This morning, November 9, 2024, National Economics University (NEU) hosted the graduation and opening ceremonies for the joint International Bachelor’s Program in Accounting and Finance (BIFA) between Cardiff Metropolitan University (United Kingdom) and NEU.

A view of the ceremony

External guests attending the ceremonies included John Lee, Chief Executive Officer of TMC Singapore; Tran Minh Phuong, Chief Representative of TMC Singapore in Vietnam; Dang Thi Mai Trang, Chief Representative of ICAEW Vietnam; and Bui Cat Linh, Deputy Head of Training Consulting at Smart Train Hanoi.

Representing NEU were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chair of the University Council; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU; and Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huu Anh, Dean of the School of Accounting and Auditing. Also attending were representatives of the leadership of departments and socio-political organizations, faculty members teaching in the program, and, notably, new students of Cohort 11 and graduates of Cohort 7 of the International Bachelor’s Program in Accounting and Finance (BIFA), together with their families and friends.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU, delivers remarks.

On behalf of the University’s leadership, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU, welcomed the new students of the International Bachelor’s Program in Accounting and Finance (BIFA) to the shared home of NEU and Cardiff Metropolitan University (United Kingdom). He also congratulated the 219 graduates whose tireless efforts in learning and personal development had earned them their distinguished degrees today.

Addressing the graduates, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu noted that they had graduated after years of university study. Receiving their bachelor’s degrees today was a great joy and honor. Today marked a new chapter in their lives, but not the end of their learning. He hoped that, with the knowledge and skills acquired at university, they would continue to pursue learning and independent study every day and every hour to reach the bright future ahead. With their international bachelor’s degrees, this was the time to demonstrate their true capabilities and readiness to integrate into and compete in the international labor market.

The Associate Professor and Vice President also offered advice to the new students: “Becoming a student in an international program will bring many opportunities and challenges, allowing you to fully realize your potential and equip yourselves with the knowledge and skills needed to become global citizens. However, success never comes easily. I hope you will build on your abilities, explore your potential, nurture your qualities, and distinguish yourselves in your thinking and actions to achieve success and happiness.

The University’s faculty and staff always hope that your time in our shared home will be the best and most memorable years of your lives. Let us work together in learning, research, and personal development, and face difficulties together to prove ourselves and become dynamic, creative individuals ready for every challenge ahead,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu said.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dinh The Hung, Vice Dean of the School of Accounting and Auditing, announces the Decisions

Speaking online at the ceremonies, Prof. Rachael Langford, President of Cardiff Metropolitan University (United Kingdom), expressed pride in the students of Cohort 7 for their excellent work in completing their studies and becoming graduates. Prof. Rachael Langford was delighted to see the graduates grow in maturity and confidence and hoped they would apply the knowledge and skills they had acquired to their future work.

Representing the partner institution, Ramakanta Patra, Link Tutor, expressed his delight and congratulated the new students of Cohort 11 on passing the admissions process to join the International Bachelor’s Program in Accounting and Finance (BIFA). Ramakanta Patra extended his best wishes to the new students and hoped they would continue to develop their creativity and learning abilities to complete the program.

Dr. Truong Dinh Duc, Deputy Head of the Department of Political Affairs and Student Management, announces the commendation Decision

For the graduates, the past four years were a journey marked by their efforts to overcome numerous difficulties and challenges in their studies, meeting academic and skills development requirements in line with the standards of an international bachelor’s program. To recognize these efforts and honor students with notable achievements in their studies and activities, NEU and Cardiff Metropolitan University presented certificates of merit to 85 graduates for outstanding achievement throughout the program. At the ceremonies, representatives of ICAEW and Smart Train also awarded meaningful scholarships to graduates with outstanding academic achievements.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chair of the University Council, presents certificates of merit to the graduates.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU, presents certificates of merit to the graduates.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huu Anh, Dean of the School of Accounting and Auditing, presents certificates of merit to the graduates.

Representatives of unit leaders and partners present gifts and scholarships to new graduates and new students

Graduate Dang Viet Dung, the top graduate of BIFA Cohort 7, speaks on behalf of the graduates and presents flowers to express gratitude to the faculty.

The ceremonial handover of the program’s emblem from students of an earlier cohort to the new students of Cohort 11.

During this formal ceremony, representatives of the graduates of Cohort 7 handed over the traditional emblem of the International Bachelor’s Program in Accounting and Finance (BIFA) to representatives of the new students of Cohort 11. This is the traditional flag of the International Bachelor’s Program in Accounting and Finance (BIFA), embodying talented graduates with professional ethics, global citizenship skills, and international-level professional expertise. Under this flag, the new students are encouraged to keep striving, working hard, and giving their all in keeping with the proud traditions of NEU, Cardiff Metropolitan University, the BIFA International Bachelor’s Program, and the School of Accounting and Auditing.

To date, most of the program’s new graduates have reportedly secured employment at multinational companies, large enterprises, state agencies such as the State Audit Office of Vietnam, major banks such as Vietcombank, or Big Four accounting firms such as Deloitte Vietnam, KPMG Vietnam, EY Vietnam, and PwC Vietnam. Some graduates have continued their studies at the master’s level in countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States.

Many recent graduates said that the program’s greatest advantage was that it equipped learners with knowledge and skills through the combined teaching of NEU—one of Vietnam’s leading universities in economics and business—and the experience, curriculum, and internationally benchmarked knowledge offered by Cardiff Metropolitan University (United Kingdom), one of the United Kingdom’s leading universities.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chair of the University Council, presents degrees to the graduates.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU, presents degrees to the graduates.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huu Anh, Dean of the School of Accounting and Auditing, presents degrees to the new graduates

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dinh The Hung, Vice Dean of the School of Accounting and Auditing, presents degrees to the new graduates

Today is a special and deeply emotional day for the new graduates. After today, they will continue along their chosen paths, with the doors to the future open before them. It is hoped that they will embark on their lives equipped with knowledge and life experience and make substantial contributions to building the country. We also wish the new students success in developing their abilities, exploring their potential, nurturing their qualities, and acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to become global citizens.

Some photos from the ceremony:

Article and photos: Department of Communications

This is an automated translation. If you notice any errors, please contact the Department of Communications, National Economics University at phongtruyenthong@neu.edu.vn.