Recap: Cardano University Meetup #1 — Mastering the Digital Mindset: How Gen Z Can Lead the Future
Cardano Vietnam x Hub Network x BIHub – UEFHCM
December 16, 2025 | University of Economics and Finance HCMC (UEF)
Event registration: https://luma.com/2d4j9skw
On the afternoon of December 16, 2025, Cardano University Meetup #1 took place at the 15th-floor auditorium of UEF (Ho Chi Minh City) in an energetic and highly interactive atmosphere.
The event was co-organized by Cardano Vietnam, Hub Network, and BIHub – UEF, bringing together students and young professionals interested in Blockchain, AI, and digital entrepreneurship.
The meetup aimed to help Gen Z better understand the rapidly changing job market, while equipping them with a digital-first mindset and practical perspectives to proactively learn, build, and shape their future careers in the technology era.
Key Highlights
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Event registration: https://luma.com/2d4j9skw
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Total registrations: 163 participants
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Actual attendance: 80+ attendees
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Audience: UEF students and young builders interested in Blockchain & AI
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Atmosphere: Open, dynamic, and discussion-driven
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Community value:
- Clarifying the intersection between Blockchain, AI, and entrepreneurship
- Helping students visualize emerging career paths
- Creating a bridge between students, industry experts, and the tech community
1. Opening & Welcome
The event began with a warm check-in and welcome session, followed by opening remarks from the organizing teams and university representatives.
From the outset, a key message was emphasized:
In a rapidly evolving job market, digital mindset and adaptability are essential for young people—not only to keep up, but to lead future trends.
2. Keynote 1 — How Blockchain Empowers Real-World Startups
Speaker: Mr. Sang Nguyen – Blockchain Lecturer & Innovation Expert, Cardano Vietnam
The first keynote focused on how Blockchain is enabling new startup models in the real world, beyond speculation and cryptocurrencies.
Key insights included:
- Blockchain as a trust infrastructure for new business models
- Why ecosystems like Cardano emphasize education, governance, and long-term sustainability
- Opportunities for young people to participate through both technical and non-technical roles
The session helped students view Blockchain through a practical and long-term value lens, rather than a short-term trend.
Audience Q&A
Q1: What is the difference between “learning blockchain to understand it” and “learning blockchain to build real products”?
A: The speaker emphasized that the distinction lies in problem-first thinking. Students should start with real-world problems, then assess whether blockchain meaningfully adds value—rather than forcing technology into every idea.
Q2: With many blockchain startups failing early, what advantages does Cardano offer for teams aiming for long-term growth?
A: Cardano’s research-driven approach, technical standards, and community governance help projects avoid short-term hype and instead build sustainable, compliant, and scalable solutions.
Q3: Where can students begin if they have no capital or team yet?
A: Students were encouraged to start with small on-chain roles—community participation, research, education, or content contributions—to build skills, networks, and ecosystem understanding before launching projects.
3. Keynote 2 — Building Smarter Startups for the AI-Native Era
Speaker: Mr. Pham Anh Vu – Founder, EZAI
The second keynote explored startup building in the AI-native era, where AI tools are becoming increasingly accessible.
Key discussion points included:
- How AI is reshaping work, entrepreneurship, and productivity
- Why young builders need to think beyond tools and focus on product thinking
- How AI, Blockchain, and digital products can be combined to create real value
The session reinforced that technology amplifies human capability, rather than replacing it.
Audience Q&A
Q1: As AI becomes widely available, how can student-built products avoid becoming “too similar”?
A: AI is only a tool. Differentiation comes from deep user understanding, context awareness, and execution strategy, not from the tools themselves.
Q2: What mindset should Gen Z adopt in an AI-native world?
A: The speaker stressed the importance of not becoming tool-dependent. Understanding how AI works and learning to ask the right questions are more valuable than simply using AI outputs.
Q3: Are there risks in relying too heavily on no-code or AI tools?
A: While no-code and AI tools enable fast experimentation, students still need to develop system thinking and product fundamentals to avoid hitting growth limitations later.
4. Panel Discussion — Career Path & Entrepreneurship in Blockchain & AI
The panel discussion was one of the most anticipated segments, focusing on career development and entrepreneurship in emerging technologies.
Topics included:
- Career pathways in Blockchain & AI
- Differences between full-time roles, freelancing, and startups
- Skills required to stay relevant in a fast-changing tech landscape
Student Q&A
Q1: How can students know whether they are better suited for technical or non-technical roles?
A: Panelists advised against labeling oneself too early. Trying multiple small roles through projects, communities, and internships helps clarify strengths and preferences.
Q2: Which skills will matter more than degrees in the next five years?
A: Continuous learning ability, critical thinking, communication skills, and cross-disciplinary collaboration were highlighted as essential.
Q3: Should students prioritize early stability or experimentation?
A: The panel agreed that student years are ideal for controlled experimentation, enabling more informed and confident career decisions later.
5. Quiz, Mini-Games & Networking
The event concluded with interactive quizzes, mini-games, and networking sessions, allowing participants to:
- Reinforce newly acquired knowledge
- Engage directly with speakers
- Expand their professional and community networks
6. Community Reflection
University Meetup #1 received highly positive feedback from attendees.
Students appreciated:
- Accessible yet insightful content
- Practical, experience-based discussions
- The opportunity for direct dialogue with industry practitioners
For many participants, the meetup marked a meaningful first step toward confidently exploring Blockchain, AI, and digital career paths.
7. Acknowledgements
The meetup concluded with strong engagement from students and speakers, setting a positive foundation for future University Meetups on Cardano.
We sincerely thank the Cardano Foundation, Project Catalyst, and the global Cardano community for their continued support.
To all participants — thank you for your curiosity and active participation. Your involvement marks an encouraging start for the next generation of Web3 and AI builders in Vietnam.
Stay Connected
- Cardano Vietnam Community (Telegram): https://t.me/CardanoVNCommunity
- Cardano Vietnam Twitter: https://x.com/VietnamCardano
Cardano Ambassadors in Vietnam:
– Ha Nguyen: https://x.com/Hahero7
– Mie Tran: https://x.com/mietran0407
See you at the next University Meetup!
On behalf of the organizing committee,
Ha Nguyen – Cardano Ambassador
Cardano Vietnam Community
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