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Who We Are
We are The English Club of Foreign Trade University, a community of individuals who share a profound passion for the language of English and the desire to harness its full potential - not as a mere tool for communication, but as a propeller for young thinkers to seize their chances in the environment of business and academic studies, to be at the center of social and economic concerns. In doing that, we look for a socio-economic resolution that would change the world and secure the path of your future career.
OUR VISION
To equip each and every person with the tools, knowledge, and motivation needed to actively contribute to the societal well-being, which is also each individual's well-being. To stimulate the use of English in the practical context of real-world issues and sharpen the essential professional skills of business case solving, data analysis and innovation. To spread vital messages of empathy between students and other vulnerable social groups, and of the necessity of raising voices, taking actions, and leading changes.
What We Offer
MASTERMIND - AN ENGLISH SOCIO-ECONOMIC INQUIRY CONTEST
On your Mastermind journey, we empower individuals to lead the progressive transition of society through comprehensive education and training.
A KALEIDOSCOPE OF KNOWLEDGE
For socially conscious minds to discover divergent aspects of social matters in the scope of business conduct through business case solving and data analysis and then look towards socio-economic solutions by the joint efforts of individuals and corporations
AN INCUBATOR OF SKILLS
For ambitious learners to nurture various skills enabling far-reaching initiatives and foster academic and vocational development in professional business surroundings.
A PLAYGROUND OF ENGLISH
For active users to advance self-expressing and opinion-exchanging through the full use of this language in multi-purpose contexts for different audiences, from debating to business pitching.
AND A NETWORK OF GREAT THINKERS
For them to connect with others of the same interests but rather diverse ideas and be influenced by insightful predecessors. Also an amplifier for inspiring thoughts to reach farther and further.
Round 1
Application Form
Students who are interested in and want to express opinions on social matters, specifically about ESG can submit their application for our contest by filling out our enrollment form.
Round 2
Viewpoint Development
& Expression
18/9 - 23/9
After passing Round 1, in Round 2 contestants are expected to showcase their English skills, deeper understanding of ESG and basic-level data analytical skills through an exhaustive online test. The accomanying speaking test in this round allows contestants to express personal thoughts on the signs of ESG problems from their perspective and express their willingness to take action in the community and resolve problems given by the contest.
Round 3
ESG
Project Ideation
24/9 - 14/10
The top 8 teams will solve an ESG case (Environmental - Social - Governance) to create brand recognition and sustainable development strategy for the business, using knowledge related to business, sustainability, and data analysis gained from the training sessions to express ideas through a presentation.
Round 4
ESG
Project Implementation
15/10 - 25/10
The top 4 finalist teams will continue working in their assigned pairs for our finale. During this stage, contestants will be equipped with vital knowledge from our experts to create an Implementation Plan based on preconceived ideas from Round 3, with an aim toward the business strategic realization of Environmental - Social - Governance goals.
23/8 - 17/9
Round 1: Application Form
(23/8 - 17/9)
You can apply for Mastermind either as an individual contestant or as a team. Our required team size for Mastermind 2025 would be between 3 - 4 contestants per team. In case of individual registration or incomplete teams (of 2 members), you are welcome to recruit your teammates on our Mastermind Community on Facebook. Otherwise, the Organizing Committee shall assist you in gathering your team with other contestants.
Each member of the team has to complete the registration form individually.
What to look forward to in this Round?
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Mastermind 2025: Kicstart Series
Mastermind 2025: Kickstart Series is an event within the scope of Mastermind 2025. With the theme of sustainable development guided by the ESG standards (Environmental - Social - Governance), this Kickstart Series aims to equip the young people that shall be our future contestants with fundamental knowledge of ESG and the practical application of ESG standards in assessing corporate operations today. Alongside this, participants will discover the vast career opportunities that ESG unlocks in the future, as it becomes a global trend for sustainable development across all fields.
Round 2: Viewpoint Development & Expression
(18/9 - 23/9)
The test you will be receiving in Round 2 is in two parts: the online test and the speaking test.
The online test shall be completed in a single take with a time constraint. The test is in multiple-choice questions which aims at examining the contestant's English skills and understanding on ESG issues based on reading sessions derived from sustainability reports. Basic business analytics skills of contestants shall also be assessed through exercises on business chart analysis and calculations.
The speaking test requires contestants to express their opinions on the socio-economic issue presented. The speaking session shall be recorded in the video format in which your speaking skills is verifiable.
The scores of Round 2 shall be calculated as your individual score and your team's average score.
What to look forward to in this Round?
What to look forward to in this Round?
Audience's Favorite
Upon your consent, your speaking session shall be posted on our Facebook fanpage Mastermind - English Social Inquiry Contest, which is open for audience voting. The result shall not have any effect on your score, but we do grant an award to the contestant with the most loved video.
Round 3: ESG Project Ideation
(24/9 - 14/10)
Your team shall start drafting your ESG Project based on the case provided by our companion enterprises, which including identifying the root cause of an ESG issue and developing socio-economic solutions to achieve sustainability goals.
What to look forward to in this Round?
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The Training Courses
Brief Day
Personal Coaching
Our exclusive training sessions, conducted with our professional sponsors aim at giving you a deep understanding and the ability to perform professional skills such as data analysis, buisness case solving and innovation, the skillset that you would need not only to succeed in Mastermind, but is also crucial to your personal development in the future business environment.
