Students present their project at the event. Photo courtesy of the ASU

HCMC - Students from Danang University of Science and Technology won first prize with their innovative project designing tractor-powered harvesting tools to reduce manual labour, enhance productivity, and support sustainable and community-driven farming practices.

The prize was announced at the Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) Final Showcase held at Cao Thang Technical College in Ho Chi Minh City on April 11.

Second prize came to students from Lac Hong University in Ho Chi Minh City with a project on developing an assistive app for the mute and hearing-impaired, using sign language recognition technology to convert gestures into text or speech. The app also includes image translation and a sign language course library to promote inclusive communication.

Meanwhile, students from Phenikaa University won the third prize for their project on

addressing urban air pollution. The team created the Fresh Air Purification Tower, which filters fine particles (PM2.5/PM10) and CO2 from the air. Their solution not only improves air quality but also offers added value through carbon credits and recycled materials for construction.

The showcase marks the exciting conclusion of the seventh round of the EPICS programme in Vietnam. Supported by Dow Vietnam and Arizona State University (ASU), the event continues to highlight the transformative power of STEM education, student innovation, and community service.

EPICS is an internationally recognised, design-based, service-learning programm in which student teams collaborate with community organisations to design, build, and deploy systems that address real-world social issues. Over a five-month period, student teams experience the full cycle of innovation—from ideation to prototyping—while also practicing communication and project management in a technical context.

At the event, 21 student teams made up of 113 students from top technology universities in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Can Tho, and Ha Noi presented solutions to a diverse set of challenges. These included clean water access, sustainable agriculture, assistive technologies for the elderly and people with disabilities, waste treatment, and public health awareness.

With Dow Vietnam’s support now totaling $280,000, the programme has created over 1,500 opportunities for students since its inception—nurturing both technical capacity and social awareness in the next generation of engineers.