On the evening of April 23, 2024, the Institute of International Education, National Economics University (NEU), held the launch and cooperation commitment signing ceremony for its one-on-one business mentoring program (ISME Mentoring Program 2024). Initiated by the Institute of International Education and implemented for the first time at NEU, the program is founded on the philosophy of providing personalized mentoring experiences for students by drawing on the University’s network of alumni and former learners.

A view of the ceremony

Attending the event from NEU were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President; Dr. Vu Trong Nghia, Head of the Department of Communications; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh, Dean of the Institute of International Education. Also attending were representatives of the leadership of University units, student mentees, mentors, program advisors, and faculty members.

The Institute of International Education, mentors, and mentees signed a tripartite commitment agreeing to participate in the program and work closely together to achieve its stated goals, thereby bringing about positive changes in the students themselves. Students wishing to participate undergo a rigorous selection process, from application screening to interviews. Through this process, the program selects the most suitable students who demonstrate commitment, a serious attitude, and initiative, pairing them with mentors who are experts or businesspeople from organizations in Vietnam and abroad. Students will receive one-on-one mentoring for at least three months to help them shape their career paths, develop self-mastery, become physically and mentally resilient, and learn to contribute to society and the community.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh, Dean of the Institute of International Education, delivers the opening remarks

In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh, Dean of the Institute of International Education, affirmed that the launch and commitment signing ceremony was the first step in a series of truly meaningful activities for the Institute’s students. As they learn and mature, students need an expert in their field to help spark their interests, share experiences and insights into professional practice, guide their personal development through a personalized approach, and foster an awareness of contributing together to the community.

Do Hai Ha, Deputy Executive Director of the Vingroup Leadership Training Academy, speaks on behalf of the mentors

Speaking on behalf of the mentors, Do Hai Ha, Deputy Executive Director of the Vingroup Leadership Training Academy, affirmed that this was a beneficial program where alumni and former learners could return to the institution where they had studied to share their experiences, while mentors themselves would also learn a great deal from their mentees. The mentors hoped that mentees would make the most of this opportunity and draw extensively on their mentors’ information, knowledge, and networks, thereby helping to build a solid foundation for their future careers.

Student Hoang Minh Anh speaks on behalf of the students

Representing the mentees, Hoang Minh Anh, a third-year student in the International Bachelor’s Program, expressed sincere gratitude to the leadership and faculty of NEU and the Institute of International Education, as well as the mentors, for creating a practical “platform” of the kind every student hopes for during their university years. The mentees pledged to consistently make every effort, take the program seriously, show initiative, remain ready to learn, and accept their mentors’ guidance to achieve their initial goals.

Phase I of the program runs from April 23, 2024, to July 23, 2024. Phase II is expected to run from August to December of the same year, after which the program will be implemented on an ongoing basis by academic year. In the first selection round, 20 students were selected from nearly 70 applicants. 18 mentors were invited to accompany students on the journey ahead in the fields for which students had registered, including marketing, finance and banking, personal development, human resource management, and strategy, among others. The mentors are alumni, former learners, and collaborators of the Institute of International Education and NEU who continue to cherish the experiences they gained at the University and now wish to return to contribute to the University and subsequent generations as a way of creating value for society.

The program organized a series of training sessions for mentors and mentees with support from Program Advisor Nguyen Thanh Binh, Marketing Director of TH School, an experienced mentor and coaching expert. These activities helped make the program’s launch especially meaningful, equipping mentees and mentors with the preparation needed to adopt an appropriate approach and the right attitude when participating in the program.

With the aim of offering students personalized experiential activities to discover themselves, identify career directions, and help build a solid foundation for their future development, the one-on-one business mentoring program (ISME Mentoring Program 2024) is an exceptionally meaningful and valuable initiative for all participants. The Institute of International Education, NEU, continually strives to innovate and develop creative approaches and is committed to providing students with rich and diverse experiential opportunities, so that they receive an education worthy of their youthful years, their thirst for knowledge, their enthusiasm, and their desire to contribute.

Mentors attend the ceremony and sign cooperation commitments with the Institute of International Education for the one-on-one business mentoring program

Additional images from the ceremony:

Article and photos: Institute of International Education and 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.