Building a Sustainable Future: Transformative Education and Entrepreneurship

Welcome back for Season 2 of "Thriving in the Age of Disruption," Asia's premier podcast dedicated to empowering you to navigate and  thrive in the ever-changing landscape of today's dynamic world. Your host, Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra, is absolutely thrilled to embark on yet another enriching journey with you.

In this episode, we have the privilege of delving into the transformative power of education, entrepreneurship and resilience, guided by Dr. Ramesh and none other than the esteemed Associate Professor Hoang Thi Bich Thuy, an innovative educator in the field of electrochemical engineering at the Hanoi University of Science and Technology, and a mentor for start-ups and social impact businesses.

Join us as we uncover a trove of invaluable insights and experiences, unveiling the secrets to cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset, conquering crises with unwavering resilience, and uplifting women in leadership roles across diverse industries.

Prof. Thuy's journey is a beacon of inspiration for anyone seeking to carve a meaningful path amidst disruption. Tune in as we explore the fascinating nexus between academia, entrepreneurship and personal growth, and learn how to forge ahead with purpose, passion, and an unshakable commitment to sustainable success.

Top 5 Takeaways from this Podcast:

1. Unleashing the Entrepreneurial Mindset: Dr. Ramesh and Prof. Thuy explores the nexus of academia, innovation and entrepreneurship, emphasising the importance of cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset. They highlight how researchers, academics and entrepreneurs all share a passion for problem-solving, and encourages young graduates to develop resourcefulness, risk-taking abilities and a focus on creating value for others.
2. Resilience in Crisis: The discussion delves into the concept of crisis-ready mindset. Dr. Ramesh and Prof. Thuy discuss the value of being prepared to navigate setbacks and failures, highlighting the need for proactive decision-making to prevent situations from spiralling out of control, and also emphasising the significance of gratitude and adopting an adaptable attitude to maintain inner peace.
3. Empowering Women in Leadership: Prof. Thuy's work with women-led businesses is a notable highlight. She addresses the unique challenges women entrepreneurs face, such as balancing leadership roles with familial responsibilities. Through mentorship and coaching, she helps these women build strong teams and effective communication, facilitating their growth and success.
4. Sustainable Impact: The concept of sustainability extends beyond environmental concerns. Prof. Thuy underscores the importance of building people's capabilities for long-term sustainability. Her commitment to education and empowerment resonates, as she discusses her efforts to bring quality education to children in Vietnam's mountainous regions, creating a positive societal impact.
5. Spiritual Growth: The conversation takes an introspective turn, exploring spirituality and personal growth. Prof. Thuy reveals her journey toward tranquillity through practices like gratitude meditation. She emphasises the significance of nurturing one's spirit, achieving a sense of balance and living authentically, offering a poignant perspective on leading a meaningful life.

Host: Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra, Author, Podcast Host, Founder of Talent Leadership Crucible & Founder of Impact Velocity

Guest Speaker: Associate Professor Hoang Thi Bich Thuy, Hanoi University of Science & Technology (Vietnam)

Transcript

To learn more about the entrepreneurial mindset with Dr. Ramesh, get your copy of The Big Jump into Entrepreneurship 2.0 on Amazon.com or www.Dr-Ramesh.com.

If you're interested in building crisis resilience, Dr. Ramesh will be launching her new book on the crisis ready mindset - Make sure you follow Dr. Ramesh on LinkedIn so that you’ll get her new book alert!

Host: Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra, Author, Podcast Host, Founder of Talent Leadership Crucible & Founder of Impact Velocity

Guest Speaker: Associate Professor Hoang Thi Bich Thuy, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Vietnam

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Ho Lai Yun  00:00

Welcome back to an exciting season of Asia's leading podcast “Thriving in the Age of Disruption” with Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra. We hope you're ready for a new season of growth and empowerment because Dr. Ramesh and her amazing network of guest speakers are thrilled to embark on this journey with you once again. Join us as we explore in array of compelling topics, from unleashing an entrepreneurial mindset, to navigating crises with resilience, celebrating the strength of family businesses, empowering women in leadership roles and sustainability.  

You will have the privilege of tapping into Dr. Ramesh's vast expertise as she generously shares her business and life lessons with you. Through a very extensive network of influential entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, academics and inspiring women throughout Asia, you'll get invaluable insights in the shared personal stories of these Changemakers from across industries. Imagine gaining the essential skills, mindset and freedom to pursue your passions, whether it's building your own business, leading a family enterprise or making waves in the corporate world, this podcast truly is your gateway to achieving those aspirations. 

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra is an accomplished entrepreneur, author and executive coach. She has successfully founded and managed multiple businesses in the Asia Pacific region. Her journey has earned her recognition as one of Asia's most influential women, and now, she's here to share her wisdom with you.

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to be part of a transformative movement and we’re happy you’ve joined us in this new podcast season, to hear from Dr. Ramesh and her guest speaker Associate Professor Hoang Thi Bich Thuy who has more than 25 years of teaching and research experience in electrochemical engineering at the Hanoi University of Science and Technology. She has been working on innovative education and transformative entrepreneurship with the aim of supporting the achievement of sustainable development goals in Vietnam, in addition to being a mentor and coach for start-ups and social impact businesses.

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra 02:10

Dr. Thuy, I would like to start off by welcoming you to the Thriving in the Age of Disruption podcast series. We are excited to have you here, especially to hear about your journey as an academic who is also working with aspiring entrepreneurs who are your students, as well as those who are in impact projects.

Prof. Hoang Thi Bich Thuy 02:31

Thank you, Dr. Ramesh. I am Associate Professor Hoang Thi Bich Thuy. I have more than 25 years’ of teaching and doing research in the field of chemical engineering at Hanoi University of Science and Technology. My specialised field is electrochemistry and corrosion protection. My main job is training the engineers in our field, and other about seven years as the manager of a group, and of our department. I expanded our research network, industrial connection and project funding. I expand my career to provide the student with more skills so they can have better career after graduation. I'm a mentor and coach, and I'm in a transformation journey. With my position now, I can contribute more value to the student and to the university. I will be an entrepreneur after I retire in some years. Now, I just contribute more on technical issues to the university.

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra 03:34

That's really interesting, in terms of what you have done with the university, because I personally feel that researchers, academics and entrepreneurs share the same passion towards solving problems. As a researcher, you look at the hypothesis, and as an entrepreneur, we're trying to solve a problem, where there is a need or a want. And the only difference perhaps is that entrepreneurs take the risk to start a business. Researchers also take the risk because they have to publish paper and it has to be peer-reviewed and accepted. I want to have a conversation about entrepreneurial mindset. And I define that as someone who is being resourceful. That means they can define a problem correctly and they can then go to solve it. They can take risks and be with uncertainty. And finally, they are also people who understand how to create value, not for themselves, but for everyone else. Share a little bit about how you see that happening in academia and research, and in the work that you do.

Prof. Hoang Thi Bich Thuy  

For the academic staff, we rather do research and teaching for the students. But recently, we have to help students to have a better life, to have a sustainable life after graduation from the university. And that's the question from me, it comes from our students’ need. They are very smart guys and after graduation, sometimes they cope with problem about communication. Working together with the company and with a program of the government about the entrepreneurial program project that I do for the students, I get more material, more knowledge. I think my journey have changed from the pure technical into an entrepreneurial mindset.

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra  

So the need or the problem was “How to future-ready your graduating students after they leave the university”. And as you participated in providing the government-sponsored entrepreneurship program, you started to explore entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial mindset. Can you share about that experience?

Prof. Hoang Thi Bich Thuy  

I work with social impact business as a coach and some startup, like women-led enterprise. To become a coach, it is not easy for me at first. When I'm a lecturer, just the telling students about knowledge. And to become a coach, that means I have to change my mindset and to exploit the potential from the founder so that they can be stronger and find a good policy for the enterprise. And I am really happy to see the transformation, not only the founder, but the enterprise, the SME, the startup. Also my student and industrial company, when I worked with them, it helped my communication, change my mindset and also my life. 

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra 

I was really very excited to hear that you work with social impact businesses, and most of them are women-led. What do you find is their common challenge? 

Prof. Hoang Thi Bich Thuy 06:46

For me, it come from my personal experience also, because for Vietnamese, we respect family and we must spend time for family, for assemble the children. Cannot spend the whole time on my job. So it was very hard time for me. And for the women-led company, it’s much more harder. Especially when they are young, they have to cope with how to lead their staff. Not only herself, how to work with her staff smoothly. And so, my job is I help them with teamwork, how to make their company more stable, and make them better team to work together in the first stage of the company.

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra  

That's really important what you said, because there is an old saying, “If you want to go far, you have to go together”. So, if they want to build a successful business, then they have to engage their teams and work together. When you are supporting them to create the foundations for good teamwork and communication, it must make a big difference to their business. What are the typical businesses that these women start? In what kind of industry?

Prof. Hoang Thi Bich Thuy  

The small business, agricultural products, mental health education. One thing I see that the advantage for the women leadership is we have good sensitivity, you can empathise with people. But sometimes, it’s disadvantage also. Because you see, we care so much. I think when a woman leader can control how to keep balance, that is real good for their business. 

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra 08:29

And who is a role model for you in entrepreneurship?

Prof. Hoang Thi Bich Thuy  

Role model? To be frank, I really love your book, because you describe the journey in a very simple way, easy to understand. And that's what I always want to do, for my lecture, for my life. I do support for lifelong learning. The children, when they can play during learning, they learn by themselves. And they fail, it's fine, because it's fun. The startup program is a class I make with Coventry University, and we got funding from British Council. So, thanks for that. So now I changed my life. 

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra  

That's right, it's important to keep learning but also to bring playfulness to our learning, because we don't need to be so serious about it. Especially in a practical aspect of entrepreneurship, we have to be open to looking at failure as an opportunity to get feedback on what we didn't do right, and not to give up just because we failed.

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra 09:37

Another important mindset which I think we all can develop is called the crisis-ready mindset. I define crisis as something that we experience when we meet a setback or a failure. And at that moment, we get stuck. And we don't know what to do. The point in a crisis is that we've got to do something because if we don't, then the situation will make a decision for us. So, what I wanted to ask you was, “How do you deal with your own crisis in life? And what advice will you give on that?

Prof. Hoang Thi Bich Thuy  

Yeah, actually for the crisis, when I was young, I didn't know how to cope with that. So, sometimes, it was terrible situation for me. We didn't learn something about that at the school. For Vietnamese, when we were young, we just do what the adults told we have to do. Sometimes we don't want to do but you have to. But now, since I went on the new journey, I adapt myself. And now I think the most important is I try my best and the result will come. It has really helped me in my life. And you see, now I have peace. And I see everything is in good condition and I grateful to everything. 

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra 10:56

So, you have peace of mind, and you're grateful. And is there a practice that you have that can also support you when you have a crisis? 

Prof. Hoang Thi Bich Thuy  

Yeah, actually I think when I feel grateful to everything around I had, it makes me calm so much. Every morning, I got meditation, but it's the grateful meditation. In the morning, just wake up and I don't have to like rush to do something in hurry.

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra  

So, you spend about 15 minutes every morning meditating on gratitude. And it allows you to have that experience throughout the whole day and be calm.

Prof. Hoang Thi Bich Thuy 

And also, since working on the education project, I also learn about adopt and adapt. I accept every difference from the student, people around and then I adapt myself. So it's like being responsible, 100% of myself. I think it helps so much and I have more tranquility in my life.

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra 

How many children do you have and what do they do? 

Prof. Hoang Thi Bich Thuy  

I have two children. The boy, he graduated from the university and now he works for a company. And the second one, she's studying in Germany about something related to biochemistry,

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra 12:21

When you look at your daughter, she's a young woman, and if you had to advise her about how to be effective with leadership, what would be your advice? Or even to your young son? Because they are now going to enter the workforce? 

Prof. Hoang Thi Bich Thuy  

Yes, actually, I'm really proud of my children. But what I found is that they now live independently, they care about family, about me, my husband, my parents, and they give a hand to their friends. If I can advise parents, is that it’s really important - Be a friend of your children. Thanks to my daughter, she was in secondary school, and it was a time I learn a lot. And now, I and her, we are close friends. When she comes back, she brings something I love, or when she stays at home, she makes a cake. Just small thing. But it makes me happy. 

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra  

That's really great advice to parents about how you can be friends with your children, so that you can create this connection. Even as they keep growing and they don't need us as parents, but they will still be around and have that close relationship.

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra 13:38

How do you define spirituality? And where are you in your spiritual journey? 

Prof. Hoang Thi Bich Thuy  

For me, in the past, I have a very strict life, and I want to do the good job, be a good mother, my children have a good grade. And my husband have good job. And then when the goal is not achieved, I was unhappy, disappointed, and I was angry and tired. But then now I have to care about my soul, and have some time for me. I sometimes have a cup of tea with cake and even I busy, I can have a relaxed time to take care of my spirit too.

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra  

You can define spirituality in many ways. And what you're saying is, taking care of your spirit, whether it is in enjoying a cup of tea with cake, just the quiet time that you have when you meditate early in the morning. Because otherwise, all you're doing is rushing here, rushing there, wanting this, wanting that. And then when you don't get it, you're getting upset. And what's the point? So, what had you switch and think about spirituality as taking care of your spirit?

Prof. Hoang Thi Bich Thuy 

About three years ago, that’s the first time I heard the grateful meditation, it's about ourself. At first, I should like to call myself and say, “You’re right, you do a great job!” And grateful with myself first, and then my relatives, my family, something like that. At first, it’s very strange to do that. And after about a month, then I can understand it. And now it's like my routine. Every day I read and learn a lot about is and I think the goal of our life is that we have a better life. We have a happy life, not like just money or business, because at the end, I just have myself. 

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra 15:34

Do you think it's possible for us to live a simple life?

Prof. Hoang Thi Bich Thuy 

Yes, life for me now is we live in the way we want. We don’t care much what people say. To build my inner capability is good. We have a simple life and the simple life makes me happy. That’s enough. 

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra 

That's nice. A simple life is living in the way we want and not the way others expect us to. Describe thriving. What are the three words you would use?

Prof. Hoang Thi Bich Thuy 

For thriving, first I think bring value to people. For example, for my student, value is sometimes some advice. And the second one - People love you more than they hate you. 

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra  

Yes, 

Prof. Hoang Thi Bich Thuy  

Yeah. And so, the first one is, happy with what you do. For me, thriving, I think that’s very simple like that. 

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra  

Oh nice. So thriving is bringing value to people, people might love you more than they hate you, and be happy with what you do. Excellent.

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra 16:36

Everyone is talking about sustainability these days. Some people talk about it in connection to the climate crisis. In our work, we talk about sustainability as “the ongoing thriving of a living system”. What is your view about sustainability?

Prof. Hoang Thi Bich Thuy 

For me, sustainability, I will love more to focus on people capability. To do education, we can build the capability for students, or young people, so that they can become strong. Another aspect is that they should care about the lives of people around us. For me, that is sustainability. 

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra  

What you're pointing to is that as we build our capabilities, we also have to understand that we are interconnected. 

And that what we do has an impact on other people. As we understand that, then we will also build the right capabilities. Thank you for sharing all this with us. 

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra 17:38

I want to now ask you a few quick questions. Tell me the first answer that comes to your mind. What's your favorite book? 

Prof. Hoang Thi Bich Thuy  

My favorite book? In this stage, I love “Rich Dad. Poor Dad”. 

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra  

Oh, nice. Robert Kiyosaki.

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra  

And what's your favorite travel destination?

Prof. Hoang Thi Bich Thuy  

My favorite travel destination - European country, especially Poland. 

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra  

Wow, that's interesting. Why? 

Prof. Hoang Thi Bich Thuy 

I spent three months in the Netherlands long time ago. But then I found the people and I love people in Poland. Their hospitality and their lives, so peaceful. 

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra 

Thats right. And if you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be? 

Prof. Hoang Thi Bich Thuy  

Anyone? 

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra  

Yes. 

Prof. Hoang Thi Bich Thuy 

If I can have dinner with anyone, Simon Sinek. I really love his story. I learned a lot from him. I even listened to his YouTube so much. 

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra  

That’s great. And what's your favorite song? 

Prof. Hoang Thi Bich Thuy 

My favorite song? I have so many. One song I have a good impression is “Que Sera Sera. Whatever Will Be, Will Be”.

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra  

And if you can have any superpower, what will it be? 

Prof. Hoang Thi Bich Thuy 

Superpower?

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra  

Yes. 

Prof. Hoang Thi Bich Thuy  

I can have a superpower, I want to bring the very good school to the children in mountainous Vietnam. 

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra  

Wow. So, you would like to bring more schools to the ethnic children in the mountainous area in Vietnam? 

Prof. Hoang Thi Bich Thuy  

Yes, we have some charity trips to the mountainous area. For the small children, when they go to school, sometimes only five years, six years old, but they had to go about six or seven kilometers to school, and up and down. And at school, they don't equipment. Yes, nothing to play, boring learning. 

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra  

Not playful learning. 

Prof. Hoang Thi Bich Thuy  

No, 

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra 

Yeah, I get it. And the last thing is, “What's the best advice you've ever received?”

Prof. Hoang Thi Bich Thuy  

The best advice actually is not coming from someone, but it's from our educational project, like I told you, the way to live, it is adopt and adapt. I carried it in my mind and now the way for me to live - How to accept people, and then adapt myself. 

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra  

Very good.

Prof. Hoang Thi Bich Thuy 19:54

Today, I have good news, that I bring my team, my students on the scientific competition, and they win first prize. So, I was so happy today. But the happiest thing is that you'll see in one student that he used to be like, not a good student. At first when he came to me and my lab and he said that, “I couldn't do the research” or “Just give me some assessment”. But then I talked with him and explained to him that if he joined to the research team, he can upskill himself. Actually, today he  make me and all the others surprised, because he got the first prize. A very big step and it made me happy because I see people change, from this position to the better version. 

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra  20:41

It must be very rewarding, working with your students and watching them grow and make that big leap. In this case, where he’s won the first prize.

Prof. Hoang Thi Bich Thuy  

Actually, you'll see all the students and my staff, they often treat me like their mother-in-law, very hot tempered and strict lecture. For the assessment or for lecturing, when doing duty, they are really serious about it. But outside, we can be friends and care for each other. 

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra  

Excellent. 

Prof. Hoang Thi Bich Thuy  

Like mother-in-law to the mother, 

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra  

Mother-in-law to mother to friend. Very good then. Thank you very much. I've enjoyed our conversation together. 

Prof. Hoang Thi Bich Thuy  

Thank you, Dr. Ramesh. I hope through these people learn more about the woman in the academic environment in Vietnam and we hope that all the women will have better and happy life so that we can make family and society happier. 

Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra

Very good. Thank you for that.

Ho Lai Yun  21:40

Thank you, Dr. Ramesh and Associate Professor Thuy. We’re excited that you’re on this journey with us, that promises inspiration, empowerment and growth. Beyond your individual growth, this podcast is also your guide to making a meaningful impact at a collective level, creating value not just for yourself, but for your family, business, community and the broader world.