My Journey with the Hult Prize on Campus at UFLS

December 6, 2020, marks a memorable day in my experience as a judge for the Hult Prize On Campus at the University of Foreign Languages – University of Da Nang (UFLS), Vietnam. This event was the culmination of more than two months of hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm from students, organizers, and mentors.






The Beginning of a Journey

The Hult Prize On Campus at UFLS officially launched in September 2020, as part of a global initiative to inspire young people to create social enterprises that address the world’s most pressing challenges. This year’s theme was “Food for Good,” challenging students to develop sustainable and impactful solutions related to food.

From the very start, the program received enthusiastic participation from students. Over 40 students from various departments formed more than 12 project teams. Through two rounds of judging and intense mentoring, four outstanding teams emerged as finalists, ready to pitch their business ideas at the final event.

An Invitation to Judge

It was an honor to receive the invitation to be part of the judging panel for the final round. The Hult Prize program organizers made sure I had all the necessary materials to prepare, including information about the competition’s criteria and background on the theme. The excitement was building up as the final event drew near.

The Final Round

The final competition took place on December 6, 2020, at Café Trung Nguyên Legend in Da Nang. Due to the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the organizers had to make adjustments to ensure the safety of everyone involved. While the event was not as widely attended as initially planned, it still maintained an atmosphere full of energy and hope.

The top four teams presented their innovative ideas to a panel of five judges. Despite the challenges, the teams demonstrated incredible creativity and passion, which was inspiring to witness. The event was filled with excitement, intense competition, and emotions as each team passionately pitched their ideas.

A Winning Idea

In the end, the Jackfruit Team claimed the top spot with their innovative idea: a food product made from crickets, designed to provide a sustainable food source, especially in times of natural disasters like storms and floods. Their project stood out not only for its creativity but also for its potential to address real community challenges. The team earned the opportunity to advance to the Hult Prize Southeast Asia round, moving one step closer to competing for the global prize of $1 million.

Reflecting on the Experience

Being part of this event was a rewarding experience. It was inspiring to see so much potential and passion in the students, and it was an honor to contribute to their journey. The organizers, mentors, and students made this event a resounding success, despite the challenging circumstances.

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Hult Prize On Campus at UFLS, and I extend my heartfelt thanks to the organizing committee for their invitation and warm hospitality. Their dedication to building a supportive startup ecosystem for young people is truly commendable.

The memories from this experience will stay with me for a long time, and I look forward to seeing the amazing impact these young innovators will continue to make.

Event Date: Dec 10, 2020 

Venue: Trung Nguyen Cafe & Co-working Space, Danang

Location: 102 Đống Đa, Thuận Phước, Hải Châu, Đà Nẵng 550000, Vietnam

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