Recognizing 23 exceptional projects, Bach Khoa Innovation 2025 Awards
23 Prizes Awarded at Bach Khoa Innovation 2025 Grand Final in Ho Chi Minh City
The 8th Bach Khoa Innovation Grand Final, held on August 9, 2025, at the HCM City University of Technology (HCMUT) under Việt Nam National University-HCM City, recognised outstanding projects from various Vietnamese and international schools, universities, and startups. A total of 23 prizes were presented, with 21 going to Vietnamese institutions and 2 to overseas ones.
In the High School category, five awards were given to local high schools including Nam Sài Gòn, Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, Gia Định, Nguyễn Hữu Huân, and Nguyễn An Ninh. The competition, which recognised innovation projects related to sustainable development, digital technology, and human-centred innovation, celebrated a broad spectrum of technological and innovative achievements.
The Student category saw nine prizes awarded, mostly to Vietnamese university teams from the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), and HCM City University of Transport. One prize went to the University of the West of England (UK).
The Start-up category saw HCMUT teams claim two of the three prizes. Start-up teams proposed innovative solutions such as bioplastics from shrimp shells, graphene oxide membranes for saline filtration, algae-based carbon capture, and AI-assisted surgical video analysis.
The University-Industry (U-I) category linked academic knowledge with real industry needs. Malaya Glass Việt Nam (O-I BJC) awarded all three prizes in its recycled glass collection challenge to HCMUT, while Indefol Solar's green hydrogen challenge also went entirely to HCMUT teams.
International engagement also rose sharply, with 18 foreign teams participating in the competition. Three international teams from Hong Kong, India, and Indonesia reached the Start-up Final and received travel support to compete in Việt Nam.
Over eight seasons, BKI has attracted 646 projects from various schools, universities, and start-ups in Vietnam and abroad. Since March, participants have attended workshops, boot camps, mentoring sessions, and field trips to refine their ideas. This year's edition drew a record 189 registered projects.
Phạm Trần Vũ, Vice President of HCMUT, stated that the university is committed to becoming an entrepreneurial institution driving economic and social impact in HCM City and nationwide. The competition, organised annually by HCMUT, fosters creative ideas and connects young entrepreneurs across Việt Nam and the world.
Innovations from high school students included bio-ink from tomato skins, fermented cashew jelly, circular carbon systems from water hyacinths, and devices like vibrating alarm lights for the hearing impaired and obstacle-detecting smart glasses. University student projects ranged from AI-powered warehouse drones and smart helmets to AI mental health assistants and assistive tools for the visually impaired.
The competition recognised excellence in sustainable development, digital technology, and human-centered innovation, setting a high bar for future editions of the Bach Khoa Innovation Grand Final.
- The Start-up category showcased AI-assisted surgical video analysis, bioplastics from shrimp shells, graphene oxide membranes for saline filtration, and algae-based carbon capture – all innovative technological solutions proposed by start-ups.
- In the High School category, projects related to sustainable development, digital technology, and human-centered innovation were recognized, such as bio-ink from tomato skins, devices for the hearing impaired, and smart glasses that detect obstacles.
- The University-Industry (U-I) category fostered collaborations, with Malaya Glass Việt Nam (O-I BJC) and Indefol Solar awarding prizes to HCMUT teams for their proposals in recycled glass collection and green hydrogen challenges, both important for business and promoting health.
- The competition highlighted the importance of education and self-development, as well as personal growth, with AI-powered warehouse drones, smart helmets, AI mental health assistants, and assistive tools for the visually impaired among the university student projects.
- Travel support was provided for three international teams – one each from Hong Kong, India, and Indonesia – to compete in the Start-up category, demonstrating the international engagement that the competition encourages for promoting learning and innovation in technology, war, labor, and travel sectors.
