On the morning of January 12, 2025, the ceremony announcing the Prime Minister’s Decision to transition National Economics University (NEU) to the new university model officially took place, marking a proud historic milestone and laying the foundation for the University’s academic community to enter a new stage of development in step with a new era—the era of the nation’s rise.

A view of the ceremony

Attending the ceremony as representatives of central agencies, ministries, departments, sectors and localities, and as international guests, were: Nguyen Kim Son, Member of the Party Central Committee and Minister of Education and Training; Dao Hong Lan, Member of the Party Central Committee and Minister of Health; Nguyen Van Hoi, Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs; Nguyen Minh Son, Vice Chair of the National Assembly’s Economic Committee; Prof. Dr. Ta Ngoc Tan, Standing Vice Chair of the Central Theoretical Council; Nguyen Thanh Son, Member of the Hanoi Party Committee and Secretary of the Party Committee of the Hanoi Universities and Colleges Bloc; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quoc Sy, Vice President of the Association of Vietnam Universities and Colleges; Le Xuan Loi, Vice Chair of the Bac Ninh Provincial People’s Committee; and Nguyen Ngoc An, President of the Vietnam National Union of Education Workers. Also attending were representatives of the leadership of central agencies, ministries, departments, sectors, localities, organizations and businesses; delegates from the four communes that hosted the University during its evacuation in the fierce war years; and NEU’s domestic and overseas partners. The UEH University delegation included Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dong Phong, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chair of the UEH University Council; and Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh, President of UEH University.

Representing NEU were Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong, President of NEU; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chair of the University Council; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong, Vice President of NEU; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU; and Dr. Nguyen Huu Dong, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and President of the NEU Trade Union. Also attending were representatives of the University’s leadership across successive periods; representatives of the leadership of its schools, departments, faculties, institutes and centers; socio-political organizations; all teachers and scientists; and representatives of NEU’s learners and alumni.

Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong, President of NEU, delivers remarks

Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong, President of NEU, shared that over nearly 70 years of development, NEU had gradually affirmed its standing and reputation as a leading center for research and education in economics, management and business administration in Vietnam. The transition to the new university model affirms NEU’s distinctive standing in Vietnam’s higher education system.

Prof. Pham Hong Chuong said that in recent years, the University had pioneered digital transformation, invested in enhancing its capabilities and applied information technology to management, teaching and scientific research. The University had collaborated with many international organizations and earned numerous prestigious international quality accreditations.

With the establishment of three schools—Economics and Public Management, Business, and Technology—NEU has taken a major step forward, demonstrating its strategic vision of becoming a smart, multidisciplinary university spanning multiple fields.

The President of NEU shared that, as it moves toward a new stage and builds on its core values, the University will continue to focus on comprehensive development in teaching, scientific research and international cooperation.

New academic programs will continue to be introduced, ensuring that they are advanced, keep pace with internationalization trends and meet practical needs. The integration of scientific research and practical application will be strengthened, helping address socioeconomic issues, particularly amid digital transformation and increasingly extensive international integration.

“In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the University is keenly aware of its pioneering role in researching and applying new technologies to teaching and management. From applying artificial intelligence and big data to developing online learning models, we continually innovate to provide students with the best learning experiences. This not only helps students enhance their competitiveness but also contributes positively to the country’s socioeconomic development,” Prof. Pham Hong Chuong emphasized.

Dr. Nguyen Viet Loc, Director of the Department of Organization and Personnel, Ministry of Education and Training (MOET), announces the Decisions of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education and Training

Nguyen Kim Son, Member of the Party Central Committee and Minister of Education and Training, acting on behalf of the Prime Minister, presents the Prime Minister’s Decision 1368 on transitioning NEU to the new university model

Nguyen Kim Son, Member of the Party Central Committee and Minister of Education and Training, presents MOET’s Decision on transitioning and recognizing the NEU University Council under the new university model

Nguyen Kim Son, Member of the Party Central Committee and Minister of Education and Training, presents MOET’s Decision recognizing Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho as Chair of the NEU University Council for the 2021-2026 term

