“The teenage generation’s creative thinking might hold the solutions to the dilemmas we face.” These are words from Yong-sup Kim, Deputy General Director in charge of External Affairs of Samsung Vietnam at Samsung Solve for Tomorrow event. In Vietnam, Solve for Tomorrow, a STEM-based student idea competition has taken place every year since 2019. Solve for Tomorrow is a playground for young Vietnamese students to bustle and thrive on their ideas, develop them into real-life prototypes, and see with their own eyes how each of their idea can bring an impact to society.

The students who participated in Solve for Tomorrow presented valuable ideas that were greatly appreciated by the jury. Among entries were healthcare and digital app ideas that improved the library and hospital experience to students and patients, each. Read on to find out more about these student innovations.

Realizing dreams

“During the pandemic, access to public libraries was severely limited,” shared Team Blue Dream from Da Nang, winners of the grand prize in the middle school category. “We found it nearly impossible to read or manage book borrowings and returns due to the necessity for contactless operations. That’s when our brainstorming sessions kicked off.”

In response to the need to curb disease transmission, Blue Dream conceived the ‘Smart Library Management System’. “Our aim was to provide students with access to books and simplify the borrowing and return processes,” they explained. Their concept received resounding praise from organizers, and their efforts bore fruit as the app not only came to fruition but also earned recognition at Solve for Tomorrow. Furthermore, it is expected to be put into pilot usage within their school, with plans for broader implementation ahead.

Nguyen Minh Thu, a key member of the team, conveyed a big thank you towards Solve for Tomorrow, emphasizing its role as more than a mere educational platform. She said, “We challenged ourselves and stepped out of our comfort zones to reach to the end of the competition, a win. This is just a beginning of our tech journey. We are eager to see and experience what comes next.”

Building future with technology

The champion of the high school category was the Future Team from Truong Xuan High School in Dong Thap province. The students built a successful model for their project ‘IoT hospital beds’. Recognizing the importance of connecting patients for both their mental and physical well-being, the students developed a bed integrated with digital devices. “Patients with infectious diseases and the elderly at home can use this bed, which is linked to digital devices enabling medical institutions and caregivers monitor their status,” explained the team.

One of the team members from Team Future said, “Thanks to the knowledge gained from the competition, my team made timely adjustments while testing the project model. I believe STEM knowledge and soft skills have been invaluable and will play a pivotal role in our next step ahead whether in academics or career building.”

Another member highlighted the confidence gained in nurturing their passion for technology. “Overcoming challenge is a mind game. When you dare to think and do anything, anything becomes possible,” they remarked. “We faced difficulties. These obstacles could only make the path more challenging but couldn’t stop us from cooperating harder and being even more eager to learn from our mentors.”