From an engineering perspective, we are often well-versed in blueprints, optimization spreadsheets, rigid figures, and ironclad logic. Yet, have you ever paused to ask yourself: what legacy are we leaving for the future? What can we do to ensure a better life for the next generation? Or more specifically, what must we do to mitigate the very impacts we impose on our own environment?
In the coure Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at the School of Industrial Management, post-graduate students engage in a specialized module: “Green Building and CSR.” Guided by Mr. Do Huu Nhat Quang (Co-founder of GreenViet).
PRACTICING CSR & ESG – A Mandate in Today’s Business Environment
Today, if a business chooses not to “go Green” in its operations, the world will eventually reject them. ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) is no longer a distant concept or a mere recommendation; it has become a mandatory criterion. For those in technical management, understanding ESG means learning how to run a business through transparency and sustainability, rather than merely chasing short-term profits.
GREEN BUILDING
Many people think of CSR as simply doing charity work. However, practicing CSR can manifest through tangible and clear elements, such as constructing a building or a factory according to Green Building standards. To provide a precise understanding, Mr. Quang raised several pivotal questions that help students gain clarity and apply these principles in their professional work:
- What is a Green Building? A Green Building is defined by 5 fundamental criteria (according to LEED): (1) Water Efficiency, (2) Energy & Atmosphere, (3) Indoor Environmental Quality, (4) Sustainable Sites, and (5) Materials & Resources.
- What is the link between Green Building and CSR? It is rooted in the 3P Principle that sustainable companies pursue: People – Profit – Planet (often reflected in the balance of human and environmental welfare alongside economic gain).
- What are the benefits of Green Building in CSR practice?
- Beyond the common theories of sustainable development, CSR is a highly effective communication tool. Implementing CSR doesn’t just improve the quality of life for the community; it significantly enhances the brand value of the enterprise.
- A certified Green Building is how a business proactively cares for the health of its employees every single day.
- It is how we reduce the burden on our natural resources.
- Business ethics, in its truest form, lies in the conscious choice of materials and the optimization of energy for the project.
Through Mr. Quang’s mentorship, students realize that CSR for an engineer or a project manager is embedded in every technical practice—leveraging natural sunlight, wind, and ventilation… to build and operate the very structures they design with a sense of responsibility.
LEARNING FROM EXPERTS
Modules led by industry lecturers are invaluable because they move beyond theory! Mr. Do Huu Nhat Quang brings real-life stories from projects across Vietnam—showcasing both successful milestones and the tough lessons learned when implementing sustainability. He emphasizes that when an Engineering Mindset meets Management Insight and Integrity, the value created is not just a durable structure, but long-term trust and prosperity for the entire community.
At the School of Industrial Management (SIM), sessions with industry lecturers do more than just provide a foundation for professional practice; they help students bridge the gap between theory and the most vivid realities of the industry.
A Brief about Mr. Do Huu Nhat Quang
- Background: An alumnus of Bach Khoa University (Civil Engineering). He is the Co-founder of GreenViet, a leading green building consulting company.
- Experience: Many years of expertise in the construction industry, green building consultancy, and sustainable construction solutions.
- Academic Contribution: A Visiting lecturer and guest speaker at universities, including: HCMUT (Bach Khoa), Western Sydney University (Australia), Pennsylvania State University (USA), Monash Business School (Australia), and more.
