On the afternoon of March 18, 2024, at the Cultural Center – Auditorium A, the School of Business Administration, National Economics University (NEU), held a graduation ceremony for new graduates of the joint Master of Business Administration program between NEU and Andrews University, USA.

A view of the ceremony

Representing Andrews University, USA, at the ceremony were Dr. Alayne Thorpe, Vice President; Dr. Amy Rebok Rosenthal, Vice President; Dr. Kimberly Pichot, Dean of the College of Business, Computing and Aviation, Andrews University; and Dr. Nguyen Viet Anh, Director of Andrews University Programs in Vietnam.

Representing the partner organization, Vietnam National Petroleum Group (Petrolimex), were Le Van Huong, Member of the Board of Directors and Head of the Board’s Personnel, Salary and Bonus Committee; Nguyen Tri Thien, Head of the Group’s Organization and Personnel Department; and Nguyen Trong Dai, Deputy Head of the Group’s Organization and Personnel Department.

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; Prof. Dr. Tran Tho Dat, Chair of the Scientific and Training Council; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thi Lan Huong, Dean of the School of Business Administration. Also attending were representatives of the leadership of departments, faculties, schools, institutes and centers; lecturers teaching in the program; faculty and staff; and, notably, 43 new Andrews-MBA graduates, along with their relatives, friends and colleagues.

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

On behalf of NEU’s academic community, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President, congratulated the 43 new master’s graduates on their efforts and dedication over the past years, which had brought them to the graduation ceremony that day.

Acknowledging the efforts and dedication of the learners and lecturers in the Andrews Master of Business Administration program, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu said: “We would like to give special recognition to the tireless efforts and dedication of the lecturers and learners, who overcame difficulties to complete the program with excellent results, particularly during challenging times when external factors created significant barriers to teaching and learning. On behalf of NEU’s leadership, I extend my best wishes to the 43 new master’s graduates who have met the graduation requirements and have the honor of receiving their prestigious Master of Business Administration degrees today.” Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Thanh Hieu expressed confidence that the learners would apply and build on the knowledge they had acquired in their lives, becoming business administration experts, talented leaders of corporations and enterprises, or entrepreneurs.

Dr. Alayne Thorpe, Vice President of Andrews University, delivers remarks.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Alayne Thorpe, Vice President of Andrews University, emphasized the importance of globalization and the advantage that the Andrews MBA degree gives new graduates as a key to becoming global citizens equipped with knowledge, skills and a positive attitude toward work. With the motto “Seek Knowledge, Affirm Faith, and Change the World,” the Andrews-MBA program has made an important contribution to realizing Andrews University’s vision of developing high-quality human resources not only for Vietnam but also for the world—people capable of innovation and changing the world.

Concluding her remarks, Dr. Alayne Thorpe extended her best wishes to the new master’s graduates and expressed great pride in the positive results of the international educational partnership with the School of Business Administration, NEU.

Le Van Huong, Member of the Board of Directors and Head of the Board’s Personnel, Salary and Bonus Committee at Vietnam National Petroleum Group, delivers remarks.

Also at the ceremony, Le Van Huong — Member of the Board of Directors and Head of the Board’s Personnel, Salary and Bonus Committee at Vietnam National Petroleum Group, a partner organization—offered congratulations on the success of the Andrews-MBA program in general and the cohort graduating that day in particular, which included 34 learners who were managers at the Group and its member companies. Le Van Huong praised the spirit of innovation, adaptability and strong determination of Andrews University, NEU and all Petrolimex learners in overcoming difficulties and challenges to complete this academic program. “The degrees our learners receive today are the result of the tireless efforts of Andrews University and NEU, demonstrating the strength of international cooperation in education and the close, high-quality partnership between the two universities.” Le Van Huong expressed hope for more opportunities to continue working with both universities on the Group’s specialized training activities in the future.

Representatives of Vietnam National Petroleum Group’s leadership present commemorative gifts in appreciation to representatives of the two universities’ leadership.

Amid the joy of graduation day, learners Do Giang and Nguyen Thi Thu Ha shared their thoughts and feelings at the ceremony on behalf of the 43 new master’s graduates. “We would like to thank NEU, the School of Business Administration, the lecturers at Andrews University and the teaching assistants for their dedicated teaching, for sharing their knowledge and for helping us overcome the difficulties of the COVID-19 period so that all learners in the class could finish on time with the best possible results. They also gave us the opportunity to access the world’s most advanced education right here in Vietnam.

This course also provided a solid foundation and equipped us with extensive knowledge, experience and creative thinking, helping us become more confident in our work and lives, ready to use our knowledge to contribute to society and help change the world for the better, in keeping with the spirit of Andrews University’s slogan: ‘World Changers Made Here,’” new master’s graduates Do Giang and Nguyen Thi Thu Ha emphasized.

Representatives of the new master’s graduates speak at the ceremony.

At the ceremony, representatives of the new master’s graduates presented the leaders of the two universities with a commemorative gift and a bouquet of fresh flowers in appreciation of the efforts and dedication of the faculty and staff who had supported them throughout a course marked by hardship and difficulties due to COVID-19, but also by many wonderful memories.

Representatives of the new master’s graduates present flowers and commemorative gifts to the leaders of the two universities.

The conclusion of the graduation ceremony also marked the moment when the new master’s graduates officially became alumni, proudly joining NEU’s alumni network. May you achieve success and fulfill your aspirations and ambitions on the road ahead, becoming successful entrepreneurs. Your success is the mission toward which the University continually strives.

Some images from the ceremony:

Article and photos: School of Business Administration & 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.