Nguyen Kim Son, Member of the Party Central Committee and Minister of Education and Training, presents MOET’s Decision recognizing Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong as President of NEU for the 2021-2026 term

After receiving the Prime Minister’s Decision on transitioning NEU to the new university model and the Minister of Education and Training’s Decision recognizing the Chair of the NEU University Council and the President of NEU, the University initiated procedures to consolidate its leadership structure. On December 27, 2024, the NEU University Council issued Resolution No. 27 and Resolution No. 28 transferring Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong and Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu from their Vice President positions under the former model to Vice President positions under NEU’s new university model.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho, Chair of the University Council, presents the University Council’s Resolutions, and Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong, President of NEU, presents congratulatory flowers to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong and Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice Presidents of NEU

Nguyen Kim Son, Member of the Party Central Committee, Minister of Education and Training, delivers remarks

Congratulating NEU on completing its transition to the new university model and congratulating the educators on its leadership team on assuming their positions and new leadership designations, Minister Nguyen Kim Son emphasized: “Today will go down in the University’s history as a significant milestone in its development and renewal, demonstrating its role in education and for society as a whole, the people, learners and the country.

From now on, the name ‘Dai hoc Kinh te Quoc dan’ will replace ‘Truong Dai hoc Kinh te Quoc dan.’ The only difference is the removal of the first word of the name, but this paves the way for ‘Dai’—meaning ‘great’—to come first and helps the University aspire to ‘greatness’ in every respect.”

According to the Minister, the key issue is not size. What matters about the new university model is that it is a large entity with an internal structure requiring a high level of university governance capacity and expertise, oriented toward development and expressing an aspiration to develop and grow stronger. This model enables autonomy and dynamism to flourish. Autonomy can extend to the lowest-level units, specialist groups and scientists. If the organizational model is not designed to unleash the educational institution’s creative potential from within, the transition will bring little value. The new organizational and internal governance model chosen by the University creates greater possibilities, enabling it to unlock its internal potential, foster intellectual freedom at a deeper level and make university autonomy more effective.

“The new university model is an internal governance model geared toward multidisciplinary development. Therefore, in its future development strategy, NEU needs to pursue a balanced multidisciplinary structure that continues to draw on its advantages, areas of expertise and traditional strengths. It needs to remain firmly grounded in its traditional strengths, expertise and distinctive qualities, expanding into related disciplines that support one another as a system, pursuing the most appropriate multidisciplinary approach while maintaining its identity and reputation. Being multidisciplinary does not mean doing everything others do. The University should not stray from its primary goals and mission. Its identity and brand need to be carried forward and strengthened under the new organizational and governance model,” Minister Nguyen Kim Son emphasized.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chair of the NEU University Council, delivers remarks

On behalf of the University Council, faculty, staff and students of NEU, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho thanked Party and State leaders, expressing particular gratitude to Nguyen Kim Son, Minister of Education and Training, for his sincere remarks and valuable guidance for NEU.

Assoc. Prof. Bui Duc Tho emphasized that the Minister’s praise and recognition of NEU’s efforts were not only a tremendous source of encouragement for the University’s faculty and staff, but also an affirmation of NEU’s contributions to education and socioeconomic development in Vietnam. The confidence that the Ministry and its leaders place in NEU provides a powerful impetus for the University to commit to successfully carrying out many important tasks in the time ahead.

“Looking to the future, the University’s faculty and staff pledge to continue upholding its core values and to face the challenges mentioned by the Minister without hesitation. The University will focus on improving the quality of education, ensuring that it is advanced, aligned with internationalization trends and responsive to practical needs. The University will continue to promote scientific research and critical policy review, helping address socioeconomic issues, especially amid digital transformation and extensive international integration. We pledge to contribute fully to building a modern education system and enhancing the standing of Vietnamese education on the international stage,” affirmed Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho.

NEU leaders perform the ceremony marking National Economics University’s transition to its new university model.

National Economics University was established under Decree No. 678-TTg dated January 25, 1956, initially named the School of Economics and Finance. On October 22, 1985, the Minister of Higher and Professional Secondary Education issued Decision No. 1443/QĐ-KH renaming the institution National Economics University. The ministry is now the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET).

