Lan Anh
On July 28, 2025, at the Vietnam Television Center in Ho Chi Minh City, ten outstanding students represent Tra Vinh University in the preliminary round of the Next-Gen Students 2025 national competition.
This prestigious intellectual and creative playground, held annually by Vietnam Television (VTV) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Training and the Central Committee of the Vietnam National Union of Students, brings together the country’s most promising young minds.
The competition aims to discover and honor students who not only excel academically and think innovatively but also care deeply about social responsibility and aspire to contribute to Vietnam’s sustainable development in a globally connected era.
With the theme “Real action – real change,” the Tra Vinh University team presents their project titled “LUCA Biochar: Biochar from Water Hyacinth and Shrimp Shells for Sustainable Agriculture and Aquaculture.” This high-impact initiative offers an integrated solution for environmental protection, circular economy development, and community support in the Mekong Delta—an area facing challenges such as salinity intrusion, water pollution, acid sulfate soils, and agricultural waste.
The project showcases creative thinking through the use of local materials—water hyacinth and shrimp shells—to produce biochar, a powerful absorbent and soil enhancer. More than just a technical solution, it reflects the students’ strong sense of social responsibility and community engagement.
The team includes ten students from diverse academic disciplines, united by a shared spirit of curiosity, determination, and civic duty. They stand out not only in academics, but also in research, innovation, volunteerism, and student leadership.
Each member takes on specific responsibilities within the LUCA Biochar project, covering project management, technical development, research, public relations, communications, community engagement, and logistics. They receive consistent mentorship from a faculty advisor who provides guidance, motivation, and helps maintain strong team spirit throughout the journey.
Although the official results are yet to be announced, the experience itself becomes a significant milestone for the students. From ideation and prototype building to presenting on stage in Ho Chi Minh City, the entire journey provides invaluable lessons in teamwork, communication, and public engagement.
LUCA Biochar and the confident, innovative, and community-minded image of TVU’s students vividly represent the university’s holistic educational philosophy—blending academic learning with practical application, fostering socially oriented initiatives, and encouraging innovation as a catalyst for change.
Regardless of the competition outcome, these students have already achieved something remarkable: proving that success is not only about rankings, but also about growth, discovery, and meaningful contributions along the way.
Let’s look forward to the results of the preliminary round and hope to hear TVU’s name called again in the upcoming stages of Next-Gen Students 2025—a platform where Vietnam’s young generation continues to shape the future through knowledge, responsibility, and purpose.
