The workshop, part of the activities in a project on "Supporting student entrepreneurship towards 2025" of the Ministry of Education and Training in accordance with Decision No. 1665/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister. In the morning of March 10, 2022, Ho Chi Minh City Open University held an online conference on "Invention - Innovation Platform" at hall 602 - Vo Van Tan campus, Ho Chi Minh City Open University and livestreamed on fanpage Trường Đại học Mở Tp. Hồ Chí Minh và Công Tác Sinh Viên – Trường ĐH Mở Tp. HCM.

The program aims to promote innovative activities to create core life values on the basis of inventions and handy solutions, boost research development network and application; transfer scientific technologies and commercialize academic science products, promote connections between inventions & inventors, research institutions, businesses and learners, especially biotechnology students.

Attending the Workshop, from Ho Chi Minh City Open University, there were Dr. Le Nguyen Quoc Khang - Vice President, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Anh - Head of Department of Student Affairs & Communications, MSc Nguyen Thi Dieu Linh – Deputy Head of Department of Student Affairs & Communications, Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Bao Chau – Vice Dean of Faculty of Biotechnology. The speakers of the program were Dr. Huynh Ky Tran - Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lan Hao Cosmetics Manufacturing Company Limited (Thorakao), Engineer Le Trung Hieu - Inventor and Founder of Ewater Engineering Company, Dr. Ngo Dac Thuan – Chairman of the Board of Directors of IP Group Company. In addition, in attendance were guests and a large number of enterprising students who are passionate about scientific research attending in person and online.

Speaking at the Conference, Dr. Le Nguyen Quoc Khang - Vice President shared: Ho Chi Minh City Open University always stands ready to invest as well as provides favorable conditions for students whenever they want to put their ideas into effect.

“By delivering diverse training programs from biotechnology, construction, information technology to social-related disciplines, Ho Chi Minh City Open University has more advantages in associating groups of students boldly implementing startup ideas which bring various business initiatives to investors and contribute to the development of the country's industry "- Dr. Khang shared.

The speakers gave various presentations on entrepreneurship and innovation, experiences and journeys leading to entrepreneurial success.

In the share section of "Destiny, passion for scientific research and producing industrial goods from betel leaves", Dr. Huynh Ky Tran - Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lan Hao Cosmetics Manufacturing Co., Ltd (Thorakao) added: "Creativity" plays an integral part in the startup process, and being innovative as well as having explosive inventions should always be part of your approach”. Specifically, Dr. Huynh Ky Tran has successfully researched and manufactured a product from betel leaves which has great immunomodulatory potential of bioactive compounds to help people improve health protection in the Covid-19 pandemic.

Inspired from the trip to Dalat when he accidentally saw a large amount of floral wastes, Engineer Le Trung Hieu ​​​​came up with an idea to dye flowers from ionized water so as to keep flowers last longer to not only will they enhance the value of local products but also expand internationally, he also shared in the topic of "Genetically change colors of flowers: From concept to market".

Dr. Ngo Dac Thuan shared how to transform a "raw" idea into reality while still at school with the topic of: "Strategy to increase the value chain from applied research activities & inventions in University”

One of the highlights of the seminar was the lively exchange between Dr. Huynh Ky Tran, Engineer Le Trung Hieu and Dr. Ngo Dac Thuan with students who are interested in entrepreneurship and passionate about scientific research under the theme "Invention - Innovation Platform”. Through the seminar, students had opportunities to listen to the sharing and advice on steps to build and nurture ideas and ultimately, solutions to realize their ideas and inventions for their start-up.

On this occasion, Ho Chi Minh City Open University has also signed a MOU with Lan Hao Cosmetics Manufacturing Company Limited (Thorakao) and IP Group Joint Stock Company. The cooperation aims to develop and take full advantage of each unit and simultaneously enhance the University’s training programs as well as improve the operational efficiencies of the 02 business units.