From startup mindsets to cultural insights: Innovation-driven Indian students join BUV’s Culture Immersion Programme
Feb 24, 2026
11:31:27
Students from Swarrnim Startup & Innovation University (SSIU) recently joined the Culture Immersion Programme at British University Vietnam (BUV), embarking on a two-week journey designed around three core pillars: academic engagement, industry exposure, and cultural immersion.
At the heart of the programme were interactive academic sessions led by BUV faculty, focusing on entrepreneurship, startup innovation, and Vietnam’s evolving business landscape. Rather than purely theoretical discussions, students were encouraged to connect global concepts with local realities, analysing how startups emerge, scale, and collaborate within Southeast Asia’s fast-growing economy.
A key highlight was the three-day Startup Challenge Hackathon, where SSIU students worked in teams to transform global industry trends into high-impact business concepts. By addressing bottlenecks in international supply chains, distribution, and enterprise management, participants developed solutions designed to be commercially viable and globally competitive. With guidance from BUV faculty and direct feedback from industry experts, teams refined their ideas through an iterative process, strengthening their strategic thinking and pitching skills in an intensive, practice-oriented setting.
“Although I come from a startup and innovation-focused university, I had never initiated a business idea myself before, so this experience felt genuinely new and transformative,” shared Saloni Rajendraprasad Desai. “The mentors and lecturers guided us at every step, from shaping each slide to refining our final evaluation. The materials and global perspectives we gained here are insights I’m certain we wouldn’t easily access back home in India.”
To complement academic learning, the programme incorporated an industry-focused workshop on how corporates and startups collaborate, offering practical insights into innovation ecosystems. A company visit and sharing session further enabled students to engage directly with practitioners, gaining first-hand perspectives on operating and innovating in Vietnam’s business environment.
These activities helped students bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and real-world application, while broadening their understanding of cross-border opportunities.
Beyond campus, students explored the vibrant heritage and contemporary life of Hanoi, discovering its historic landmarks, street culture, and dynamic urban rhythm. A visit to Ninh Binh offered an unforgettable encounter with one of Vietnam’s most iconic natural landscapes, while a hands-on experience at Bat Trang Pottery Village introduced them to traditional craftsmanship and local artistry.
“My experience in Hanoi and the trip to Ninh Binh truly changed my perspective,” said Jasmeet Kaur. “The scenery was incredibly beautiful, and learning about the history made it even more meaningful. Our guide was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable, and I learned a great deal from the journey.”
Building on these shared experiences, a special Culture Exchange session themed around Tết (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) offered deeper insight into Vietnamese customs and values, creating space for meaningful dialogue and shared celebration between Indian and Vietnamese students.
With its vision to become the number one international university in Vietnam and the surrounding region, BUV continues to expand opportunities for cross-cultural engagement. Through programmes like Culture Immersion Programme, BUV aims to empower students with the global mindset and collaborative spirit essential for today’s interconnected world.
- Share
Read more 
Feb 03, 2026
BUV Students Achieve 1st Runner-up at Deloitte SEA Tax Challenge 2026The Taxscape team, representing Vietnam from British University Vietnam (BUV), achieved 1st Runner-up in the Team category at the Deloitte Southeast Asia Tax Challenge 2026 Finals, held in Malaysia. The Deloitte SEA Tax Challenge 2026 Finals brought together six teams from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines, creating a highly competitive environment with […]
Jan 31, 2026
New BUV partnership with startup-driven Indian university to advance innovation and entrepreneurshipBritish University Vietnam (BUV) has taken another significant step in expanding its global academic network by establishing a new strategic partnership with Swarrnim Startup & Innovation University (SSIU), India. This collaboration reflects BUV’s continued commitment to fostering cross-border academic engagement and strengthening educational ties between Vietnam and India. The partnership was formalised through the signing […]
Jan 27, 2026
Arena for Future EntrepreneursAfter a challenging and passion-filled journey, the Grand Final of the “Entrepreneurship Arena” 2025 concluded at the campus of British University Vietnam marking a significant milestone for community-oriented startup ideas driven by Vietnam’s young generation. From Impressive Numbers to a Fiery Final Stage Launched in late 2025, the competition attracted widespread attention with compelling figures: […]
Jan 26, 2026
BUV Scholarships 2026: backing a bold new generation of pioneersBritish University Vietnam (BUV) is launching the BUV Scholarships 2026 Programme, standing alongside a new generation of young people who are ready to lead with confidence. Through these scholarships, the University aims to widen access to an international learning environment for talented students across Vietnam. A Springboard for confident pioneers What should a university scholarship […]
Jan 20, 2026
Sustainable Sport Events: New Opportunity for Vietnam on the Global StageSustainable Sport Events: New Opportunity for Vietnam on the Global Stage Vietnam is facing growing opportunities to host international sporting events. In a global context, however, the ability to deliver events in a sustainable way is increasingly becoming a key criterion for destinations seeking long-term relevance and credibility. From Global Trend to Vietnam’s Opportunity In […]
Jan 20, 2026
Vietnam ranks among the World’s Top 8 “Alternative study abroad destinations”Global student mobility is undergoing a notable shift, with Vietnam emerging as an increasingly attractive destination for international students. According to the latest rankings by EduOpinions, a globally recognised education review platform, Vietnam has been named among the top emerging study abroad destinations worldwide, alongside countries such as Italy, Spain, Portugal, Poland and Lithuania. With nearly 1.3 million visits annually, 45% of which come from Europe, EduOpinions is considered […]
Jan 13, 2026
BUV launches new scholarships to address Vietnam’s shortage of high-skilled software engineers and female technology leadersAs the digital economy is identified as one of Vietnam’s key growth pillars, British University Vietnam (BUV) has officially launched two strategic technology scholarships for 2026: the Tech Queens Scholarship and the Innovation Weaving Scholarship. More than a financial aid, these two initiatives are designed as strategic levers to develop a high-quality technology workforce, directly addressing critical bottlenecks in […]
Jan 12, 2026
TEDx BUV 2025: Break your limits and make the decisive moveRecently, TEDx BUV 2025, themed “Mono-Poly – The Decisive Move,” was held on the campus of British University Vietnam (BUV), providing a welcoming space for open conversations about personal growth, creative thinking, and the evolving role of young people in today’s society. Guided by TED’s global ethos, “Ideas change everything,” the event brought together diverse perspectives […]
Jan 09, 2026
ICCIT 2025: Innovative AI Solutions for a Secure and Connected FutureOn 12 – 13 December 2025, British University Vietnam (BUV) hosted the 3rd International Conference on Innovation and Challenges in Computing and Innovative Technologies for a Sustainable Future (ICCIT 2025), providing an international forum for scholarly exchange on emerging challenges and innovations in computing, artificial intelligence, and digital security. The conference was organised by the […]
Jan 06, 2026
BUV Students Now Have Direct Progression To Master’s Degree At World Top 100 University – University of SheffieldSeamless progression to Russell Group British University Vietnam (BUV) has recently signed a progression agreement with the University of Sheffield. Under this agreement, BUV students have the opportunity to progress to a wide range of business-focused master’s programmes at Sheffield. Eligible students can continue their graduate studies in fields such as Management, Finance, Marketing, Business, […]
