15.2.4 – Educational programmes on ecosystems
In 2025, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) continued to organise educational activities and enhance knowledge of ecosystems, wildlife conservation, natural vegetation and endangered species. These activities took various forms, including knowledge competitions, extracurricular programmes, awareness campaigns, and free online educational materials and information for the public. Through these initiatives, UEH helped disseminate biodiversity conservation knowledge to students and learners both within and beyond the university, while encouraging local communities to take action.
1. Strategic Direction
In 2025, UEH sought to deliver ecosystem education that raised awareness of the relationships among humans, animals, plants and their natural habitats. Its programmes focused on the ecological roles of wild fauna and flora, the causes of biodiversity loss, human impacts, and restoration and conservation measures, including:
Education on wildlife and endangered species conservation: Raising awareness of the ecological role of animals, threats arising from wildlife hunting, trade and consumption, conservation laws, and responsible tourism practices.
Education on ecosystems, plants and natural habitats: Disseminating knowledge about wetlands, forests and the habitats of birds, animals and plants, while explaining the role of insects and vegetation in ecological balance.
Community education linking livelihoods and conservation: Engaging local communities in discussions on mangrove forests and connecting natural resource conservation knowledge with sustainable livelihood and nature-based tourism solutions.
Target audiences included UEH and non-UEH students, members of the public accessing freely available online educational materials, and local community groups participating in conservation-related exchanges.
2. Internal Commitments and Supporting Policies
In 2022, UEH established an environmental governance framework through its Green Campus Regulations under Decision No. 2059/QĐ-ĐHKT-CSVC, providing a basis for environmental awareness, responsibility and engagement in sustainable development activities among learners, staff, partners and the wider community.
Building on this foundation, in 2025 UEH continued to review, update and maintain its Green Campus Regulations, extending its approach from general environmental awareness to more focused education on ecosystem conservation, biodiversity and protection of endangered flora and fauna. In particular, UEH further specified principles for organising community-oriented ecosystem education activities, including:
Article 12, Clause 1 – Expanding free access to educational programmes and learning resources. UEH encourages the free provision and sharing of learning materials, reference resources, courses, seminars, training programmes, research findings and other knowledge resources for the community. It also supports training and capacity-building initiatives for local authorities, learners, public agencies and civil society organisations.
Article 12, Clause 4 – Specifying educational content on ecosystems and wildlife. UEH promotes education, research, knowledge transfer and community engagement aimed at conserving, restoring and sustainably developing natural ecosystems. These efforts also address biodiversity, the protection of rare animal and plant species, invasive alien species management, and the application of science and technology in environmental management. This provides a foundation for thematic education on wildlife, natural vegetation, forest ecosystems, wetlands and habitats.
Article 15, Clause 5 – Defining UEH’s direct responsibility to provide free education and learning resources to the community. This includes organising or co-organising educational programmes, training sessions, workshops and knowledge-transfer activities, and providing free information on environmental protection, biodiversity and sustainable development.
Article 15, Clauses 6 and 7 – Strengthening cooperation with local communities and relevant organisations. UEH promotes collaboration with government agencies, civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations, educational institutions, research institutes and local communities on ecosystem and biodiversity conservation programmes. Particular attention is given to freshwater and marine ecosystems, habitat restoration and biodiversity.
Article 15, Clauses 9 and 15 – Strengthening monitoring, evaluation and improvement of educational programmes. These provisions address the retention of supporting records, preparation of consolidated reports, and evaluation of outcomes, enabling UEH to progressively standardise the monitoring of results and reach of its ecosystem education programmes.
These provisions, as further specified in the updated Green Campus Regulations, demonstrate UEH’s continuing commitment to expanding environmental education beyond its internal community and providing knowledge and training to the wider region. These directions were reflected in the following programmes and events in 2025.
3. Evidence of Programmes and Events Implemented in 2025
| STT | Programme/
Project |
Format/
Classification |
Description | Public Source |
| 1 | Forest Envoys 2 – 2025 Wildlife Conservation Awareness Campaign | Free activity; educational campaign, community outreach, academic competition and local engagement | In March 2025, the Youth Union and Student Association of UEH’s School of Tourism organised Forest Envoys 2, focusing on responsible tourism and wildlife conservation. The programme combined education about protected species with tree planting and environmental clean-up activities at Ap 12 Park, Pham Van Hai Commune, Ho Chi Minh City, school-based awareness activities, and a wildlife conservation knowledge competition. It recorded 70 participating students, 80 competing teams, and engagement from more than 2,000 students.
