Mangaluru:The School of Engineering at St Aloysius (Deemed to be University), Mangaluru, hosted two academic sessions by faculty from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Finance (UEF), Vietnam, under its The Leadership Lab Series– Global Connect initiative, providing engineering students with perspectives on sustainable banking and humanitarian logistics.

The sessions featured Dr Majo George, Dean, Faculty of Economics, UEF, who spoke on Sustainable Business Practices in Banking: India and Vietnam, and Dr Thi Thu Ha Do, Vice Dean, Faculty of Economics and Head of the Bachelor’s Programme in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, UEF, who addressed Humanitarian Logistics for a More Resilient World: Practices in Vietnam.

The sessions explored how sustainability, financial institutions, supply chains and disaster response intersect with contemporary global challenges. Dr George discussed the role of banks in financing green growth, managing climate risks and promoting financial inclusion, drawing comparisons between India and Vietnam. Dr Do examined the importance of resource mobilisation, coordination among stakeholders and adaptability in delivering humanitarian aid during disasters, with insights from Vietnam’s disaster-relief operations.

Second-year B.Tech students from Computer Science and Engineering and Information Science and Engineering attended Dr George’s session, while students from Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning and Electronics and Communication Engineering participated in Dr Do’s session.

The visit also included an interaction between the faculty and the Deans of various schools of the university, creating an opportunity to exchange perspectives and explore avenues for academic and research collaboration. The engagement forms part of the collaboration established between St Aloysius (Deemed to be University) and UEF, Vietnam, to strengthen international academic engagement.

Rev. Dr Praveen Martis SJ, Vice-Chancellor of St Aloysius (Deemed to be University), emphasised the importance of such engagements in broadening students’ horizons. He noted that opportunities to interact with international academics help students develop a global outlook, understand and appreciate different cultures, and explore possibilities for collaboration in research and academics.

The sessions were coordinated by Dr S Ruban, Dean, School of Engineering; Dr Geetha Nazareth, Associate Dean, School of Engineering; and Dr Glenson Toney, Assistant Dean, School of Engineering.

The Leadership Lab is an initiative of the School of Engineering that brings students closer to industry and academic leaders who have made significant contributions in their respective fields. Through platforms such as Global Connect, the initiative extends this engagement across borders, enabling students to gain diverse perspectives, appreciate different cultures, explore emerging professional practices and identify opportunities for collaboration in research and academics.