DKSH Continues to Empower Vietnamese Students to Innovate for a Better Future at “The Next Innovator 2025”

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, June 30, 2025 – DKSH, a leading market expansion service provider in Asia and beyond, continues the journey of empowering the next generation by evoking the passion for science with “The Next Innovator 2025”, under the collaboration with Ho Chi Minh City Television’s CafeTek, and District 11 authorities in Vietnam. The competition continued to spark innovation among Vietnamese students, with standout ideas addressing urgent environmental and healthcare issues - highlighting the creativity and commitment of the younger generation toward a more sustainable future. At the national finale in Ho Chi Minh City, the five best projects have been selected as winners from a total of 75 submissions received nationwide. 

This year’s competition was open for nationwide participants, engaging students from Grades 6 to 8. Under the slogan "From Lab to Life", which encourages students to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and practical application, “The Next Innovator 2025” challenged students to transform scientific ideas into practical prototypes addressing real-world issues from environmental protection to public health, demonstrating both creativity and applied knowledge for a more sustainable future.

This year’s finale featured the top five teams presenting their projects and defending their ideas before the judging panel. ECOGENZ from Chu Van An Secondary School (District 11, Ho Chi Minh City) emerged as the First Prize winner with their innovative project, pineapple shoe insoles. The idea stood out for its creativity, practical application, environmental sustainability, and promising potential for future development.

As being a strategic partner of the program, DKSH Vietnam played a key role throughout the competition. Experts from DKSH Business Unit Performance Materials and Business Unit Technology provided technical mentoring and hands-on guidance. Additionally, the team from Business Unit Healthcare created exclusive industry exposure opportunities for the top five finalists through a specialized site visit to DKSH’s partner Opella after the competition. Meanwhile, the Business Unit Consumer Goods enhanced the experience by providing refreshments and energy-sustaining supplies, which are part of their product portfolio. To further enrich the students’ experience, DKSH hosted scientific demonstrations, introducing real research materials, instruments, and industrial models at its Innovation Center of the Business Line Food & Beverage Ingredients, Business Unit Performance Materials. These sessions offered valuable exposure to advanced scientific environments, helping students broaden their perspectives and shape their academic and career paths.

Nguyen Tran Binh, Deputy Secretary of the District Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Committee of District 11, Ho Chi Minh City: “We are pleased to partner with DKSH Vietnam to create a meaningful platform for the young generation with ‘The Next Innovator’. The broader reach of this year’s framework brought together a diverse pool of young talents, fostering cross-regional exchange and a dynamic platform for science-based innovation. The competition effectively aligns with the Ministry of Science and Technology’s mission to enhance the quantity and quality of Vietnam’s next generation of scientists.”

Hoang Thi To Nga, General Manager, Business Unit Performance Materials, DKSH Vietnam, shared: “At DKSH, we believe innovation begins with the courage to ask questions and the curiosity to explore the unknown. ‘The Next Innovator’ is more than a competition - it is part of our long-term commitment to nurturing a generation of changemakers who think boldly and act responsibly. By empowering students to turn ideas into action, we are planting the seeds for a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future”.