In late 2009, some young passionate Vietnamese, many of whom met in Vietnam2020 (Association of Vietnamese Professionals in Singapore), started to visualize an idea of a platform (Yplatform) where any talented and passionate youth can find mutual voices and gain supports from fellow countrymen to materialize ideas that can create positive impacts on various aspects of Vietnam. In order to build up the network and resources for Yplatform, the team initiated a series of events including:
- Conferences to foster exchange of knowledge, ideas and contacts;
- Case competitions to put those ideas into test;
- And ultimately, sustainable projects brought together by like-minded individuals to realize the initial ideas.
With that in mind, Ysummit 2010 serves as a kick-start event for the above-mentioned series as well as a milestone that marks the existence of such an initiative. Essentially, the purpose of our existence is to connect, empower, and inspire young Vietnamese people to take the lead in the future waves of challenges, particularly those specific to the development of Vietnam. Leveraging on our core values of leadership activation, passion, diversity, innovation, and sustainability, we strive to build a powerful network, firstly for Vietnamese professionals and students in Singapore, and possibly around the world if circumstances favor us.
Nearly one year has passed since Ysummit 2010 where Vietnamese youth in Singapore gathered to share passions and be inspired by forerunners from diverse backgrounds. That one year has also come across with a score of potent events that have challenged our courage, patience and mentality. At this very moment, each of us well understands the urge to build up and utilize collective intelligence and expertise to bestow our homeland facing new challenges.
Against this backdrop, Ychallenge 2011 takes up the initiative and aims to create a playground for young talents in Singapore to apply their skills and knowledge to solve specific business problems faced by the business community in Vietnam on their journey to explore and conquer the global market. For example, participants may be asked to demonstrate their market research competency in gathering market intelligence then forming recommendations for a Vietnamese canned food company to penetrate into the Singapore supermarket system. The finale will, then, be the chance for finalist teams to showcase their excellent research and business proposals although initially prepared for specific companies but general lessons can be learnt and applicable to a wider business community in Vietnam.
Ychallenge 2011 will not be just another business case competition. In the long run, Ychallenge aspires to be a bridge between young talents and business communities in Vietnam in our joint effort to strengthen our country brand and business competitiveness in the global market. We youth have the passion to put the skills and knowledge trained from internationally recognized institutions into practice. Vietnamese businesses have the ambitions to grow and venture into new waters but do not possess sufficient information to act on. It is this gap that Ychallenge 2011 envision to fill and TOGETHER, we are about to lay the first brick of a model that will contribute something tangible to the well-being of our country.