Glocal STEAM is an interdisciplinary educational initiative that connects global thinking with local action to address social, environmental, and sustainable development challenges. The project harnesses the power of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) to encourage students and communities to explore, analyze, and propose practical solutions to local and global issues.
From August 20 to 26, 2025, the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City (IUH) and the Tokyo University of Technology (TUT, Japan) officially launched the Glocal STEAM Project. The program featured the participation of Prof. Dr. Hara Kenji, Chairperson of the TUT International Council, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trịnh Ngọc Nam – Head of the Office of Science Management and International Affairs at IUH; seven professors and PhDs; 25 international students; and nearly 30 IUH lecturers and students.
STEAM Experiences at High Schools
On August 20, the delegation visited the High School for the Gifted – Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, offering over 200 students an exciting STEAM learning experience. On August 26, the project continued at Chau Thanh High School (Bà Rịa), drawing more than 400 student participants. Here, students explored hands-on experiments at STEAM activity stations, such as:
- Thermochromism: Creating color-changing reactions using heat.
- Scented Candle Making: Crafting Colorful, Aromatic Candles.
- Light-Controlled Robots: Operating electromechanical devices through light sensors.
- Hydrogen Fuel Cells: Generating electricity from hydrogen.
- Hydropower Models: Understanding how hydropower systems work.
- Yukata Dressing: Trying on traditional Japanese attire.
- Japanese Tea Ceremony: Experiencing the art of matcha preparation and tasting
These activities encouraged “learning through experience”, sparking curiosity, creativity, and a passion for science while helping students connect academic knowledge to real-world applications.
Cultural Exchange and Broadened Perspectives
Beyond the STEAM stations, the project also provided a vibrant space for cultural exchange. Participants tried on traditional Japanese Yukata costumes, practiced the tea ceremony (Matcha), and shared the unique cultural values of both nations.
During the working sessions in Đà Lạt, the delegation explored the coffee production process and local culture at Sonpacamara Coffee Farm, conducted scientific exchanges at the Dalat Institute of Life Sciences, and met with Mr. Nguyễn Lâm Viên – CEO of Vinamit, a pioneering enterprise in high-tech agriculture. These experiences helped expand participants’ horizons and inspired future strategic directions for the project.
The delegation also visited and collaborated with the Tay Nguyen Scientific Research Institute, and toured the Phu My 3 Specialized Industrial Park, hosted by Otsuka Nutraceutical Vietnam Co., Ltd
The Glocal STEAM Project not only promotes the spirit of international academic exchange but also reaffirms IUH’s commitment to connecting global knowledge with local realities. Every journey, every STEAM station, and every cultural interaction provided tangible value:
- High school students were inspired to love learning and explore science.
- University students developed creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
- Educators gained new insights to innovate teaching methods and expand research cooperation in the future.
