From Dutch Waterways to the Mekong Delta:
Zone College students’ journey for sustainable aquaculture
A two-week international visit of Zone College Students to Fresh Studio in Can Tho
The future of our global food systems rests on the passion and ingenuity of the next generation.
At Empower Youth4Food, we seek out these stories—the moments where youthful energy converges with real-world challenges to forge a more sustainable path forward. Today, we share one such story, a journey that spans continents, from the Netherlands to the heart of Vietnam’s aquaculture sector in Can Tho.
Meet Zone College’s students
Enter David Addink, Thom van Dalen, and Ryan van Ginkel. As students of Sportfishing and Water Management at Zone College in the Netherlands, they traveled to Vietnam to exchange the classroom for a two-week immersive experience. Their destination was Fresh Studio - our impact partner, where they would work alongside local industry experts to deepen their understanding of sustainable practices in one of the world's most vital industries.
The journey was a profound personal and professional discovery, and their reflections capture its transformative power. In their own words:
"We are extremely happy that we got to live this experience. Going through Fresh Studio in Vietnam for 2 weeks was an opportunity we couldn't pass up. Guided by our coach Stef Claessens, we helped with pangasius fish farming using RAS and saw a lot of the Vietnamese culture. We see adding recirculation systems for pangasius larvae nurturing as a practical solution.”
Building a Foundation for Global Impact
This hands-on experience wasn't an isolated event. The students' visit was a direct outcome of a much larger initiative they were contributing to: the DeltaVax project. As a groundbreaking initiative, its mission is not only to revolutionize the aquaculture sector in the Mekong Delta but also to specifically enhance education and youth involvement within it.
This entire framework is made possible by the Netherlands' Impact Clusters subsidy scheme. This program has a clear and powerful objective: to facilitate private sector development in developing countries in a way that ensures inclusive, sustainable economic growth and decent work for all.
It works by creating a consortium—a 'cluster' where knowledge, technology, and expertise from Dutch and international companies, research institutes, and NGOs are brought together.
The DeltaVax cluster is a perfect example of this in action, uniting esteemed partners like Fresh Studio, PHARMAQ, Can Tho University, De Heus, Alpha Aqua, and Kytos to create a powerful ecosystem for knowledgeable change.
Fresh Studio x Zone College
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Fresh Studio x Zone College *
A story of what’s possible!
So, what does it mean to build a career in food and agriculture today?
The experience of our students suggests it’s about being proactive, globally-minded, and willing to put your skills to the test where they matter most. This wasn't just a trip; it was an active contribution. Their story is a kind reminder to every young professional: your perspective is needed, your skills are valuable, and the greatest opportunities for growth lie just beyond the edge of your comfort zone.
It proves that by investing in the next generation and fostering international collaboration, we can cultivate tangible solutions for a more resilient and responsible food future.
A huge thank you to our impact partner, Fresh Studio whose collaboration and expertise brought this invaluable learning opportunity to life.