The wildlife conservation awareness campaign generated more than 200,000 views, reached 60,000 people and attracted 7,000 interactions, promoting awareness of the goal of ending poaching and illegal wildlife trafficking. 
Final round of the academic competition on wildlife conservation law and the theme “Responsible Tourism Must Go Hand in Hand with Wildlife Conservation” 
Students decorated walls to spread wildlife conservation messages 
Students swept and collected litter at a local children’s playground |
UEH Green Campus Website, “2025 Wildlife Conservation Awareness Campaign – Forest Envoys 2, UEH School of Tourism”, 31 March 2025 |
| 2 | Green Monday Series – International Day for Biological Diversity, 22 May | Free activity; publicly accessible online education and information on flora, fauna and biodiversity | On 5 June 2025, the UEH Green Campus Project published educational and awareness-raising content marking the International Day for Biological Diversity (22 May). The article explained the ecological role of praying mantises in pest control, mentioning their inclusion in the Vietnam Red Data Book, and discussed plant adaptations using Socratea exorrhiza in the Amazon rainforest as an example. Through this content, readers gained an introduction to the International Day for Biological Diversity, the functions of animal and plant species within ecosystems, and the interdependence of species in their natural habitats.
UEH marked the International Day for Biological Diversity (22 May), promoting harmonious coexistence with nature and sustainable development
Sharing knowledge about praying mantises and Socratea exorrhiza in the Amazon rainforest |
UEH Green Campus Website, “[GREEN MONDAY SERIES] International Day for Biological Diversity, 22 May – When the Environment Needs to Be Heard”, 5 June 2025 |
| 3 | Green Monday Series – World Wetlands Day | Free activity; publicly accessible online education and awareness-raising on wetland ecosystems | On 6 January 2025, the UEH Green Campus Project published educational content on wetland ecosystems in connection with World Wetlands Day. The article introduced the Ramsar Convention (the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat) and explained the ecological functions of marshes, freshwater and brackish-water areas, and coastal wetlands. It helped readers understand the importance of wetlands for water resources, climate, biodiversity and natural habitats, while encouraging communities to protect and restore degraded ecosystems.
Sharing knowledge about World Wetlands Day and the Ramsar Convention 
Explaining the importance of wetlands, the 2025 action theme and the need to protect waterbird habitats |
UEH Green Campus Website, “[GREEN MONDAY SERIES] World Wetlands Day: Protecting Biodiversity for a Sustainable Future”, 6 January 2025 |
| 4 | Green Monday Series – Community Education on Wetland Restoration Initiatives | Free activity; publicly accessible online education on ecosystem conservation and restoration initiatives | On 3 March 2025, the UEH Green Campus Project published educational and awareness-raising content on wetland conservation and restoration initiatives. The article introduced three international conservation initiatives or networks: (1) Global Wetland Outlook (Ramsar); (2) the Mangrove Restoration Project associated with IUCN; and (3) the Living Lakes Network associated with the Global Nature Fund (GNF). It also presented measures for wetland protection in Vietnam and practical actions to reduce water pollution and plastic waste, encouraging students to protect the environment on campus. The information was freely accessible on the UEH Green Campus website, enabling learners and local communities to access ecosystem conservation knowledge.
UEH shared knowledge about wetland restoration initiatives around the world |
UEH Green Campus Website, “[GREEN MONDAY SERIES] Wetland Restoration Initiatives – Actions to Protect Vital Ecosystems, Balance the Environment and Respond to Climate Change”, 3 March 2025 |
| 5 | Green Monday Series – Educational Action Series on Forests, Water and Climate | Free activity; publicly accessible online environmental education on forests, water, climate and green technology | In March 2025, the UEH Green Campus Project shared knowledge on the roles of rivers, the relationships among forest ecosystems, climate and water resources, and the effects of the natural environment on human life, while also introducing green technologies. These activities explained the importance of natural ecosystem protection and encouraged shared community responsibility for forests, water and living environments.
