TVU – The first orientation meeting for TVU’s students who were selected to join International Sustainability Project 2017 (ISP) with Australia’s Swinburne University took place on December 16, 2017 at TVU Campus One’s Management Building.

Group photo with Prof Pham Tiet Khanh (third from left, first row)

The ISP 2017, the fourth year in a row, will kick start on January 8, 2017, involving 40 active academic staff and students of Tra Vinh and Swinburne Universities (SUT).
 
The main aim of the project is to promote awareness of environmental issues and draft practical sustainability projects both within and outside of the campus.
 
TVU students who have successfully passed an essay writing and an interview were selected to join this international project. Among these are 12 English Majors from Year 2 to Year 4.

In addition to working together to explore feasible sustainability projects to submit to TVU Management Board, both SUT and TVU students will have an opportunity to exchange culture and knowledge, sharping their intercultural and teamwork skills.
 
TVU’s ISP 2017 students of the School of Foreign Languages, School of Engineering and Technology, and School of Medicine and Pharmacy will work with SUT students to addess a series of environmental sustainability issues during a two-week long project.
 
Students are scheduled to take part in a variety of activities including the field survey of green situation in the campus and Duyen Hai District, the competition of picking up garbage at TVU Campus 1 and Ba Om Pond, green marathon competition, green painting competition with high school students, eco-fashion show, and travel to nearby provinces to promote environmental awareness.
 
Dr. Ho Dac Tuc, who led the project on the TVU side, said: “Our students not only learn how to work in groups effectively but also create their own green and practical projects freely in a fun and professional environment.”
 
Bao Trang, a final-year English major, said: “That’s exciting. TVU and SUT have an opportunity to work together to protect the environment, our planet. Also, my English skills will be improved more. I can’t wait to see SUT students.”

Thanh Thao, a second-year English major, said: “I have known ISP since last year. To join this program, I must try my best. How wonderful! I got it. It was the chance I had been waiting for.”
 
The orientation meeting ended with a great fun when students had a chance to have a group photo with the TVU Rector, Professor Pham Tiet Khanh, who signed the Talloires Declaration in October 2013 – an international commitment to sustainability in higher education – that laid the ground work for the ISP.
 
ISP 2017 is on. Enjoy the adventure!

News by Do Bich Hong Nhung, senior English major

Photo by Nguyen Yen Thanh, senior English major