Disha Shah Ghosh - Mumbai VFS Global has joined hands with not-for-profit VinUniversity in Hanoi, Vietnam, to support its innovative Dynapath project and empower youth through skilling programmes, thereby enhancing employability in Vietnam.
As part of this initiative, VFS Global will support VinUniversity in implementing a proof of concept at its Visa Application Centre in Hanoi. To ensure the success of this endeavour, VFS Global will provide funding to implement and subsequently scale the initiative to other locations, thereby promoting sustainability and raising awareness for future environment friendly and sustainable initiatives.
The Dynapath project by Nguyen Thao Van, Tran Dinh Le Hoang and Pham Gia Khuyen, was developed as part of the Sustainable Hospitality Challenge (SHC), by Hotelschool The Hague, the world’s largest global student competition, which promotes collaboration with the next generation and empowers them to lead the way in driving sustainable change.
The project transforms plastic waste into high-performance kinetic tiles that generate electricity from foot traffic using piezoelectric technology, offering a sustainable, energy-efficient flooring solution that reduces plastic pollution and provides renewable energy in high-traffic areas like hotels and airports. This environmentally friendly project was developed as part of SHC, where it reached the finals and earned “The Most Sustainable Impact Award” at FHS World Dubai in October 2024. Following this success, the project also won the inaugural Investors’ Nest competition at the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)’s 24th Global Summit in Perth, Western Australia, later that same month.
Zubin Karkaria, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, VFS Global Group, said, “Creating value for society through continuous innovation, sustainability, development of human capital are deeply imbedded in the cultural fabric of VFS Global. In line with which we are very proud and committed to be associated with this project, encouraging young entrepreneurs through business incubation programmes and upskilling students while simultaneously aligning with Vietnam’s national goals of empowering youth through skilling and vocational training.”
Julia Simpson, President and Chief Executive Officer, WTTC, said, “The Dynapath project is a testament to the power of innovation in driving sustainable practices within our industry. Initiatives like this not only address critical environmental challenges but also empower the next generation to lead with purpose. We are proud to see one of our Global Summit winners making such a significant impact, and we commend VFS Global and VinUniversity for their collaboration in advancing sustainability and youth empowerment in Vietnam.”
John Evans, Dean of College of Business Management, VinUniversity, said, “On behalf of our college, I extend heartfelt gratitude to VFS Global for their invaluable support in fostering our students’ innovative sustainable green solutions for the travel and hospitality industries. Your partnership empowers the next generation of entrepreneurs to create a more sustainable future, blending creativity with responsibility to address global challenges.”
Paul Griep and Stella Van Toor, Directors of The Sustainable Hospitality Challenge by Hotelschool The Hague, said, “We sincerely thank VFS Global for their unwavering support in championing students’ innovative and sustainable solutions. Your commitment to nurturing these bright minds and promoting sustainability inspires meaningful change and paves the way for a greener, more responsible future in the industry. This perfectly reflects our vision for the Sustainable Hospitality Challenge as a platform where students from technology, hospitality, and design collaborate to create market-ready solutions that drive real-world impact.”
