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.
Impressions SEED 2019
Programme
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.
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
recognize 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
The provisional schedule* looks as follows:
Day 1 - Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 2 - SEED workshop
Day 3 - Transfer to Village and Opening Dinner
Day 4 - Ideation and Business model exploration
Day 5 - Culture visit
Day 6 - Free day with buddies
Day 7 - Culture experience
Day 8 - Expert interview and business model validation
Day 9 - Business model finalization
Day 10 - Final presentation and transfer to Ho Chi Minh City
Day 11 - Farewell Ceremony
Day 12 - Individual departure
*The schedule might be subject to changes.
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.
Application is open from 1 November 2020 to 28 February 2021.
Kick-Off Meeting
May 2021
Provisional Meeting
July 2021
The SEED programme is accredited with 5 ECTS.
For FHNW School of Business students, the credits earned will belong to the Focus Module. 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 field trip, 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.
Flights Participants book and pay flights individually. Latest arrival is on 13 July 2021 early evening.
Accommodation All FHNW participants stay at the same accommodation, organised and offered by the host. The list of accommodation will be communicated in due course.
Liability
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.
Visas
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.
700 CHF (After subsidy reduction)
The fees cover the following:
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.
