The RMIT Vietnam Strategic Innovation Challenge is a vehicle through which we invest in Vietnam and the region with funds generated by RMIT University Vietnam.
A major initiative funded by RMIT Vietnam’s $250m strategic investment fund, the RMIT Vietnam Strategic Innovation Challenge supports new ideas and initiatives that will make a genuine impact on the communities in which we operate, by contributing to the economic and social prosperity of Vietnam.
This will take the form of a series of rolling challenges from 2023 onwards through which RMIT staff will be invited to pitch innovative funding proposals for creative and collaborative initiatives to achieve our strategic goals. These projects will reflect our Vietnam Country Commitment.
Supported by the Hanoi Industry and Innovation Hub, the Challenge will enable projects that demonstrate how RMIT leads in the four key areas of emerging technologies, smart and sustainable cities, social innovation and regional collaboration.
This project aims to revolutionize education in Vietnam by implementing a comprehensive training program on advanced AI technologies and associated pedagogical approaches for educators. It will feature national AI in Education Contests and Vietnam Education Exchange events at RMIT campuses in 2025 and 2026, enabling educators to enhance AI-driven teaching practices and drive educational transformation across Vietnam. The initiative intends to engage stakeholders from schools, universities, and educational authorities to ensure widespread accessibility and lasting impact, positioning RMIT Vietnam as a hub for educational innovation. It will also offer research-based insights to assist policymakers on AI integration in Vietnam's education system.
Contact: Dr. Linh Duc Tran and Mr. Thanh Pham
SPARK Hub, launched in April 2024 at The Sentry P in District 2, Ho Chi Minh City, is an innovative ecosystem created through a collaboration between RMIT University Vietnam, Reactor School, and The Sentry. This off-campus hub fosters RMIT students' and alumni's entrepreneurial ambitions by providing a supportive platform for idea transformation, bridging academia and industry. It enhances RMIT Vietnam's regional influence through mentorship and resources for venture development, facilitating connections among students, alumni, staff, and industry partners. SPARK Hub contributes to Vietnam's economic and social prosperity, supporting government digital objectives and reinforcing RMIT's leadership in innovation and entrepreneurship in Southeast Asia.
Contact: Dr Justin Xavier
The E-Prodigy project magnifies RMIT leadership to serve communities and create inclusive societies in Asia Pacific. Building on two preliminary consultation workshop series that the project team organised in 2024, it aims to decode extant discourses in the policy, practice, and research pertaining to disability and emerging technologies in Vietnam. A collaboration of SCD, TBS, and SSET, the project activates local actors and initiatives through enabling members of the communities to engage in meaningful multistakeholder dialogues.
It embeds community empowerment and engagement activities to the existing infrastructure that the government, disability organisations, and tech companies have established while influencing practices that promote a more inclusive practice in tech development and deployment in social life. The project spans from January 2025 to December 2026.
Contact: Dr Abdul Rohman
Based in Ho Chi Minh City, this project creates a sustainability portal with media and communication partners to help Vietnam Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) integrate the 17 Sustainable Development Goals into their curricula. The portal offers open access to resources like articles, case studies, and innovative sustainability education methods, including AI, ensuring curricula remain relevant. Over three years, the project also provides workshops and publications to help HEIs tackle social challenges and develop smart, sustainable cities. By connecting RMIT with key stakeholders across various sectors, the project enhances regional collaboration and highlights RMIT's leadership in sustainability education in Southeast Asia.
Contact: Dr. Long TV Nguyen
Urban university campuses offer significant opportunities to advance sustainability initiatives, particularly in air quality and heat management, through campus greening and nature-based solutions. However, tracking these small urban green spaces is challenging. Collaborating with RMIT Property Services, the School of Communication and Design, Alluvium, and Can Tho University, this project aims to develop a digital tool on an in-house blockchain to track campus green spaces. It encourages community-based data provision from students and staff for accuracy. Insights from RMIT's implementation will be shared with Can Tho University to foster a regional network for campus greening and traceability.
