Paving the way for a sustainable future: RMIT Vietnam’s week-long green initiative

Paving the way for a sustainable future: RMIT Vietnam’s week-long green initiative

RMIT Vietnam marked a significant milestone in its sustainability journey by hosting its inaugural Sustainability Week earlier this month.

The event, themed ‘Resilience and Regeneration: Creating a sustainable tomorrow’, featured more than 20 industry experts from various sectors.

Throughout the week, the campus buzzed with excitement as students, staff and guests shared insights through panel discussions, interactive workshops and design showcases to inspire sustainable practices. The initiative demonstrated the University’s holistic approach to sustainability, moving beyond theoretical concepts to encourage tangible community involvement.

Alt Text is not present for this image, Taking dc:title 'news-1-sustainability-week-2024' RMIT Vietnam’s Interim Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Julia Gaimster (left) talked to partipants during Sustainability Week.

RMIT Vietnam’s Interim Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Julia Gaimster said: “RMIT Vietnam’s Sustainability Week is a chance for our community and wider communities to discover the University's 7Rs Sustainability Culture, explore sustainability through an interdisciplinary lens and connect with organisations making real impacts in Vietnam.”

The event coincided with the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, released in June, which ranked RMIT 5th globally for impact against the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs).

As part of RMIT’s Knowledge with Action strategy until 2031, the University is committed to advancing sustainability. It is embedding sustainability principles and practices throughout learning and teaching, research, and operational activities.

A week of impactful discussions and expert insights

The event explored sustainability through four interconnected themes.

Empowering the green workforce

Ms Cao Le Thanh Loan, Operations Manager and HR consultant at Manpower Group Vietnam, presented data showing 70 percent of global employers plan to recruit green talent. The discussion examined Vietnam's strategy on green growth for 2021-2030, and how this drives economic restructuring and enhances competitive capacity. Industry leaders, including Mr Keith Donald Schulz Jr. (Chief Sustainability Officer at Motul Asia Pacific), Ms Nguyen Thao My (Brand Strategist at Rice Studios), and Mr Christopher Jordan (Head of Coffee and Manufacturing at Highlands Coffee), explored career opportunities in the sustainability sector.

Alt Text is not present for this image, Taking dc:title 'news-2-sustainability-week-2024' Leadership roundtable on green careers

Making conscious choice

Mr Pham Chi Uy, Senior Manager of FMCG at NielsenIQ Vietnam, analysed key trends and barriers in sustainable consumption. Mr Pham Cong Danh, Co-founder and Creative Director of Project Pluto, addressed how communication and branding strategies influence consumer behaviour and environmental impact.

Adopting circular economy

Associate Professor Nguyen Quang Trung, Head of the Department of Management and Co-lead of Smart and Sustainable Cities Hub at RMIT Vietnam, together with Associate Professor Nguyen Hong Quan, Director of The Institute for Circular Economy Development at Vietnam National University, presented the fundamentals of circular economy implementation. A panel moderated by Mr Nguyen Huu Hoang, Sustainability Manager at Heineken Vietnam, introduced more insights from Mr Truong Anh Hai (Vice President of Occupational Health, Safety, Environment and Community at NS BlueScope Vietnam) and Ms Mai Ha Thanh Uyen (Senior Business Sustainability Manager at Dow Chemical Vietnam). They discussed digital technology integration, infrastructure development, and stakeholder collaboration in circular economy initiatives.

Plant well, eat well practices

Mr Gricha Safarian, Founder and Managing Director of Puratos Grand-Place Vietnam examined sustainable practices in cocoa farming, exploring how this crop can drive positive environmental and social impact through ethical sourcing and eco-friendly production methods while supporting farming communities.

Interactive workshops and sustainability showcase

Throughout the week, RMIT Vietnam’s staff, students and guests also joined activities to bring sustainable concepts and practices to life.

Alt Text is not present for this image, Taking dc:title 'news-3-sustainability-week-2024' Sustainability impact challenge

The RMIT Sustainability Impact Challenge saw four finalist teams present their innovative solutions to representatives from RMIT Vietnam, A.P. Moller Maersk, and Highlands Coffee.

Alt Text is not present for this image, Taking dc:title 'news-4-sustainability-week-2024' Herbal body soap making workshop

The herbal soap making workshop gave participants scientific knowledge behind natural skincare and let them experience making their own body-soap. 

Alt Text is not present for this image, Taking dc:title 'news-5-sustainability-week-2024' The Climate Fresk workshop

The Climate Fresk workshop helped participants understand the physics and consequences of climate change, expanded their knowledge and accelerated their sustainability journey.

Alt Text is not present for this image, Taking dc:title 'news-6-sustainability-week-2024' Green cooking class

During the Cooking class, participants gained hands-on experience in sustainable cooking with Chef Cao Nguyen Tan Loc, Director of FJW and Ms Tran Thi Ngoc Chau, Doctoral Research Fellow of Nutrition and Health at RMIT Vietnam. 

Alt Text is not present for this image, Taking dc:title 'news-7-sustainability-week-2024' Interactive and informative booths at the week-long showcase

The event featured an open-access showcase highlighting RMIT’s ongoing sustainability initiatives. Attendees could engage with interactive games that illustrated environmental principles, explore exhibits showcasing locally sourced materials and products, witness demonstrations of sustainable practices in everyday operations, and attend presentations on RMIT’s current environmental projects.

Nguyen Phuong Thao Vy, a Digital Marketing student and Sustainability Ambassador, was thrilled with the week.

“I have gained a wealth of knowledge about sustainability, green choices and an eco-friendly lifestyle, and I am excited to share these insights with my circle and community,” Vy said.

The week concluded with a celebration of achievements and key learnings, reinforcing RMIT’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

Ms Trinh Thi Anh Phuong, Sustainability Manager at RMIT Vietnam, said: “Through engaging in activities and workshops, we aim to instil a sustainable mindset and awareness in our communities, encouraging them to take action towards building a greener future together.”

Story: Ha Hoang

20 November 2024
Engage

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