NTTU Joins Collaborative Program with Singapore Polytechnic Toward Sustainable Development Goals

From September 23 to 27, 2024, a delegation from Nguyen Tat Thanh University (NTTU), led by Dr. Tran Ai Cam – President of NTTU, participated in a series of professional activities at Singapore Polytechnic (SP) as part of an international cooperation program aimed at advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The delegation included university executives and representatives from units in charge of international cooperation and innovation.

During the visit, the delegation attended the International Learning Festival (ILF) 2024, the opening ceremony of the Design Thinking for Coordinators (LeX) training program, and engaged in knowledge exchange with representatives from partner universities across Southeast Asia, India, and Malaysia.

The collaboration between NTTU and SP is centered on identifying local community challenges, analyzing root causes, and co-designing practical and sustainable solutions to improve production processes while conserving energy and resources — aligning closely with sustainable development objectives. These solutions are designed to be cost-effective, time-efficient, and community-driven.

Looking ahead to 2025, both institutions plan to launch their first joint field initiative in Cu Chi District, Vietnam. The project will establish a deployment team of 30 students and 3 faculty members from each university to conduct fieldwork, co-develop solutions, and apply the Design Thinking approach to address local production challenges and support sustainable rural development.

The LeX training program follows a Flipped Learning model, equipping participants with hands-on tools and frameworks while encouraging emotional engagement through real-life local issues. The course focuses on the four core stages of Design Thinking: Sensitivity, Empathy, Ideate, and Prototype, with case studies shared from previous years by partner universities across the region.

This working visit marked a significant milestone in the growing partnership between NTTU and SP, laying a strong foundation for future joint initiatives that promote sustainability, innovation, and meaningful community impact.

Discussing Design Thinking for SDGs at Singapore Polytechnic

International Relations Department