A university committed to clean air and climate action
FPT University (FPTU) has long stood at the intersection of innovation, education, and sustainability in Vietnam (1). As part of the FPT Education Organization, FPTU spans five campuses across the country—from Hanoi to Can Tho—educating tens of thousands of students across disciplines. Now, FPTU is taking a bold new step to protect the air its students breathe.
In 2024, the university committed to integrating air quality monitoring into its Sustainable Development Strategy, installing IQAir AirVisual Outdoor monitors on their campuses throughout Vietnam.
Choosing a path forward
Poor air quality is a rising concern in many parts of Vietnam, particularly in rapidly growing urban areas. FPTU recognized the importance of not just understanding air pollution—but actively measuring and managing it.
FPTU discovered IQAir’s global air quality map and monitoring solutions and, impressed by the company’s transparency and global presence, partnered with its technical team to install air monitors across its campuses.
“We chose IQAir because they are trusted around the world,” said Truong Thi Anh Dao, Head of SDG office at FPT University at Ho Chi Minh City. “The AirVisual devices provide reliable, easy-to-understand data for students, staff, and the wider community.”
Building a nationwide monitoring network
In March 2025, FPTU launched its pilot station at the Ho Chi Minh City campus. After confirming system performance and establishing a dedicated project team, the university quickly expanded the program. By June, three additional IQAir AirVisual Outdoor monitors were installed across campuses in Can Tho, Qui Nhon, and Da Nang.
Despite logistical challenges—such as equipment transport between cities—the rollout was smooth, thanks to close support from IQAir’s team and a proactive university task force.
FPTU’s four-station network now provides real-time air quality data across central and southern Vietnam, with Hanoi’s northern campus slated to join soon.
FPT University’s air quality monitoring network is publicly accessible via their IQAir Contributor Profile, where each campus station shares real-time data and helps build a more transparent, informed picture of air quality across Vietnam.
Turning data into decisions
The real-time data generated by each monitor is displayed prominently on large digital screens in campus lobbies, enabling thousands of students and staff to stay informed at a glance. Over 2,400 people across the university’s stations now check AQI data daily.
Monitoring teams track patterns, flag anomalies, and coordinate with local environmental authorities when air quality drops. During high-pollution days, the data helps guide activity planning and safety precautions on campus.
“Our students are proud to be part of a school that takes clean air seriously.” –Truong Thi Anh Dao, Head of SDG office, FPT University at Ho Chi Minh City
“We were amazed at how a small sensor could provide so much insight,” said Dao. “Our students are proud to be part of a school that takes clean air seriously.”
Empowering students through clean air and sustainability
For FPTU, air monitoring isn’t just about protection—it’s about education and empowerment. Faculty are incorporating air quality data into classroom learning and research, while students are leading sustainability initiatives.
Tree planting campaigns, rooftop gardens, and electric vehicle advocacy are just some of the student-driven projects now taking root. The Ho Chi Minh campus saw a 30–35% reduction in student vehicle use following a carpool campaign in 2024. In Quy Nhon, over 1,200 trees were planted in a multi-layered tropical garden system—efforts that have measurably improved the campus air quality.
“We are thrilled to see so much student engagement,” said Dao.
From university to community: Growing the vision for Vietnam
FPTU is already looking ahead. The university plans to expand its monitoring network to the FSchool system, which serves K–12 students across 13 locations in Vietnam. Starting with the Hanoi campus, younger students will soon gain access to real-time air quality data—and learn how to interpret and act on it.
“We want our students to grow up understanding not just why air quality matters, but how they can be part of the solution,” Dao said.
FPTU also aims to leverage its vast communication reach—10 million followers across websites and fan pages—to educate the broader public and encourage environmental action.
“When we understand the air we breathe, we’re better equipped to change it.”
Conclusion
Through its partnership with IQAir, FPT University is helping shape a new standard for health, safety, and sustainability in Vietnamese education. FPTU’s message to other institutions is simple. As Dao put it: “By contributing even one data point to the map, you help tell a more complete story of your city’s air quality. And when we understand the air we breathe, we’re better equipped to change it.”
FPT University’s leadership in air quality monitoring reflects a powerful truth: clean air is a right, not a luxury. By combining science, education, and action, FPTU is not only protecting its students—it’s empowering a new generation to lead the charge for cleaner air.
