Students from FPT University, Ho Chi Minh City branch, are carrying out the project “Bringing pangolins back home” in collaboration with Save Vietnam’s Wildlife (SVW).
In just the first week, the project has attracted thousands of interests and interactions, spreading a positive message about environmental protection.
Described humorously as “Cool and caring about the environment,” the team includes Cao Minh Chi (team leader), Nguyen Minh Tuan, Truong Ngoc Huy Giang, and Ngo Pham Phuong Thao, all studying Multimedia Communication.
Choosing to pursue the “Bringing pangolins back home” project, Cao Minh Chí shared that it stems from their love for the environment, wildlife, and the social responsibility of young people. “The goal of the project is to raise awareness among students about the negative impacts of pangolin hunting, trading, and wildlife trafficking in Vietnam and globally. Additionally, the project aims to fundraise for SVW,” Minh Chí explained.
To achieve these goals, the students from FPT University, Ho Chi Minh City branch, are using social media as a channel to enhance awareness, alongside organizing community activities aimed at young people. They have received cooperation and support from Save Vietnam’s Wildlife (SVW), which provides information, images, and related documents about wildlife conservation activities and the illegal wildlife trade. The project activities are also communicated through SVW’s community channels.
After the initial week of implementation, the project will go through three phases over the course of several months. “At the conclusion of the project, we will conduct online surveys, interviews, and analyze social media data to evaluate the achieved results compared to pre-project survey data,” Minh Chi added.
University is a conducive environment for scientific research
To carry out this project, the team applied knowledge and skills gained from courses such as Brand Management, Research Methods in Communication, Multimedia Production Project… They also received support and guidance from professors at FPT University.
“We applied a lot of knowledge and skills such as data analysis, identifying target audiences and their interests, building and implementing communication plans…” Minh Chí said. Additionally, skills acquired from organizing events and public relations management during their studies also supported the team in project execution. “These skills helped us allocate resources and effectively carry out activities. Many creative and moving communication contents attracted a lot of public attention,” Chí added.
Another advantage for the team was having members with experience in scientific research. Cao Minh Chí had previously participated and presented scientific reports at “The 3rd Southeast Asian Conference on Education – Singapore (SEACE 2023)” with the research team from FPT University in February 2023.
However, despite the advantages, as a community awareness-raising communication project on environmental protection, the team encountered challenges, including financial and manpower constraints. Addressing these challenges also provided the team with valuable knowledge and experience.
Based on his experiences in scientific research and community projects, Minh Chí believes, “FPT University encourages students to participate in community projects, providing opportunities for us to combine learning with practical experience and research. The diverse experiences at the university also give us confidence to conduct research, execute projects, and spread positive values to the community,” Chí emphasized.
The project team leader further shared plans to sustain “Bringing pangolins back home” in the long term, developing activities targeting youth and considering developing an online application to facilitate more people to participate in conservation efforts. “We hope the project will become a movement spreading positive spirit within the community,” Chi concluded enthusiastically.
According to Yeah1