Vietnamese food tech students to showcase talents in Thailand

This trip is the reward for winners of the Safe Food Competition for Young Achievers, organised by the Saigon Technology University, the Vietnam Association of Food Science and Technology and the International Union of Food Science and Technology.

As the official sponsor of the competition, UBM Asia (Thailand), a leading exhibitor in the ASEAN region, will finance the winning group’s visit to Fi Asia – the largest exhibition of food ingredients in the ASEAN region, held in Bangkok (Thailand) from September 9 to 11.

At Fi Asia, the students will present their ideas and finished products to 500 exhibitors from leading food firms across the world and to 14,000 visitors, most of whom are wholesalers and distributors in the food and beverage industry.

The list of selected students will be announced on May 20 during the Food Ingredients Vietnam exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City.

“This is a golden opportunity for Vietnamese food technology students who often lack international experience and contacts. It is possible that they can catch an overseas buyer’s attention and apply their ideas to real commercial products,” said Professor Luu Duan, head of the Food Technology Faculty at Saigon Technology University.

Rungphech Chitanuwat, business director at UBM Asia, told VIR that the firm was delighted to help nurture the next generation of food scientists in Vietnam.

“We hope to expand the competition to more countries next year and assist more students,” she revealed.

Running in its second year, the Safe Food Competition for Young Achievers aims to encourage food technology students to apply theoretical knowledge to commercially viable products. It is a prerequisite that all students must use safe and environmentally friendly ingredients for their product ideas and present their proposals in English.

This year, 20 finalists from nine universities in Ho Chi Minh City, Ba Ria – Vung Tau and Tien Giang were chosen based on their creative proposals.