Looking back at the FIPAD Innovation Contest 2026: Spreading the spirit of proactivity, creativity, and community responsibility among students.

The inaugural season of the "FIPAD Innovation Contest 2026" organized by the Faculty of International Politics and Diplomacy (FIPAD) has officially concluded, yet the humanistic values ​​embodied in the projects continue to spread widely throughout the community. The contest underscores the Faculty’s success in empowering the younger generation to take initiative in the new era; it provided a platform for students to apply interdisciplinary knowledge toward addressing social issues, thereby inspiring a lifestyle of purpose and positive contribution to the community.

From the Grand Finale: Project Results Presentation and Award Ceremony...

On the afternoon of June 13, 2026, the Grand Finale and Award Ceremony of the 2026 Community Innovation Contest took place with resounding success at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, marking the conclusion of a journey dedicated to discovering and nurturing student-led innovative ideas for the benefit of the community.

After several challenging rounds, the top three teams have officially entered the final stage of the competition. Amidst an atmosphere of excitement and enthusiasm, the Organizing Committee was honored to welcome the following experts and scientists serving as judges:

• Honorary Judges: Dr. Le Thi Ngoc Han – Vice Dean of the Faculty of International Politics and Diplomacy and Head of the Competition Organizing Committee; Dr. Do Huyen Trang – Lecturer at the Faculty of International Communication and Culture, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam;
• Main Judges: MA. Tran Huu Duy Minh – Vice Dean of the Faculty of International Law, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam; MA. Nguyen Thuy Van –  former Deputy Head of the Current Affairs Department (VOV1), the Voice of Vietnam (VOV); and Mr. Vu Xuan Thai – Program Manager, For Vietnamese Stature Foundation.

The Grand Finale also welcomed sponsors, supporting organizations, distinguished guests, faculty members, and a large audience comprising students from the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and other universities, as well as the contestants' families, all gathered to cheer for the competing teams.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Le Thi Ngoc Han acknowledged the efforts and creativity of the competing teams and expressed her gratitude to the partners, supporting entities, and the Organizing Committee for their contributions to the event's overall success.

Entering the decisive round, the three teams presented their project implementation results and received feedback and critiques from the Jury. Team Glassshield presented the “SafeHer” project, an initiative aimed at creating a safe online space for women through the “Beyond The Screen” contest and the “Ctrl + FEEL” podcast and workshop series. Team Cop to the Future introduced “TriCOPbutCOOLER”—a summer camp model combining environmental education with skills development—and successfully secured spots for two representatives to attend the upcoming Student COP in Mongolia. Meanwhile, Hearts-to-hearts made a significant impact with “Chạm thức,” a specialized sex education program for children with disabilities at the Thuy An Rehabilitation Center for People with Disabilities, Ha Noi.

After a period of rigorous and impartial deliberation, the Jury identified the deserving winners of the FIPAD Innovation Contest 2026:

In her closing remarks, Ms. Nguyen Thuy Van commended the concept of an innovation platform that bridges theoretical knowledge with practical application, while also offering congratulations and encouragement to the participating teams.

The FIPAD Innovation Contest 2026 not only honors initiatives of high practical value but also fosters a spirit of responsibility, creativity, and dedication among the younger generation toward the community. Although the contest has concluded, the teams' journeys will undoubtedly continue through impactful future projects and positive contributions to society.

... to embrace a modern educational mindset: Empowering young people to grow through experiential learning and community-oriented action

The contest attracted 24 teams comprising 134 participants from the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and various other universities across Hanoi. The total reach and impact of the contest and the teams' projects exceeded expectations, engaging 622 direct beneficiaries and generating 362,210 impressions across the media channels of the Faculty of International Politics and Diplomacy and the participating teams (data compiled by the organizing team and sponsors). This serves as a testament to the contest's widespread influence and the younger generation's readiness to contribute to the community.

During the three-month project implementation phase, the top three teams directly engaged with and addressed pressing social issues. Their projects successfully resonated on an emotional level, raised public awareness, and contributed to building a better, more civilized community. Through this contest, students not only applied their academic knowledge but also took initiative in identifying problems, developing solutions, and managing the implementation process. From being mere participants in the program's activities, they gradually evolved into creators of value for the community.

For "Hearts to Hearts"—the team that won the overall First Prize with an initiative focused on sex education and child protection for children with disabilities—the positive changes observed in the children at the Thuy An Rehabilitation Center for People with Disabilities stand as the most tangible outcome of the project's implementation.

To help children with disabilities access sex education, the team developed an "Escape Room" model featuring role-playing scenarios tailored to the cognitive abilities of different groups. The learning space was transformed into an experiential journey where the children themselves tackled challenges regarding the "Five-Finger Rule," learned to identify dangerous behaviors, and practiced self-protection skills.

Furthermore, driven by a desire to actively address contemporary social issues, the SafeHer Project aims to raise awareness among young people regarding gender-based violence in the digital space. The Glass Shield team (founders of SafeHer) rolled out a series of activities, including expert articles, podcasts, sharing workshops, and a video creation contest. By utilizing communication channels familiar to university students, the team hopes to engage the community and join hands in creating a safe online environment that respects every individual.

Going beyond the immediate impact of individual activities, some initiatives continued to evolve after the program concluded, offering students opportunities to present their ideas on larger platforms.

As part of the FIPAD Innovation Contest 2026, the "TriCOP but COOLER" project organized a series of training sessions and simulation conferences designed to build capacity and foster youth participation in global climate processes.

The draft resolutions and policy recommendations developed by young delegates during the program led to two project members being invited—with full funding—by the UNCCD Secretariat to attend COP17 in Mongolia, thereby opening doors to further amplify the voices of Vietnamese youth at international climate forums.

Notably, the FIPAD Innovation Contest 2026 has garnered significant attention and coverage from mainstream media outlets, helping to spread the contest's message and significance among the younger generation. The Faculty of International Politics and Diplomacy is pleased to presen several articles regarding the contest:

- "Accompanying over 3,000 students on a journey of learning, development, and creating value for the community"

- "When young people are given the opportunity to turn ideas into action"

- "Empowering young people to grow through community-oriented experiences and action"

Some photos from the event: