Amid the excitement of welcoming the new academic year, on the morning of September 22, 2025, the Institute of International Education held the opening ceremony for Cohort 21 of the IBD@NEU International Bachelor’s Program and welcomed new students in Cohort 67 of the BBAE@NEU Bachelor’s Program in Entrepreneurship & Business Development. The event not only marked the start of the new academic year but also launched a promising journey of learning, inspiring confidence, expectations, and aspirations for new achievements among the Institute’s lecturers and students.

A view of the ceremony

External guests attending the ceremony included Ivane Helias, International Admissions Advisor at the Center for Global Engagement, Boise State University (USA); Dr. Nguyen Viet Anh, Director of Andrews University Programs in Vietnam; and Tran Minh Phuong, Regional Director of TMC Academy.

Representing National Economics University (NEU) were Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Huy Thong, Dean of the Faculty of Marketing; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh, Dean of the Institute of International Education; leadership representatives from schools, departments, faculties, institutes, and centers; and faculty and staff teaching at the Institute of International Education.

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

Opening the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU, warmly welcomed 377 new students in Cohort 21 of the IBD International Bachelor’s Program and 102 new students in Cohort 67 of the BBAE Bachelor’s Program in Entrepreneurship & Business Development.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu commended the students’ efforts in excelling in the highly competitive admissions process to join prestigious international programs at NEU that are recognized for their high quality. These programs provide an academically rigorous learning environment where students can also realize their potential, demonstrate their resilience, and develop themselves.

The Vice President emphasized that 2025 marks 21 years of establishment and development for the Institute of International Education, affirming its standing in admissions, education, scientific research, teaching innovation, and the expansion of international cooperation. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu expressed his hopes: “Joining the shared home of National Economics University, and the Institute of International Education in particular, is a source of pride for you and your families. It also marks the beginning of your ambitions, a new horizon, and a new approach to learning—one of autonomy and self-determination. Thank you for placing your trust in the Institute of International Education, which will accompany you through the most beautiful years of your youth as you cultivate your character, develop your talents, and begin your careers”.

Ivane Helias, International Admissions Advisor at the Center for Global Engagement, Boise State University (USA), delivers remarks

At the ceremony, Ivane Helias, International Admissions Advisor at the Center for Global Engagement, Boise State University (USA), said she was honored to attend and thanked NEU and the Institute of International Education.

Ivane Helias emphasized that the partnership of more than 30 years between Boise State and NEU has been built on a shared vision, with numerous academic and cultural exchanges delivering tangible benefits.

The Boise State University representative also expressed gratitude to parents and students for placing their trust in the international academic program, describing it as an important first step toward building resilience, growing as individuals, and engaging globally. She affirmed that Boise State offers a dynamic, safe learning environment with abundant scholarship and development opportunities, and encouraged students to boldly seize opportunities to become global citizens in the future.

Leadership representatives from partner universities and NEU pose for a commemorative photo to celebrate their sustainable, effective, and close partnership over the past years

John Andre, a representative of the Institute of International Education’s lecturers, delivers remarks

Lecturer John Andre, who has been with the Institute of International Education for many years, also shared a message with the new students. He noted that university is not simply about earning a degree, but is also a journey of acquiring knowledge, skills, and experience. He affirmed that ISME would provide a dynamic international learning environment, but that success depends on each individual’s choices and efforts. Lecturer John Andre encouraged students to dare to take the difficult path—a path of learning, challenges, and breakthroughs—to build a worthy future for themselves, their families, and their communities.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh, Dean of the Institute of International Education, present Top Entrance Achiever Scholarships covering 25% of tuition fees for the first three academic years in Vietnam

Ivane Helias, International Admissions Advisor at the Center for Global Engagement, Boise State University (USA), and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Huy Thong, Dean of the Faculty of Marketing, present Top Entrance Achiever Scholarships covering 15% of tuition fees for the first three academic years in Vietnam

Over the Institute of International Education’s 22 years of development, its faculty, staff, and students have affirmed the standing and quality of the IBD@NEU International Bachelor’s Program, making it a leading choice for students with good and excellent academic records who aspire to thrive in a dynamic and challenging international learning environment.

The entrance examination is not only an assessment of entry-level abilities but also the first opportunity for new IBD Cohort 21 students to become familiar with the program’s teaching approach and educational objectives. To recognize outstanding individuals who both achieved exceptional results and demonstrated the qualities valued by the program, NEU awarded “Top Entrance Achiever,” “Potential,” and “Smart Choice” scholarships to the most exemplary students.

