On the morning of December 7, 2025, the Closing and Award Ceremony of the 27th Euréka Student Scientific Research Awards 2025 took place at Tran Chi Dao Hall – Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade (HUIT) excellently secured 01 Second Prize in the field of Resources and Environment, 01 Third Prize in Food Technology, and 04 Consolation Prizes (comprising 03 in Food Technology and 01 in Chemistry).

In 2025, the Euréka Student Scientific Research Awards attracted 2,179 projects from 6,684 contestants representing 161 universities, colleges, and academies nationwide. Participants competed across 15 fields: (1) Chemistry; (2) Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences; (3) Biology; (4) Information Technology; (5) Food Technology; (6) Engineering and Technology; (7) Agricultural Sciences; (8) Resources and Environment; (9) Educational Sciences; (10) Administration and Law; (11) Economics; (12) Planning, Architecture, and Construction; (13) Social Sciences; (14) Culture and Arts; and (15) Physics. The projects were evaluated by a Scientific Council consisting of Professors, Associate Professors, experts, and scientists from universities, research institutes, agencies, and enterprises. The Council worked with high expertise and impartiality to select the most outstanding projects for the awards. The Organizing Committee of the 2025 Euréka Awards honored 192 exceptional projects from 152 institutions across the country. The winning projects were recognized not only for their high scientific value but also for their novelty, creativity, and focus on solving practical issues. Many studies hold high potential for application and have been successfully transferred, providing practical and timely solutions for society.

An overview of the closing ceremony.

HUIT performed excellently with 06 projects advancing to the Final Round across 03 different fields. Students from the Faculty of Food Technology, the Faculty of Chemical Engineering, and the Faculty of Tourism and Culinary Arts demonstrated the scientific research capacity and proactive creativity of HUIT students. Congratulations to the students and mentors whose brilliance has contributed to enhancing the University's academic prestige and research achievements.

The Second Prize in the field of Resources and Environment was awarded to the project: "Research and fabrication of Biogum from Jute (Corchorus olitorius L.) byproducts as a coagulant aid for textile wastewater treatment," conducted by students Nguyen Van Hoang, Duong Trieu Vy, Nguyen Nam Hung, Tran Huy Tin, and Nguyen Vo My Anh; Mentors: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tan Phong and Dr. Nguyen Duc Dat Duc – Faculty of Biology and Environmental Science.

The project "Research and fabrication of biogum from Jute (Corchorus olitorius L.) byproducts as a coagulant aid for textile wastewater treatment" aims to develop eco-friendly water treatment materials from domestic raw sources. The objective is to extract and evaluate the effectiveness of biogum in the coagulation process of textile wastewater, replacing toxic synthetic polymers. Its novelty lies in exploiting underutilized agricultural byproducts, targeting practical applications in industrial wastewater treatment with low cost and environmental friendliness. The product of the project is natural, biodegradable biogum, contributing to the development of green materials and promoting a circular economy.

The HUIT student group honored with the Second Prize in the field of Resources and Environment.

The Third Prize in the field of Food Technology was awarded to the project: "Research on extraction and evaluation of functional properties of protein from Macadamia pomace," conducted by students Cao Minh Danh, Vo Thi Hoang My, Dang Mai Phuong, and Do Hoang Anh Khoa; Mentor: Dr. Huynh Thai Nguyen – Faculty of Food Technology.

The project "Research on extraction and evaluation of functional properties of protein from Macadamia pomace" aims to utilize high-protein byproducts (30-34%) from the macadamia oil processing industry in Vietnam. The goal is to optimize the protein extraction process using the alkaline extraction-acid precipitation method, surveying influencing factors (raw material/solvent ratio, pH, temperature, time) and supporting methods (ultrasound, amylase, and cellulase enzymes), while comprehensively evaluating the functional properties of the product. This is the first study on protein from Vietnamese macadamia residue, combining a comparison of modern extraction methods and a multi-dimensional evaluation of functional characteristics (water absorption, oil absorption, gelation, foaming, emulsification, and solubility). The achieved product is a protein isolate powder with a content of 94.91 ± 2.21%, exceeding the standard (≥90%), with a recovery efficiency of 52.70-62.11%. The product can replace soy protein in many food applications, contributing to increasing the value of the macadamia production chain, creating value-added products from byproducts, while minimizing environmental impacts and fostering the sustainable development of the Vietnamese macadamia industry.

The HUIT student group honored with the Third Prize in the field of Food Technology.

Consolation Prizes:

1. Food Technology: Project "Rapid identification of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus oryzae using Artificial Intelligence in the food industry" by students Nguyen Tien Dat, Tran Gia Quyen, Le Ngoc Nhu, Mai Lam Thuy Linh, and Trinh Hoang Anh; Mentors: Dr. Phan Thị Kim Lien and Ms. Nguyen Thị Ngoc Thuy – Faculty of Food Technology.

2. Food Technology: Project "Research on obtaining protein powder from Gac seeds (Momordica cochinchinensis spreng) and evaluating its application potential in food" by students Tran Minh Anh, Le Nguyen Thao Uyen, Vo Tran Duong Khang, Doan Thi My Duyen, and Huynh Van Tu; Mentors: Dr. Nguyen Van Anh and Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Hoai – Faculty of Food Technology.

3. Food Technology: Project "Research on the production process of fermented dried apples combined with wine fermentation from Ninh Thuan wind apples" by student Nguyen Thach Linh (Faculty of Food Technology) and Vo Le Thanh Truc, Nguyen Hong Thu Thao, Nguyen Ngoc Minh Thu (Faculty of Tourism and Culinary Arts); Mentor: Dr. Pham Van Thinh – Faculty of Tourism and Culinary Arts.

4. Chemistry: Project "Research on the synthesis of silver nanoparticles in Chrysanthemum morifolium extract and evaluation of antibacterial and antifungal capabilities" by students Pham Ngoc Bao Tram, Nguyen Quoc Tuan, and Huynh Phuoc Thong; Mentors: Dr. Le Thị Hong Thuy and Dr. Nguyen Thị Luong – Faculty of Chemical Engineering.

Student groups winning Consolation Prizes in the fields of Food Technology and Chemistry.

The projects from the 06 HUIT student groups were evaluated as urgent and highly applicable, holding great significance in scientific, economic, and socio-economic aspects. The awards achieved in this competition will motivate students to actively participate in scientific research alongside their classroom studies, contributing to the development of the student research movement across the University and turning ideas into experimental results and real-life applications.

Additionally, the Organizing Committee awarded the "Most Voted My Science Story Video Clip" prize to the project "Research on the production process of fermented dried apples combined with wine fermentation from Ninh Thuan wind apples." Furthermore, the project "Research on the synthesis of silver nanoparticles in Chrysanthemum morifolium extract" was successfully transferred to Vinh Phat Co., Ltd.

Students from the Faculty of Chemical Engineering transferring their research project to Vinh Phat Co., Ltd.

The delegation of HUIT lecturers and students at the Closing and Award Ceremony of the 27th Euréka Student Scientific Research Awards 2025.

The Euréka Student Scientific Research Award is a prestigious and noble annual award for students nationwide, aimed at encouraging creative thinking, proactive spirit, and the ability to apply knowledge to practice. These achievements not only recognize the students' efforts but also serve as a testament to the strength and academic excellence of the HUIT brand. Congratulations to the students and mentors who achieved high honors at this year's awards.