Over 69 years of development, National Economics University has continued to grow, becoming Vietnam’s largest center for training and professional development for economic management and business administration personnel. It has trained generations of dynamic managers who readily adapt to the market economy and quickly adopt new technologies, many of whom now hold important positions in Party bodies, the National Assembly, the Government and enterprises at both central and local levels. It is a center for scientific research in economics that supports education; socioeconomic policymaking by the Party, the State, sectors and localities; and business strategies for enterprises. In addition, the University cooperates with many universities, research institutes and major, reputable international organizations.

The 69-year journey marks a proud historical milestone for the University as the country’s first institution providing education in economics. It also lays the foundation for the University’s faculty and staff to enter a new stage of development in step with the new era—the era of the nation’s rise.

MSc. Nguyen Hoang Ha, Head of the Department of Political Affairs and Student Management, serves as master of ceremonies

Some images from the ceremony:

Article and photos: Department of Communications

Media coverage of the ceremony:

Hanoi Television: National Economics University has a new name

Vnexpress: Education Minister: Universities should pursue multidisciplinary development without losing their identity

Lao Dong: National Economics University’s transition to the new university model announced

Nhan Dan: National Economics University transitions to the new university model

Dai Bieu Nhan Dan: Minister Nguyen Kim Son: National Economics University’s identity and brand must be carried forward and strengthened as it adopts the new “university” model

Giao Duc & Thoi Dai: Decision announced on National Economics University’s transition to the new university model

Vietnamnet: National Economics University’s transition to the new university model: More than removing a word from its name

Dan Tri: National Economics University pilots computer-based testing and learning, moving toward their adoption

Tien Phong: National Economics University transitions to the new university model

Tuoi Tre: ‘National Economics University must preserve its identity as it pursues multidisciplinary development’

Thanh Nien: ‘Transitioning to the new university model is more than a name change’

Giao Duc Viet Nam: National Economics University’s identity and brand must be carried forward and strengthened under the new model

VTC News: Decision presented on National Economics University’s transition to the new university model

Government Newspaper: Creating the best conditions for National Economics University to develop

Vietnam News Agency: National Economics University transitions to the new university model

Chinh Sach & Cuoc Song (Vietnam News Agency): National Economics University needs to strengthen its identity and brand under the new governance model

VOV: National Economics University officially transitions to the new university model

VOV2: National Economics University officially adopts the new university model

Nguoi Lao Dong: National Economics University transitions to the new university model

Nha Bao & Cong Luan: Minister Nguyen Kim Son: Universities need to educate a generation of entrepreneurs who “consider righteousness when pursuing profit”

Cong An Nhan Dan: Prime Minister’s Decision announced on National Economics University’s transition to the new university model

Quan Doi Nhan Dan: National Economics University transitions to the new university model

Communist Party of Vietnam Online Portal: Marking the milestone of National Economics University’s transition to the new university model

Thuong Hieu & Cong Luan: National Economics University officially transitions to the new university model

Vietnam Plus: National Economics University officially transitions to the new university model

Nguoi Dua Tin: Transitioning to the new university model must unleash educational institutions’ creative potential

Dan Viet: Transitioning to the new university model: Who are the Chair of the University Council and President of National Economics University?

Kinh Te & Do Thi: Prime Minister’s Decision on National Economics University announced

VOH: National Economics University transitions to the new university model

Industry and Trade Magazine: National Economics University completes its transition to the new university model

Hai Quan: National Economics University’s transition to the new university model: Toward a balanced multidisciplinary structure

Doi Song Phap Luat: National Economics University becomes Vietnam’s ninth institution to adopt the new university model

Giao Duc Thu Do: National Economics University needs to strengthen its identity and brand under the new governance model

Kenh 14: National Economics University transitions to the new university model

Chat Luong va Cuoc Song: National Economics University transitions to the new university model

Cong Dan & Khuyen Hoc: National Economics University’s transition to the new university model announced

The World & Vietnam Report: National Economics University officially transitions to the new university model

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