Young leaders on changing the community

Young leaders on changing the community

Five prominent student leaders exhibited their ideas in the areas of social responsibility and community service at a recent international leadership symposium in Hanoi.

The five students were winners of the 2016 Generation Impact Challenge and represented RMIT Vietnam at the 7th University Scholars Leadership Symposium(link is external).

Coming from a variety of academic backgrounds, the students took innovative approaches on topics ranging from empowering girls with sex education to organising a campus-wide book exchange.   

In addition to sharing their ideas, the students were inspired by world-renowned life coaches and motivational speakers, as well as by fieldwork in local communities.

"My ‘A Step Closer’ project proposes to open free technical skill training courses for students on topics such as basic coding and programming, social media in marketing practices, and graphic design.

It was surprising to know that many delegates at the symposium were also very interested in educational issues. They experience the same problems in their countries, regardless of whether they came from developed or developing countries. I was deeply inspired by listening to guest speakers and other delegates' ideas.

I also realised that my community is not just within RMIT Vietnam. My project can be transformed to something that promises an even bigger impact"

Cao Thanh Tra
Bachelor of Business (Economics and Finance)

“My project, ‘Dreamliner: the lively bookhouse’, aims to promote bibliophilism – the love of reading and its related benefits to mental wellness and intellectual performance. While sharing the initiative with other delegates from Taiwan, Hong Kong, France and Australia during tea break, I learned a lot about project management, human resources and long-term planning.

The symposium offered an eye-opening, precious opportunity for me, personally, to see a bigger world, to meet amazing personalities and to bond with other delegates in the quest for tackling humanitarian problems like how to make the world a better place.”

Phan Quoc Thinh
Bachelor of Business (International Business)

“My project, ‘Girl's Tomorrow’, aims to empower female secondary students about sex education, including understanding about sexual health education and managing relationships safely.

I had a chance to share my ideas with other delegates from Singapore, China, Philippines, and Vietnam, and the approaches in those countries served as a reference and provided me with other angles to consider.

To me, the symposium was a learning journey. Although we could not make an impact on the Qua Cam Leprosy Hospital in Bac Ninh province in just one day of fieldwork, the trip still motivated us to take action and think about changing the community.”

Vo Thi Diem Trang
Bachelor of Communication (Professional Communication)

“The idea for the “Ladies and Gentlemen” project came from my observation of children public speaking. They did not know how to be more confident, how to behave with audiences, and even forgot what to say and just gave up in the middle of a performance.

Besides sharing my project with friends from Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, China and Indonesia, I was impressed with the passion of the speakers and delegates. They were so enthusiastic about current issues happening around the world and cared not only about local social issues but also issues around the world. And they always dared to do something.”

Nguyen Thanh Tu
Bachelor of Communication (Professional Communication)

“The Symposium was an eye-opening experience for me and many others. Global issues, namely gender discrimination, refugee crises, poverty, child abuse, and so on, are prevalent in almost every corner of the world. But what struck me even more was the determination of global youth to come together to address those challenges.

Leaving the Symposium, every one of us was filled with new knowledge, networks and confidence to help our own communities."

Tran Quang Hoang Long
Bachelor of Communication (Professional Communication)

Delegates at the event hailed from more than 60 countries around the world. In addition to the five Generation Impact Challenge winners, RMIT Vietnam was also represented by 13 President’s Scholars.

Story: Hoang Ha

19 September 2016

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