On the morning of October 19, 2024, National Economics University (NEU) held its 2024 opening and doctoral degree award ceremony, marking a year in which 91 PhD candidates reached the culmination of this distinguished level of study and the start of a new academic program for 124 incoming PhD candidates.

A view of the ceremony

International guests attending the ceremony included Dr. Atsaphangthong Siphandone, Mayor of the capital Vientiane and Member of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (doctoral cohort 1, Vietnam–Laos Training Project); Dr. Bounkham Vorachit, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment and Member of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (doctoral cohort 38, Vietnam–Laos Training Project); and Dr. Khamton Samvong, Education and Culture Counselor at the Lao Embassy in Vietnam.

External delegates included Hoang Van Tra, Vice Chair of the Central Inspection Commission; and Bui Quang Huy, Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee and First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union. Attending as a member of the University Council was Nguyen Thai Dung, Director of the Retail Division at BRG Group.

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; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU; Dr. Nguyen Huu Dong, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chair of the NEU Trade Union; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Thanh Huong, Vice Dean in Charge of the Institute of Postgraduate Education. Also attending were former University leaders, representatives of the leadership of University units, representatives of divisions, lecturers involved in teaching, supervising and evaluating doctoral dissertations at all levels, incoming PhD candidates, new doctoral graduates, and their families and loved ones.

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

Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong, President of NEU, said that, with nearly 70 years of growth and development, NEU takes pride in being a center for training leading managers, experts and scientists in economics, management and business administration, and one of the first educational institutions in Vietnam to offer postgraduate education.

NEU’s postgraduate academic program has a history spanning nearly 50 years, providing generations with opportunities for advanced study and research. Generations of PhD candidates have played an important role in building the University’s standing.

Addressing the 91 new doctoral graduates receiving their degrees that day, Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong said that lifelong learning is the best foundation for building a better future for individuals, their families and the country. The new doctoral graduates have every reason to be proud of their journey and their achievements.

“You have proven yourselves by overcoming difficulties and challenges. A doctoral degree is an important milestone in each person’s life, opening a new chapter full of promise but also great responsibility. Your success will always be a source of pride for your families, your teachers and NEU. We will always follow your progress and trust that you will be shining examples for future generations,” Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong emphasized.

The President also emphasized that this was a special cohort, with a large number of research papers published in ISI/Scopus journals and dozens of new doctoral graduates serving as lead authors of distinguished research publications.

Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong welcomed the 124 PhD candidates of cohort 45 to the NEU family. Prof. Pham Hong Chuong said, “On your upcoming doctoral journey, there will be times when you experience anxiety, stress, fatigue and even a sense of being at an impasse. However, these are part of life and part of being a PhD candidate. I believe that you will overcome them all and step onto the stage to receive your doctoral degrees,” Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong emphasized.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Thanh Huong, Vice Dean in Charge of the Institute of Postgraduate Education, announces the Decision on admission and the Decision on the award of doctoral degrees.

New doctoral graduates receive the Decision on the award of doctoral degrees.

MSc. Nguyen Hoang Ha, Head of the Department of Political Affairs and Student Management, announces the commendation Decisions.

Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong, President of NEU, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chair of the University Council, present certificates of merit and flowers to new doctoral graduates with outstanding achievements throughout their studies.

New doctoral graduate Dr. Nguyen Nhat Linh, Deputy Head of the Propaganda and Education Department of the Youth Union Central Committee and Deputy Secretary of the Tuyen Quang Provincial Youth Union, delivers remarks.

Speaking on behalf of the new doctoral graduates, Dr. Nguyen Nhat Linh, Deputy Head of the Propaganda and Education Department of the Youth Union Central Committee and Deputy Secretary of the Tuyen Quang Provincial Youth Union, shared that a doctoral degree from NEU was an aspiration that he and his fellow graduates were delighted and proud to have realized.

“It is an aspiration because, beyond its significance as an academic qualification—the highest degree in the national education system—it is also a qualification for life, embodying the bonds between teachers and students, friendship and, above all, a love of science. The heartfelt lessons and philosophy of life imparted by our teachers continually inspire every PhD candidate and give us the energy to overcome difficulties and challenges,” Dr. Nguyen Nhat Linh said.

“At NEU, our teachers gave us fresh perspectives on our journey of research and experience, and we developed critical thinking and the ability to solve problems proactively. Now, as new doctoral graduates of NEU, we have a responsibility to apply the knowledge gained through this degree to life, in every position and at every stage of our careers ahead, so that our teachers’ efforts to pass on their knowledge will carry greater meaning in the ‘new era of the Vietnamese nation,’” Dr. Nguyen Nhat Linh affirmed.

Vu Song Hoa, representing the incoming PhD candidates of cohort 45, delivers remarks and receives a congratulatory bouquet from University leaders.

Speaking at the ceremony, incoming PhD candidate Vu Song Hoa shared, “I believe that every incoming PhD candidate attending today’s opening ceremony feels truly honored and proud to become a PhD candidate at NEU, a university with a rich research tradition and a leading academic reputation. Each of us surely has our own reasons for choosing to pursue the highest level of study here, but we all share a passion for knowledge, a heart full of enthusiasm for science, and a determination to prove ourselves.”

“I know that the doctoral journey ahead is long, difficult and full of challenges, but it is also an opportunity for us to demonstrate our creativity and ability to learn; develop independent scientific thinking; expand our knowledge; and refine our skills.”

Incoming PhD candidate Vu Song Hoa affirmed, “We pledge to always do our utmost, continually learn and innovate, and persevere through every challenge to make valuable contributions to science and society. We commit to making the most of every opportunity we are given to improve ourselves and achieve results that will be a source of pride not only for us as individuals but also for the University and the research community.”

New doctoral graduates present the doctoral academic program’s emblem to incoming PhD candidates of cohort 45.

Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong, President of NEU, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chair of the University Council, present degrees and flowers to new Lao doctoral graduates.

University leaders pose for a commemorative photograph with the new Lao doctoral graduates.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong, Vice President of NEU, presents degrees to new doctoral graduates.

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

The presiding panel receives flowers and commemorative gifts from representatives of the new doctoral graduates.

MSc. Bui Duc Dung, Head of the Department of General Affairs, serves as master of ceremonies.

Some images from the ceremony:

Article and photos: Department of Communications

Media coverage of the ceremony:

Nhan Dan: 91 more doctoral graduates in economics

Dai Bieu Nhan Dan: National Economics University awards degrees to 91 new doctoral graduates, many of whom are lead authors of papers in ISI/Scopus journals

VTC News: National Economics University awards degrees to more than 90 new doctoral graduates in 2024

Giao Duc & Thoi Dai: National Economics University holds 2024 opening and doctoral degree award ceremony

Dan Viet: Three words make an impression in a National Economics University doctoral graduate’s graduation speech

Cong Dan Khuyen Hoc: Doctoral degrees awarded to 91 PhD candidates at National Economics University in 2024

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