Course “Integrated Modern Communications for Sustainable Marketing”: A New Model for Interdisciplinary Education on Climate Action and Sustainable Development
19 Aug, 2025
Within the framework of the project “Empowering Change: A Comprehensive Approach to Climate Action, Sustainable Development, and Behavior Change for Female Scholars in Ho Chi Minh City,” the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), in collaboration with London South Bank University (United Kingdom) and the Southern Institute of Water Resources Research, successfully organized the course “Integrated Modern Communications for Sustainable Marketing.” The course closing session, held on August 3, 2025, marked the success and broad dissemination of the project’s message. The project is funded by the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology in coordination with the British Council.
Course “Integrated Modern Communications for Sustainable Marketing”
The course was organized to equip female scholars and professionals within and beyond the education sector with the essential knowledge and skills to amplify women’s roles and voices in collaborative responses to climate change, promote the development of sustainable enterprises, and enhance the effectiveness of modern communication strategies. Delivered over 8 weeks in a Hybrid format (combining in-person and online), the course provided a solid theoretical foundation, hands-on tools tied to real-world practice, and expanded opportunities to build international networks and participate in highly applied interdisciplinary projects. A distinctive feature of the course was the integration of the Live Brief model – an advanced educational approach that directly partners with businesses so that learners tackle real-world challenges during the learning process. This model not only helps learners sharpen skills and understand market needs and challenges, but also generates solutions with immediate practical value for businesses. It is a flexible and creative approach capable of narrowing the gap between academic knowledge and real-world requirements, thereby contributing to the enhancement of human resource quality. This method is widely used and highly effective in the United Kingdom and should be more broadly adopted in Vietnam to foster an open, dynamic education system closely connected with business practice and international integration.
During the course, learners received direct guidance and training from leading experts from the United Kingdom and Vietnam, including Dr. Luong Ngan (Emily), Dr. Tran Mai Khanh (Mika), along with an experienced team of lecturers and scientists from the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City – Dr. Le Thi Hong Minh – and from the Southern Institute of Water Resources Research, Dr. Doan Ha.
Course Closing Event:
Live presentation session
At the course closing event, female learners had the opportunity to present directly to a business on a specific topic concerning integrated marketing communication strategies for Nature Queen – a sustainable cosmetics brand from Sao Thai Duong Joint Stock Company. Under the sound direction and leadership of female CEO Nguyen Thi Huong Lien, Nature Queen was selected as a representative “Live Brief” thanks to its successful exports to demanding markets such as the UK and the US, together with a product portfolio made from natural ingredients and developed on a scientific foundation. Learners acquired in-depth knowledge while expanding interdisciplinary collaboration networks, laying the groundwork for future career opportunities and joint project connections.
Learners presenting integrated marketing communication strategy ideas for Nature Queen at the course closing session
Exhibition “Women and Climate Change”
Coinciding with the course closing event was the launch of the exhibition “Women and Climate Change,” on display from August 3 to August 8, 2025, on the 2nd floor, Building B1, UEH Campus B. The exhibition was curated by Dr. Tran Mai Khanh (Mika) with co-curator Ms. Nguyen Lien. It also showcased the outcomes and creative learning efforts of more than 30 learners throughout the training program and the project journey. Visiting the exhibition, viewers discovered a new perspective on connecting female scholars across the sciences, social sciences, and business sectors to take action for sustainable development – elevating women’s leadership while harmoniously combining scientific research and creative communications grounded in real-world contexts.
Curator Dr. Tran Mai Khanh (LSBU) introduced the exhibition
The course closing event concluded successfully, creating a clear impact by increasing learners’ confidence in applying sustainable communication strategies to real-world contexts. The interdisciplinary, practice-based training approach proved highly effective in directly linking academic knowledge with business needs, delivering tangible value to both learners and participating partners.
Learners were awarded course completion certificates by the faculty team
Exhibition “Empowering Change”: Continuing to Spread the Message of Empowerment and Sustainable Development for Women
Continuing the journey to amplify the message of women’s roles in sustainable development and climate action, the “Empowering Change” exhibition has been displayed at the main hall of UEH Campus A from August 13, 2025, and is open to the public.
Not only a venue to showcase learners’ study and research achievements, the “Empowering Change” exhibition – under the coordination of the project lead in Vietnam and with support from UEH – is an open space for the community to learn about the project, the course content, and the spirit of sustainability.
The exhibition contributes to demonstrating UEH’s commitment to bringing scientific knowledge, gender equality, and climate change mitigation solutions closer to society – where every individual becomes an “ambassador,” carrying the shared mission of joining hands to build a better future generation. At the same time, it helps increase presence and impact within the community, contributing to the goal of spreading the project’s positive values.
Exhibition space at UEH Campus A.
Project Team
From left to right: Dr. Luong Ngan (Emily), LSBU – UK Project Lead; Dr. Le Thi Hong Minh, UEH – Vietnam Project Lead; Dr. Mai Khanh Tran (Mika), LSBU – Co‑Investigator; Dr. Doan Ha, SIWRR – Researcher; Ms. Nguyen Lien, UEH – Admin and Research Support.
For more information about the Project, see HERE.
Pillars: Training, Community Engagement
Project: UEH Connecting
News, photos: Empowering Change Project, Department of Communications and Partnerships
