Social Entrepreneurship for Economic Development

    Intensive Programme Abroad: SEED

    Key data

    ECTS points
    5 ECTS
    Duration
    July 9 to July 19, 2025
    Teaching language
    EN
    Place
    In Vietnam – Depends on travel restriction, module can be organised online.

    The registration deadline has expired. Applications for next year will open soon.

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    The Social Entrepreneurship for Economic Development project (SEED) is a cross-cultural programme utilizing social entrepreneurship as means towards economic progress. It provides structured opportunities for students all over the world to converge interact and conduct on-site research as basis for development of real-time business plans. The programme seeks to provide off-campus cross-cultural experiences that will enable participants to advance in the application of research-based strategies, theories and principles. Further, it also seeks to promote transformative education through intercultural exposures.

    Impressions SEED

    Programme

    This programme is open to Swiss and international students from all faculties as well as university employees.
    The number of participants from FHNW is limited to 20.  

    After completing this programme, students will be able to:

    • understand what entrepreneurs do and examine how free-enterprise economies work and how entrepreneurs fit into them
    • recognize and evaluate business opportunities based on the analysis of local conditions with their own individual skills
    • identify how profit works as a signal to the entrepreneur
    • determine how to work cross-culturally and enhance the entrepreneurial mindset
    • reflect on personal experience in cross-cultural leadership development and learning in a real-life context
    • apply innovative thinking, technological knowledge and skills in a real environment beyond the classroom

    The provisional schedule* looks as follows:

    • Day 1 – July 09: Arrival
    • Day 2 – July 10: Social Entrepreneurship workshop
    • Day 3 – July 11: Business insights
    • Day 4 – July 12: Value proposition
    • Day 5 – July 13: Culture insights
    • Day 6 – July 14: Business model development
    • Day 7 – July 15: Focus group discussion
    • Day 8 – July 16: Benchmark study and analysis
    • Day 9 – July 17: Business model finalisation
    • Day 10 – July 18: Final presentation
    • Day 11 – July 19: Individual departure

    *The schedule might be subject to changes.

    Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, is Vietnam’s economic and financial center. Accounting for one-third of Vietnam’s GDP, this dynamic city of over 10 million inhabitants is on widely seen as one of the fastest growing markets for technology and manufacturing in the region and the top emerging property market in Asia-Pacific.

    Organisational details

    Students can submit their application until March 20, by using the registration button. Please note that your application is binding.

    The SEED programme is accredited with 5 ECTS.

    For FHNW School of Business students, the credits earned will belong to the Focus Module (Intensive Programme Abroad). Students from other schools are advised to check with the responsible head of programme if and how this module will be accredited at the specific degree programme.

    There will be no written exams. Students will be graded by group presentations, group work, and an individual briefing paper. The teaching and learning methods used are workshops, plenary discussions, site visit, presentations and team coaching.

    At the end of the projects, participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance. On successful completion of the SEED programme, participants will receive an official Transcript of Records featuring the ECTS credits and grade achieved for the Autumn Semester.

    Flights
    Participants book (and pay) flights individually.
    Arrival date: July 9
    Departure date: July 19

    Accommodation
    All FHNW participants stay at the same accommodation, organised and offered by the host.

    FHNW is only responsible for the quality of the programme. It does not act as a travel agency. The liability for all aspects of the travel agreements lies within the responsibility of each participant individually.

    Visas
    FHNW is only responsible for the quality of the programme. It does not act as a travel agency. The liability for all aspects of the travel agreements lies within the responsibility of each participant individually.

    Insurance
    Participants are advised to contact the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in Switzerland or in their respective country and enquire about whether entry permits and visas are required. The University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland does not cover visa costs or any cost involved in an unsuccessful application.

    700 CHF
    (incl. Registration fee, SEED Seminar and Workshop throughout the programme, Programme Kit, Board and Lodging (most meals, shared room/home stay), Airport and Land Transfers (domestic transportation), Certificate, and Tokens.)

    *It does not include air ticket, visa fee, and insurance during the programme.

    Download

    Factsheet Social Entrepreneurship for Economic Development (PDF)

    FHNW Campus Olten

    FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland

    Von Roll-Strasse 10

    4600 Olten