Contact: Dr. Kok Seng Kiong
The InduX project is a gamified induction program for RMIT Vietnam's new students, easing their transition from high school to university. Using emerging technologies, it exemplifies digital-first, interactive education, supporting RMIT Vietnam's commitment to innovation in social and smart learning solutions. InduX fosters collaboration among students, staff, and industry mentors, enhancing student engagement and preparation while reducing teaching staff workload. It involves first-year students, peer mentors, faculty, and industry professionals, strengthening Vietnam’s educational ecosystem. Launching online in Semester 1, 2026, InduX aims to equip students with academic and social success skills.
Contact: Dr Rachel Jahja & Dr Renusha Athugala
The RMIT Fashion Incubator aims to boost Vietnam's local fashion industry by offering a platform for emerging talents and aspiring fashion entrepreneurs to innovate and collaborate. Initially focusing on RMIT students and alumni, it supports the ideation and launch of fashion businesses by connecting them with local resources, industry mentors, and RMIT lecturers. The incubator also engages the wider Vietnamese fashion community, promoting sustainable development across the Asia Pacific. It helps RMIT Melbourne students access Vietnam's resources, aiding Australian entrepreneurs. Collaborating with two industry veterans, the project begins in April 2025 to structure the incubation process.
Contact: Mr. Huiteng Wang (Ethan)
The Imaginarium at RMIT Vietnam is a cutting-edge learning space designed to showcase emerging technologies and enable high-quality video production. Supported by RMIT Vietnam's schools and partnerships with RMIT Australia, it integrates AI, AR/VR, and other technologies to position RMIT as a leader in tech-enhanced learning. Potential partnerships with leading international tech companies are under discussion to foster digital fluency, interdisciplinary collaboration, and industry connections. Located at SGS campus, it enhances student learning and supports Vietnam's digital transformation. Serving as a regional innovation hub, it aligns with RMIT's impact goals in the Asia Pacific, with a phased rollout starting in Q2 2025.
Contact: Nick McIntosh
This project is a short documentary highlighting how small-scale architectural studios in Ho Chi Minh City create innovative, sustainable designs amidst urbanisation and climate change challenges. It supports RMIT Vietnam's leadership in smart, sustainable cities by showcasing climate-adaptive, community-focused architecture and fostering regional collaboration with local architects, NGOs, and academics. Featuring interviews with architects, experts, and researchers, the documentary targets architects, policymakers, academics, and the public, with plans for national and international screenings. Premiering in early 2026, it promotes Vietnamese design innovation, inspires sustainable practices, and offers RMIT Vietnam students and staff interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities.
Contact: Dr Rachel Jahja
This project establishes a digital archive capturing daily life in Ho Chi Minh City through community contributions and multimedia integration. Aimed at supporting sustainable urban development, it prioritises community-driven decision-making and fosters civic engagement by connecting residents to their heritage. Collaborating with Vietnam National Archive II, local institutions, and RMIT Vietnam, the archive will incorporate academic research and creative outputs, ensuring cultural diversity and educational value. It will engage younger generations through outreach programs while documenting the city’s evolution. The platform will be globally accessible, offering a model for future urban archives.
Contact: Andrew Stiff
RMIT Cyber Arena is developing a cloud-based mini cyber range at RMIT Vietnam, offering a hands-on lab for students to simulate cyber threats and defences. Through red teaming, blue teaming, interactive simulations, and Capture-The-Flag challenges, students gain practical cybersecurity skills, enhancing problem-solving and workforce readiness. Supporting smart, sustainable cities, the Arena equips students to protect digital assets and infrastructure. It also fosters regional collaboration with events like CTF competitions, positioning RMIT Vietnam as a cybersecurity education hub in Southeast Asia. This 12-month initiative, from December 2024 to November 2025, strengthens RMIT Vietnam's leadership in innovation and education.
Contact: Dr Huo Chong Ling
This country commitment explains the actions RMIT Vietnam will take for the years ahead to fulfil our promises and societal responsibilities.
Find out more about our history, strategy, values and commitments.
RMIT Vietnam works with our research partners to develop and apply knowledge, in order to shape a better world.