Chrissy Fransisca (Ichi)

At Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, more than 750 participants, including hundreds of students from the High School for the Gifted, gathered to reflect on Southeast Asia’s future. The scale of the institution speaks for itself. Of its 110,000 students, half are enrolled in STEM disciplines, signaling Vietnam’s sustained commitment to building technical capacity. Vietnam’s PISA performance places it above the global average, with only Singapore sharing that position in Southeast Asia. Vietnam’s competitive edge lies in its willingness to learn. This openness to observe, adapt, and absorb best practices has accelerated growth across both education and industry. STEM education anchors this strategy. Across Southeast Asia, expanding the pipeline of STEM and finance graduates remains critical to converting innovation into economic value and ensuring long-term sustainability. The urgency becomes clear when considering global trends. Southeast Asia represents 9% of the world’s population but could sequester up to 25% of annual global carbon emissions. Meanwhile, technology companies are rapidly expanding data centers, driving unprecedented demand for credible carbon offsets. The opportunity is straightforward: demand exists, and natural supply exists. What’s missing is the infrastructure, measurement systems, and financial frameworks needed to connect them. Building this capacity requires exactly what the region is cultivating – STEM expertise, financial sophistication, and institutional readiness. Vietnam demonstrates how openness and investment can reinforce each other. For the rest of Southeast Asia, the more pressing question lies in its willingness to open up education systems: to learn from the best, adapt proven models, and prepare talent at the scale and sophistication that emerging global demand now requires.