UEH shared educational content encouraging action on forests, water and climate |
UEH Green Campus Website, “[GREEN MONDAY SERIES] March Activities at UEH: Promoting Environmental Awareness through Education on Forests, Water, Climate and Green Technology”, 10 March 2025 |
| 6 | “Whispers Before Silence” – Educational Exhibition on the Conservation of Rare Wildlife | Free activity; educational exhibition and biodiversity conservation awareness campaign | On 6 and 21 November 2025, TaxGroup (the Student Tax Research Group) and the Apple Club English Club jointly organised the “Whispers Before Silence” exhibition at UEH’s Nguyen Tri Phuong campus. Students explored information about animal species listed in the Vietnam Red Data Book and the IUCN Red List, including their habitats, conservation status and threats to survival. They also answered questions on wildlife conservation and wrote personal commitments. The activity raised awareness of wildlife protection and the need to avoid consuming wildlife-derived products.
Students learned about animal species included in the Vietnam Red Data Book and the IUCN Red List 
Students took part in an activity identifying animal calls 
Students wrote pledges to protect wildlife |
UEH Green Campus Website, “Whispers Before Silence Exhibition Booth – UEH Green Campus 2025 Activity Series”, 22 November 2025 |
| 7 | Women4Mangrove – Sharing Community Knowledge on Mangrove Conservation and Sustainable Livelihoods | Free activity; mangrove conservation seminar and field-based community consultation | On 10 December 2025, UEH worked with the People’s Committees of An Thanh and Cu Lao Dung Communes in Can Tho City to launch the Women4Mangrove project alongside a thematic seminar on mangrove conservation and sustainable livelihoods. The event brought together local authorities, experts and community representatives to discuss forest conservation and mangrove ecosystems, with an emphasis on women’s empowerment and sustainable educational agritourism in the Mekong Delta. The project aims to establish a women-led nursery and reforestation training centre, with a target of restoring five hectares of mangrove forest over its implementation period.
In 2025, the project strengthened its international networks and exchanged experience in Thailand (November 2025) and the Netherlands (December 2025), helping refine the model and inform possible future expansion. 
Delegates attended and contributed to the seminar discussions 
Delegates, partners and the Women4Mangrove project team at an international professional exchange forum |
UEH Portal and Can Tho Newspaper, December 2025 |
| 8 | HORIZON 2025 – Education on Marine and Island Ecosystem Conservation through Responsible Tourism | Free activity; academic competition, exhibition, infographics and natural environment awareness campaign | Held from 23 September to 14 November 2025, HORIZON 2025 attracted more than 1,000 UEH students through two competition tracks examining marine resource exploitation and sustainable coastal and island tourism models. On 1 October 2025, teams exhibited and presented community-based tourism models, eco-homestay concepts and ocean protection campaigns before a judging panel. The competition also included the creation of infographics, awareness-raising videos and ocean protection sticker sets. The activity encouraged students to independently explore ecosystems and biodiversity and increased their awareness of sustainable natural resource use.
Students presented research findings on sustainable coastal and island tourism models to the judging panel 
Infographics on resource exploitation and biodiversity conservation encouraged independent learning |
UEH Green Campus Website, “HORIZON Tourism Innovation Competition – UEH Green Campus 2025 Activity Series”, 15 November 2025 |
4. Conclusion
In 2025, UEH Green Campus implemented a range of ecosystem education activities, from regulations, campaigns and competitions to publicly available learning resources on biodiversity and wetlands. Eight publicly accessible, free-of-charge activities created opportunities for participation by communities both within and outside UEH, helping to promote biodiversity conservation awareness.
Compared with the previous year, UEH expanded its direct and publicly available education in 2025 on wildlife, natural vegetation, wetland ecosystems and mangroves. Forest Envoys 2 was particularly notable for combining educational content, an academic competition, awareness campaigns and community activities. Meanwhile, Green Monday Series articles provided ecosystem knowledge as open educational resources accessible free of charge to the public and to learners both within and beyond UEH.
Building on the Green Campus Regulations and its educational mission, UEH continued to contribute to indicator 15.2.4 – Educational Programmes on Ecosystems, with the aim of strengthening community knowledge and responsibility for protecting natural ecosystems.