Social Entrepreneurship for Economic Development

School of Business

Shape the future of global business. This unique programme combines entrepreneurship, international experience and sustainability to prepare you for impact-driven leadership in a connected world.

Factsheet

Degree: Check with your dean of studies if and how this module will be accepted at your specific degree programme
Study mode: Full-time
Learning environment: Onsite
ECTS points: 5
Next start: 14.7.2026
Duration: 1.5 weeks
Language: English
Place: Vietnam – Depending on travel restriction, module can be organised online.
Staying abroad: Mandatory
Application fee: CHF 700

At a glance

Accelerated learning: Complete an intensive programme in Vietnam.
Entrepreneurial mindset: Learn how to develop ideas into real ventures with expert support and mentoring.
Focus on sustainability: Tackle real-world challenges and create solutions with long-term impact.
Taught entirely in English: Build your global career with a programme designed for an international audience.
Innovative learning format: Combine theory, practice and intercultural teamwork from day one.

Why study this?

Goals

After completing this programme, students will be able to:

understand what entrepreneurs do and examine how free-enterprise economies work and how entrepreneurs fit into them
recognise and evaluate business opportunities based on the analysis of local conditions with their own individual skills
identify how profit works as a signal to the entrepreneur
determine how to work cross-culturally and enhance the entrepreneurial mindset
reflect on personal experience in cross-cultural leadership development and learning in a real-life context
apply innovative thinking, technological knowledge and skills in a real environment beyond the classroom

Target group

The SEED programme is designed for internationally minded, socially engaged, and entrepreneurial students who are passionate about driving positive change in society and the economy. It targets bachelor’s students in business, economics, or related fields who want to combine academic excellence with hands-on experience in real-world, impact-oriented projects.

Impressions

Structure and programme contents

The Social Entrepreneurship for Economic Development project (SEED) is a cross-cultural programme utilizing social entrepreneurship as means towards economic progress. It provides structured opportunities for students all over the world to converge interact and conduct on-site research as basis for development of real-time business plans. The programme seeks to provide off-campus cross-cultural experiences that will enable participants to advance in the application of research-based strategies, theories and principles. Further, it also seeks to promote transformative education through intercultural exposures.

Schedule

The provisional schedule* looks as follows:

Day 1 – July 14: Arrival
Day 2 – July 15: Social Entrepreneurship workshop
Day 3 – July 16: Business insights
Day 4 – July 17: Value proposition
Day 5 – July 18: Business model development
Day 6 – July 19: Culture insights
Day 7 – July 20: Focus group discussion
Day 8 – July 21: Benchmark study and analysis
Day 9 – July 22: Business model finalisation
Day 10 – July 23: Final presentation
Day 11 – July 24: Individual departure

*The schedule might be subject to changes.

Requirements and admission

This programme is open to Swiss and international students from all faculties as well as university employees.The number of participants from FHNW is limited to 20.

Organisational matters

Application

Students can submit their application until March 20. Please note that your application is binding.

Registration

Credits

The SEED programme is accredited with 5 ECTS.

For FHNW School of Business students, the credits earned will belong to the Focus Module (Intensive Programme Abroad). Students from other schools are advised to check with the responsible head of programme if and how this module will be accredited at the specific degree programme.

There will be no written exams. Students will be graded by group presentations, group work, and an individual briefing paper. The teaching and learning methods used are workshops, plenary discussions, site visit, presentations and team coaching.

At the end of the projects, participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance. On successful completion of the SEED programme, participants will receive an official Transcript of Records featuring the ECTS credits and grade achieved for the Autumn Semester.

Destination

Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, is Vietnam’s economic and financial center. Accounting for one-third of Vietnam’s GDP, this dynamic city of over 10 million inhabitants is on widely seen as one of the fastest growing markets for technology and manufacturing in the region and the top emerging property market in Asia-Pacific.

Flights

Participants book (and pay) flight Individually.

Arrival date: the first day of the programme.

Departure date: the last day of the programme.

Accommodation

All FHNW participants stay at the same accommodation, organised and offered by the host.

Insurance / Visa

Insurance

Participants are advised to contact the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in Switzerland or in their respective country and enquire about whether entry permits and visas are required. The University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland does not cover visa costs or any cost involved in an unsuccessful application.

Visas

FHNW is only responsible for the quality of the programme. It does not act as a travel agency. The liability for all aspects of the travel agreements lies within the responsibility of each participant individually.

Fee

700 CHF (incl. Registration fee, SEED Seminar and Workshop throughout the programme, Programme Kit, Board and Lodging (most meals, shared room/home stay), Airport and Land Transfers (domestic transportation), Certificate, and Tokens.)

*It does not include air ticket, visa fee, and insurance during the programme.

Downloads

Factsheet Social Entrepreneurship for Economic Development (PDF)