Startup ideas from the classroom.

Many students in Khanh Hoa are boldly turning their ideas into reality with highly applicable products. From coffee grounds and sugarcane pulp to local seafood resources, these student startup ideas not only demonstrate the creativity of youth but also show a sustainable development mindset, linking research with the practical needs of life.

Creating green products

One weekend morning at Khanh Hoa University, on a small wooden table, rustic brown potted plants were neatly arranged next to pretty handcrafted coasters. The enthusiastic working atmosphere of the Economics Faculty students with their idea of ​​"Biodegradable potted plants and coasters made from sugarcane bagasse and coffee grounds" made the place feel like a miniature creative workshop. This project recently won first prize in the university's 5th "Students with Creative Ideas and Entrepreneurship" competition.

The idea of ​​"Biodegradable plant pots and coasters made from sugarcane bagasse and coffee grounds" by a group of students from the Faculty of Economics won first prize at the 5th "Students with Creative Ideas and Entrepreneurship" competition of Khanh Hoa University.

The product's uniqueness lies in its use of sugarcane bagasse and coffee grounds – materials often considered waste in daily life. Student Truong Thi Kieu Van, a K8 Business Administration - Marketing major and project leader, shared: “The idea originated from witnessing large quantities of discarded coffee and sugarcane grounds at beverage and coffee shops. We thought that if we knew how to utilize them, these materials could be transformed into useful, environmentally friendly products.” To create the finished product, the team went through many stages, from collecting and processing the materials, drying, grinding, to mixing them in the appropriate proportions. The mixture was then molded and further dried or dehydrated to increase its hardness and durability. “The most difficult part was ensuring the product was both sturdy and retained its natural color and aesthetic appeal. There were times when the team had to experiment many times before finding the right formula,” said student Tran Thi Thu Sang, a member of the team.

The group of students who made Tunafitbar and salted fish products took a commemorative photo at the "Product Development from Aquatic Raw Materials" competition of Nha Trang University.

At Nha Trang University, the spirit of innovative entrepreneurship among students is spreading strongly. A group of students from the Faculty of Food Technology, with their Tunafitbar and fish salt products, made a strong impression at the "Product Development from Seafood Raw Materials" competition organized by the faculty. Unlike conventional nutritional bars, Tunafitbar is developed from tuna – a characteristic raw material of the South Central coastal region. Leveraging local advantages, the student group aims to create a convenient, nutritious food line that aligns with the trend of healthy eating. Student Le Nguyen Tuong Vi, majoring in Seafood Processing Technology, stated: “We recognize the increasing demand for high-protein, low-calorie foods, especially among young people and athletes . Meanwhile, tuna is a very nutritious raw material, but there aren't many convenient products suitable for modern trends.”

To perfect the product, the team conducted numerous experiments to find the ideal ratio of ingredients. Most importantly, they aimed to preserve the distinctive flavor of tuna while ensuring ease of use for consumers. "We hope the product will not only be a competition but can also be developed into a commercial product in the future," said Nguyen Minh Khoi, a member of the team.

Spreading the spirit of creativity.

A noteworthy aspect of many current student startup ideas and projects lies not only in their creativity but also in their applicability and ability to leverage local advantages. Commenting on the project to recycle sugarcane bagasse and coffee grounds into plant pots and coasters, and other ideas participating in the "Students with Creative Startup Ideas" competition in general, Ms. Tran Thi Tran Chau, a lecturer at the Faculty of Economics, Khanh Hoa University, highly praised the proactive spirit and social responsibility of the student groups. The students transformed seemingly discarded materials into useful, environmentally friendly products. This is not just a startup idea, but also a message about a green lifestyle, circular economy development, and responsibility to the community. Mr. Nguyen Trong Bach, academic advisor at the Faculty of Food Technology, Nha Trang University, believes that the most positive aspect is that students have learned to observe societal needs to guide their research. Through these competitions, students learn many practical skills such as research, critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork. More importantly, they develop innovative thinking and a sense of responsibility towards their profession.

Biodegradable plant pots and coasters made from sugarcane bagasse and coffee grounds, created by a group of students from the Faculty of Economics, Khanh Hoa University.

Student Truong Thi Kieu Van (on the left) and her team members process and mix sugarcane bagasse and coffee grounds to create the product.

Besides the two projects mentioned above, hundreds of scientific research projects by students in the province have been completed and approved; many projects have won awards from the school level to the national level. This shows that the scientific research and entrepreneurship movement among students is developing strongly. Many universities have focused on building a learning environment linked to practice, creating conditions for students to realize their creative ideas with concrete products. Universities also maintain entrepreneurship clubs and have many activities to support students in connecting ideas with businesses and the market. Using simple materials from their homeland, students in Khanh Hoa are gradually creating products with high practical applications. This is not just an entrepreneurial idea but also reflects a green living spirit, contributing to enhancing the value of local resources and affirming the aspirations of young people to establish themselves and build careers in the new era.

A group of students from the Faculty of Economics, Khanh Hoa University, came up with a startup idea: "Biodegradable plant pots and coasters made from sugarcane bagasse and coffee grounds."

THUY NHU

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/xa-hoi/202605/y-tuong-khoi-nghiep-tu-giang-duong-f5e13bd/