CORAL REBOOT 2025: A Reflection on Innovation, Collaboration, and Ocean Stewardship

  • Date: August 2025
  • Location: Nha Trang, Vietnam
  • Organized by: Youth Explorer Society (YESCo) in collaboration with UEH – University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City

The Coral Reboot Project 2025 officially concluded in August after five transformative weeks of learning, creativity, and field engagement in Nha Trang — one of Vietnam’s most diverse marine environments.

This interdisciplinary initiative brought together 20 students from different academic backgrounds to explore coral reef conservation and sustainable tourism through the Design Thinking framework. Throughout the program, participants conducted field research, designed creative prototypes, and tested innovative ideas that bridge education, science, and community action.

💡 From Ideas to Impact

The project unfolded in four key phases:

  1. Discovery & Problem Definition – Students investigated coral bleaching, reef ecology, and local community perceptions.

  2. Ideation – Teams brainstormed innovative communication tools and eco-tourism models.

  3. Prototyping – Participants created sample products such as short films, mobile apps, posters, and coral restoration models.

  4. Testing & Presentation – Final projects were presented to academic mentors and community representatives, receiving valuable feedback and recognition.

The five-week journey resulted in 12 creative projects highlighting how technology, design, and storytelling can raise awareness about marine conservation and sustainable tourism.

🌍 Inspiring a Sustainable Future

Beyond academic outcomes, Coral Reboot fostered a spirit of eco-innovation and cross-cultural collaboration.
Students not only deepened their understanding of marine ecosystems but also learned how creativity and science can work hand-in-hand to protect the ocean.

As one participant shared:

“This project helped me see the ocean differently — not just as a destination, but as a living system we are all responsible for.”

🤝 Looking Ahead

Following the success of Coral Reboot 2025, YESCo and UEH plan to expand this initiative into an annual academic field program, inviting universities and organizations worldwide to collaborate on marine research, sustainable tourism, and social impact education.

Together, we continue our mission to empower young changemakers and reboot our relationship with the ocean.

*Note:

  • The program can be customized to your preferences.
  • UEH will cover teaching and sports activity expenses (excluding teabreak and supporting personnel fees) incurred at UEH, upon official confirmation from the partner university and subsequent approval by UEH.