Co-creating real-world solutions through NYP's Overseas Innovation and Sustainability Programme
At Southeast Asia’s largest tech and startup hub in Bangkok, 18 NYP students from five schools joined Thai peers to co-create sustainable solutions, championing NYP’s commitment to innovation in Education & Research.
How might we help vulnerable communities stay safe, healthy, and financially resilient in the face of climate change’s unpredictable challenges?
At True Digital Park, Southeast Asia’s largest startup and innovation ecosystem, NYP students and their peers from Thailand’s Panyapiwat Institute of Management International College (PIM College) worked together in seven interdisciplinary, cross-cultural teams to answer this question.
In a short span of two weeks, these budding innovators completed a skill-building innovation bootcamp by NYP, ThinkX Global, and PIM College. Participants were exposed to innovation sprints, empathy-driven design, startup frameworks, sustainable business model canvassing, and rapid prototyping using AI — all while completing their mission to co-create innovative, sustainable solutions for vulnerable communities.
Through sharing sessions, hands-on workshops and guidance by top industry leaders from ThinkX Global, MQDC Urban Planning, and New Energy Nexus, our students were armed with the tools to innovate and execute, and transformed theoretical concepts into practical skills.
Field visits to the Nong Khaem Solid Waste Disposal Centre and True Digital Park’s innovation ecosystem deepened our students' perspectives on how environmental and urban challenges are tackled globally.
The teams developed a range of inventive solutions, from a solar-powered canopy for street vendors (Solair Shade) to AI-driven fertiliser systems (Nutrisoil) and wearable AI tech for elderly care (Wision Smart Glasses).
Outstanding projects were recognised by a panel of judges, motivating teams to advance their prototypes further.
Project winner Lam Cheng Kel felt that this was an eye-opening journey that pushed him out of his comfort zone and learnt the importance of cultural awareness and adaptability:
“Working in cross-cultural teams taught me the importance of adaptability and cultural awareness. It’s a unique opportunity to grow both personally and professionally, while gaining insights into regional innovation trends."
This exchange is part of NYP’s Overseas Innovation & Sustainability Programme (OISP), which has been running since 2019. Through OISP, participants gain real-world insights, develop practical skills, and build the mindset and confidence to innovate with purpose. These experiential trips help students develop critical life skills and strengthen their ability to create user-centric solutions through problem-solving, global collaboration, and sustainability-driven thinking.
This experience delivered meaningful learning outcomes: 72% of participants reported greater interest in entrepreneurship. They also gained confidence in their communication, collaboration, and adaptability. All students attested that they developed practical innovation and problem-solving skills through working across cultures and disciplines.
For now, our sustainability and innovative sprint is not yet over for our budding innovators. Teams are encouraged to apply for funding and to test their solutions, join sustainability-related competitions, or gain mentorship in entrepreneurship.
Says Sheila Song, programme lead and Innovation & Entrepreneurship Specialist: “Programmes like OISP don’t just teach innovation. They open minds, connect hearts, and give our learners the confidence to tackle complex problems with creativity, empathy, and a global perspective.”
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