the university offers numerous training programs and collaborative ventures in innovative business development, where students can experience, practice, and transform ideas into practical solutions.
The “Innovation Challenge - Sustainable Cities of the Future” competition is clear evidence of that commitment: connecting knowledge, fostering creative thinking, and inspiring action for a sustainable future for Vietnam and the world .
Bich Dao
Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/hoc-sinh-viet-nam-hien-ke-kien-tao-thanh-pho-ben-vung-cua-tuong-lai-2456230.html
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