Dr. Nguyen Viet Anh, Director of Andrews University Programs in Vietnam, and Dr. Le Thi Huong Lan, in charge of the Cooperation and Development Division at the Institute of International Education, present the Future Global Entrepreneur scholarship

To attract students with strong academic abilities and business potential and educate a new generation of entrepreneurs with an innovative spirit and aspirations to take Vietnamese businesses to the international stage, NEU and Andrews University, USA, jointly awarded the “Future Global Entrepreneur” scholarship in the 2025 academic year to students in the Bachelor of Business Administration program majoring in International Business. Jointly awarded by NEU and Andrews University, the scholarship is based on entrance examination scores, extracurricular achievements, and candidates’ entrepreneurial potential as assessed through scholarship interviews.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh, Dean of the Institute of International Education, present the BBAE Top Entrance Achiever Scholarship

Now in its eighth year of admissions, the BBAE@NEU Bachelor’s Program in Entrepreneurship and Business Development warmly welcomed 102 new Cohort 67 students to the NEU student community. This demonstrates the reputation, quality, and international stature of NEU’s academic programs while opening promising new journeys for the new students.

To recognize and encourage a positive commitment to learning, the Institute of International Education presented an award to Vu Ngoc Mai, a new student in BBAE Cohort 67 who achieved outstanding entrance examination results.

Students Dang Quang Khoi, IBD I18, and Pham Thi Tra My, BBAE Cohort 65, share their thoughts

Each year, new students at the Institute of International Education enter their new learning environment to a warm welcome from its student community. In a spirit of solidarity, earlier cohorts support the new generation, helping them quickly settle in and carry forward the values the Institute of International Education has nurtured.

Representing students from earlier cohorts, Dang Quang Khoi (IBD Cohort 18) and Pham Thi Tra My (BBAE Cohort 65) shared a message with the new students: “ISME is not only a place to study but also a place that nurtures aspirations. The Institute always hopes that every student will not only excel in their field but also become a global citizen—confident, creative, and responsible toward the community. ISME will always be a source of support, a place where you can find knowledge, friendship, mutual support, and opportunities to prove yourselves”.

A representative of the new students delivers remarks

Representing the 479 new students present at the ceremony, Ngo Phuong Thao of IBD Cohort 21 and Vu Ngoc Mai of BBAE Cohort 67 expressed their gratitude to parents and teachers for always standing by them, offering encouragement, guidance, and strength to realize their dreams. The two students also shared their hopes for the journey ahead as members of the ISME family: “The road ahead will certainly bring difficult storms, but let us believe that every challenge is an opportunity to become more mature, courageous, and optimistic. Let us stand together, progress together, and turn these university years into a brilliant journey worthy of our youth.”

Ngo Phuong Thao of IBD Cohort 21 and Vu Ngoc Mai of BBAE Cohort 67 present flowers to the teachers on behalf of the new students as a token of their deep gratitude to NEU and the Institute of International Education

New students at the Institute of International Education began the new academic year with ISME Orientation Week — “Brilliant Horizons,” a traditional activity welcoming new students. It was not only a journey of familiarization but also an opportunity for them to create their first memorable experiences as members of the ISME family.

Overcoming their initial unfamiliarity, students of IBD Cohort 21 and BBAE Cohort 67 quickly settled in with support from senior students serving as Mentors, attentive guidance from lecturers, and a series of activities spanning six emotionally engaging days. At the end of the week, the Institute of International Education awarded certificates recognizing the efforts and dedication of the Orientation Week 2025 Organizing Committee, which helped create a meaningful start and foster connections among the new students.

The ISME Orientation Week Organizing Committee receives certificates for successfully organizing the activities welcoming new students

A vibrant, colorful opening ceremony

The ceremony closed with the new students filled with joy, pride in their chosen path, and confidence in their future success. The conclusion of the opening and welcome ceremony also marked the beginning of a dynamic and exciting new academic year, filled with beautiful memories along their journey as students. It also opened up countless opportunities for them to demonstrate their passion and enthusiasm in their new learning environment at IBD@NEU, National Economics University.

Some photos from the ceremony:

Dr. Trinh Thi Thu Giang, Vice Dean of the Institute of International Education, and lecturer John Andre award Smart Choice scholarships

Dr. Ho Hoang Lan, Head of the Undergraduate Education Division, and MSc. Vu Hoang Oanh, Chief of Office of the Institute of International Education, award Smart Choice scholarships

MSc. Nguyen Thuy Chinh, Deputy Head of the Undergraduate Education Division at the Institute of International Education, awards Potential scholarships