The opportunity of networking with our prestigious and resourceful experts and professional sponsors to give you a complete view on the nature and status of the industry, the application and prospect of ESG goals in the actual business settings
Our unique interactive activity between the contestants and our expertise sponsors, in which your team's proposal shall be thoroughly revised and consulted with detailed feedback from leading experts in the field. Their professional opinions shall be valuable for your further completion of the project and your understanding on socio-economic matters
Round 4: ESG Project Implementation
(15/10 - 25/10)
Continue to work on the ESG Project from Round 3, 4 finalist teams shall further develop their proposals, this time concerning the optimization of solutions, the allocation of resources and the evaluation of efficiency. The four proposals shall be presented on the Grand Finale, which shall decide the winners of Mastermind 2025.
What to look forward to in this Round?
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The Training Courses
Our exclusive training sessions for the finalists dive further into the implementation phase of a project, including the essential procedures of resources allocation and stakeholder management, and obviously - in order for our finalists to be fully prepared for the Finale - extensive sessions on business pitching and public speaking shall also be included.
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The Grand Finale
And finally, the absolute climax of Mastermind. After a long and arduous journey, our finalists shall enter the Grand Finale night - a night of self-reflection on their whole journey of growing with Mastermind, an opportunity to speak up your most passionate ideas, a moment to seize the chance and shine. The Grand Finale of Mastermind 2025 shall take us through three stages:
MasterQuiz
MasterDebate
MasterStage
A session of answering questions that covers every aspect of ESG
The presentation of each team's ESG projects, following by debate sessions against competitors and answering questions from the judging panel
After all of which, the winners, the first and second runner-ups of Mastermind 2025 shall be revealed.
Finally, the message from the finalists, the reasons why your journey with Mastermind begins and your vision in sustainability
What is ESG and why is it so important?
ESG stands for Environmental - Social - Governance. It is a framework for the measurement of a firm's commitment to sustainable and ethical business practices. The three main factors that ESG is concerned with, as pointed out in its name, include:
E (Environmental): How a business deals with the natural environment, and,
S (Social): How it handles the relationships with its employees, suppliers, customers and communities
G (Governance): How it operates with its managerial mechanisms
Among all of these factors, it is emphasized that a company should ensure fairness, transparency, acountability and ethical practices in its actions. The ultimate goal is "sustainability".
The consumers today have become more conscious about their consumption than ever. Not only that they care about how a product or service may satisfy their needs, they also have the need to be assured that that product or service was ethically produced by responsible enterprises, with practices concerning sustainable development. Transparency, fairness and business ethics became essential, these elements decide the public image of a company and hence, their ability to prosper. For this reason, ESG emerged as the complete, exhaustive framework to eveluate a company's sustainable development prospect. Companies are willing to heavily invest on their socially responsible appearance and thus, the posibility for a totally new field of career became visible for today's youngsters....
A new path is opening. Are you willing to seize your chance?
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Knowledge
A kaleidoscope for socially conscious minds to discover divergent aspects of social matters and then look towards sustainable solutions by joint efforts of individuals, corporations, and governments.
Skills
An incubator for ambitious learners to nurture various skills enabling far-reaching initiatives and foster academic and vocational development in professional business surroundings.
English
A playground for active English users to advance self-expressing and opinion-exchanging through the full use of English in multi-purpose contexts for different audiences, from debating to business pitching.
Networking
A network for great thinkers to connect with others of the same interests but rather diverse ideas and be influenced by insightful predecessors. Also an amplifier or your inspiring thoughts to reach farther and further.
Last Mastermind was a spectacular competition, with:
Talented participants from high schools and universities all over Ha Noi
+100
Accumulated prize of 700 million VND
~700
Four challenging rounds
04
And our endless
support
We acknowledge and thank our Partners and Sponsors who are
willing to support change leaders all around Vietnam
Gold Sponsor
Bronze Sponsor
In-kind Sponsor
Expertise Sponsors
Company Expertise
Media Sponsors
1. What is Mastermind?
Mastermind is an English Socio-economic Inquiry Contest, aimed at helping young participants gain deep insights into prominent social issues and developing socio-economic solutions based on the joint efforts of individuals and corporations. This is achieved through the provision of extensive education and training of business skills such as business case solving and data analysis and the use of English placed in practical settings of buisness and academic environment.
2. Who can participate?
The skillset required for the Mastermind winner is a combination of the proficiency in English, the deep understanding of social issues, the ability to perform certain professional skills such as business analytics and business pitching. However, Mastermind is open to any youth that possesses the passion for English, the willingness to learn through challenges, the desire to contribute to the progress of society while becoming mature in knowledge and skills, and most certainly, a little courage to do something completely new.
3. How do I form a team?
Our required team size for Mastermind this year is between 3 - 4 contestants per team. You can form your own team between a group of friends who share the same passion for English and concern for social issues. Otherwise, we are more than happy to assist you in finding your new teammates as we go through Round 1.
4. What are the fees to participate?
Mastermind contestants are free of all charges. It is the desire to learn that we are looking for in our participants
5. Can I participate as an individual if I don't have a team?
You can participate in Mastermind 2025 as an individual contestant or as an incomplete team of 2 members. The forming of teams shall take place in Round 2, in which you can find your own teammates on our Mastermind Community on Facebook. We shall also support you in this process to gather your team.
6. How many rounds does the competition consist of?
Mastermind consist of 4 rounds
Round 1 (23/8 - 13/9): Application.
Round 2 (18/9 - 23/9): Viewpoint Development & Expression.
Round 3 (24/9 - 14/10): ESG Project Ideation.
Round 4 (15/10 - 25/10): ESG Project Implementation.
7. Do I need an English certificate to participate in this contest?
Having a good command of English is an advantage, but it shall not be our mandatory requirement. One of the goals of Mastermind is to help participants improve their English skills and apply them in practical settings