SUMMER COURSE PROGRAM 2024
“Integration-Reality-Experience” is what students described in the Summer Course 2024 with the theme of “Sustainable Agroindustry in rural area”. This is an annual program organized by IPB-Indonesia University in Indonesia. In 2024, for the first time, the program was hosted by the Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Food Technology, Nong Lam University Tp. HCM (CEFT-NLU)
In the Summer of 2024, there will be a three-week course for students focusing on helping farmers in the countryside by coming up with creative product ideas. The course will include both online and offline activities and feature speakers from around the world.
Culture Day is an opening activity for a one-week program in NLU, Vietnam. This is an opportunity for students to immerse themselves in different cultures and for faculty and researchers from around the world to share their experiences. The program was well-received and had participants from:
*Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Food Technology, (CEFT-NLU):
- PGS. Dr. Kha Chan Tuyen - Acting Dean
- Dr. Nguyen Bao Viet - Head of the Department for Chemical Engineering - Dr. Vu Ngoc Ha Vi - Assistant, Student Management
- And lecturers from CEFT, NLU
* Delegates:
- Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Thuy - Head of International Cooperation Office, NLU
- Dr. Hoang Ha Anh - Lecturer, Faculty of Economics, NLU
- Dr. Le Minh Hùng - Director, Sub-Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Post Harvest Technology (SIAEP)
* Representatives of the Summer course:
- Dr. Endang Warsiki - from IPB University - Indonesia
- Dr. Khairul Naim and Ms. Nur Hasuzie Abdullatif - from Putra University Malaysia
Dr. Kha Chan Tuyen, the Acting Dean of CEFT, welcomed delegates and students from Indonesia and Malaysia to the Summer course 2024 in NLU, Vietnam. He emphasized the significance of the course in providing students with valuable knowledge and experience in researching and developing sustainable products. Furthermore, he highlighted that the course also plays a vital role in strengthening collaboration between CEFT - NLU and international partners in the ASEAN region.
The chairman of the Summer Course, Prof. Dr. Endang Warsiki, mentioned that the course had 50 participants from different countries. The Summer Course is an annual academic program for students in the Agroindustry field, first established in Indonesia in 2017. This year, in 2024, the program was organized for the first time in Vietnam. Prof. Dr. Endang Warsiki expressed her gratitude for the warm reception of the Summer Course by Nong Lam University, and especially Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Food Technology. She also expressed hope that CEFT - NLU will continue to support and accompany the program in the future.
The students participated in social and cultural exchange activities. They performed vibrant costumes in a fashion show, presented their rich cultural heritage, and took part in traditional games, creating an atmosphere filled with joy and excitement. Additionally, international students were introduced to Vietnam’s unique coffee culture, experienced traditional Vietnamese coffee making, and enjoyed the traditional Vietnamese coffee.
On the second day in Vietnam, the participants visited Chavi Garden, which is a complex model of ecotourism and agro-production and also Vietnam's largest lemon farm. The co-founder of Chavi Garden shared with the students the story of starting the Chavi company, introduced the Lemon reservation farm, and explained the production processing of Chavi products. The students also visited the manufacturing field and experienced the southern culture through exciting activities on the farm.
The next day, they visited Green Food company, a beverage manufacturer. This tour brought students and lecturers from international universities to learn more about modern technology for producing soft drinks that meet international standards (FDA, ISO22000, Halal, etc.) to ensure high-quality and safe products for consumer health. Additionally, students engaged in in-depth discussions and consultations with Green Food experts on various issues related to production technology, from raw material selection and manufacturing processes to quality control measures. It's noteworthy that all products at Green Food are Halal-certified, making them suitable for Muslim consumption.
The final activity of the course is the "Festival of Agroindustry International" Idea Competition. The students' themes and solutions demonstrate breakthroughs, creativity, practicality, and application towards sustainable agriculture development. The project, belonging to the AVIVO group, won the highest prize from the program. Its theme is “Empowering rural farmers to thrive in the global markets”, and what makes the group special is that its members hail from three countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam.
Furthermore, students from the Department of Food Technology at NLU become cultural and tourism ambassadors, guiding international students to explore numerous historical sites in Ho Chi Minh City. This helps the visitors gain a deeper understanding of Vietnamese culture and history.
The Summer Course 2024 has come to an end. The one-week course in NLU provided insights into Vietnam's agroindustry and cultural heritage. Students learned new knowledge and explored advancements in agriculture and manufacturing.
The closing ceremony was very successful, marking many meaningful moments.
See you at the Summer Course 2025 in Malaysia.
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