Exploring Sustainable Materials at the Final Seminar of the ‘Who are Inspirers?’ Preliminary Round of the UEH Brand Merchandise Design Competition

04 Nov, 2024

On the morning of October 25, 2024, SEMINAR 05: DECODING SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS, part of the UEH Brand Merchandise Design Competition, was held at Room B1.205, Campus B. The event provided an opportunity for contestants to gain valuable insights into wood materials from an international speaker representing the competition's sponsor, Canadian Wood.

The Seminar & Field Trip series, a key component of the "Who are Inspirers?" Preliminary Round, has officially culminated in its final activity with SEMINAR 05: DECODING SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS. Kicking off on October 5, 2024, the series has accompanied the competing teams, equipping them with essential knowledge and skills for the challenges ahead. Through these activities, contestants have had the chance to immerse themselves in the UEH spirit and experience real-world production models at partner enterprises, helping them to better understand the competition's requirements and envision a clear direction for the next round.

SEMINAR 05, held on October 25, 2024, featured a presentation by Mr. Peter Bradfield, a speaker from Canadian Wood, the sponsor of the UEH Brand Merchandise Design Competition. Canadian Wood is part of Forestry Innovation Investment (FII), a government agency responsible for maintaining and expanding markets for British Columbia's (B.C.), Canada, wood products. With an office in Binh Duong, Canadian Wood is a supplier of high-quality, eco-friendly, and responsibly sourced wood from sustainably managed forests.

Attending the seminar were representatives from Canadian Wood, including Mr. Pham Hoang Loc – Head of Business Development, and Mr. Nguyen Vuong Kim Bao – Marketing Management Assistant.

From the competition's Organizing Committee, attendees included Ms. Dao Thi Minh Huyen, M.A. – Acting Head of the CTD Office; members of the ATH Executive Board and UEH Maker Space; along with nearly 50 contestants and interested students.

An overview of SEMINAR 05: DECODING SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS.

Mr. Peter Bradfield's presentation focused primarily on wood as a sustainable material in modern design trends. He began by discussing natural wood, highlighting the distinct characteristics of timber imported from British Columbia versus Vietnamese wood, and suggesting it as an eco-friendly material choice for the contestants. According to the Canadian Wood representatives, wood is an inherently sustainable material and an excellent alternative for producing interior design products and everyday household items.

A presentation on wood as a sustainable material by speaker Mr. Peter Bradfield and Canadian Wood.

Following the presentation, the speaker, Canadian Wood representatives, and attendees toured the UEH Maker Space—a creative hub for UEH students and the design and art-loving community. Mr. Peter Bradfield expressed his great interest in seeing such a creative arts complex within a university campus for the first time. The UEH Maker Space is designed with two main areas: an indoor space equipped with machinery, tools, and products for the creative process, and an outdoor area with woodworking benches and general-purpose tables to support a variety of student activities. This space will be available for the finalists to craft their competition entries.

The speaker, Canadian Wood representatives, and participants tour the UEH Maker Space.

With this event, the Seminar & Field Trip Series has successfully concluded, paving the way for teams to submit their ideas for the "Who are Inspirers?" Preliminary Round. The Organizing Committee looks forward to receiving high-quality and passionate submissions from the participating teams. For more information about the competition, please refer to the official Brochure. For any inquiries regarding the competition or the submission process, teams are encouraged to contact: makerspace@ueh.edu.vn .

Other images from SEMINAR 05: