Faculty Of Finance And Banking holds an academic seminar: evaluating sustainability and circularity from financial and environmental perspectives

On the morning of December 29, 2025, the Faculty of Finance and Banking successfully organized an academic seminar titled “Evaluating Sustainability and Circularity: Financial and Environmental Aspects.”

The seminar was honored to feature a presentation by Professor Abhijit Majumdar from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, a leading expert with 195 published research papers and nearly 10,000 citations.

The seminar was attended by the Faculty’s leadership board, lecturers, and students currently engaged in Student Scientific Research projects and Undergraduate Theses who have a strong interest in the field of sustainable finance.

During the academic session, Professor Abhijit Majumdar clarified the relationship between the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Circular Economy. He emphasized that the circular economy represents an alternative development model that aims to decouple economic growth from dependence on primary (virgin) resources.

The Professor presented insightful comparative data between the textile industries of India and Vietnam. While Vietnam ranks third globally in terms of garment export value (USD 33.9 billion in 2024), contributing approximately 5–6% to GDP, the industry also faces significant environmental challenges, accounting for nearly 20% of global water pollution.

A key highlight of the session was the methodology for evaluating green investments using the Shadow Price model. Drawing on an empirical study of a zero-liquid-discharge wastewater treatment system in India, the Professor demonstrated that when assessed solely on conventional financial NPV, the project may appear unviable at low operating capacity. However, once environmental benefits are incorporated through shadow pricing, the combined economic–environmental value provides a more comprehensive and favorable perspective for investment decision-making.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Nguyễn Gia Đường expressed his sincere gratitude to Professor Majumdar for the valuable insights and multidimensional perspectives on decision-making management. He emphasized that the seminar provided an excellent opportunity for faculty members and, in particular, students undertaking Student Scientific Research projects and Undergraduate Theses to engage with modern research methodologies.

Mr. Nguyễn Gia Đường encouraged students to confidently apply concepts of Green Finance and the Circular Economy to their research topics, while also expressing his hope that faculty members would further develop joint research groups with the Professor, leading to high-quality international publications in the future.

The seminar concluded in a lively and engaging discussion atmosphere, opening up many new and timely research directions in the context of Vietnam’s pursuit of its Net Zero objectives.