On the morning of September 23, 2024, amid the excitement of welcoming the new academic year, the opening ceremony for Cohort 20 of the IBD@NEU International Bachelor’s Program took place in a formal and moving atmosphere at Hall A2, National Economics University (NEU).

A view of the opening ceremony for Cohort 20 of the IBD@NEU International Bachelor’s Program

External guests attending the ceremony included Nguyen Thi Thao, Representative of the University of the West of England’s Representative Office in Vietnam; and Tang Thi Do Quyen, Representative of the EFLC Foreign Language Center (under the Linguistic Society of Vietnam).

Representing National Economics University (NEU) were Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong, President; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh, Dean of the Institute of International Education. Also attending were numerous representatives of the leadership of departments, faculties and institutes, faculty and staff teaching at the Institute of International Education, parents, and 325 new students in the fall intake of Cohort 20 of the IBD International Bachelor’s Program.

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

Speaking at the ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President, warmly welcomed the 325 new students in the fall intake of Cohort 20 of the IBD International Bachelor’s Program. He congratulated them on passing the highly selective admissions process to become part of one of NEU’s highest-quality international programs.

Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Thanh Hieu affirmed that parents and new students had made the right choice in selecting IBD@NEU as the place to spend their next four years of university. He noted that this year marked the Institute of International Education’s 21st year of continuing to demonstrate quality in admissions, education and academic management, scientific research, student support activities, innovation in teaching and assessment methods toward competency development, and the expansion of international cooperation.

Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President, told the students: “Becoming a member of NEU in general, and the Institute of International Education in particular, is always a source of pride for you and your families. It also marks the beginning of new ambitions and horizons, a new life, and a new way of learning based on autonomy and self-determination. Thank you for placing your trust in and choosing the Institute of International Education at NEU—a place where you will experience the most beautiful years of your youth, cultivate your character, develop your talents, and begin your careers.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh, Dean of the Institute of International Education, announces the Decision approving the list of admitted students for the fall intake of Cohort 20 of the IBD@NEU Program

Representatives of partner universities Coventry University, Leeds Beckett University (United Kingdom), and Andrews University (United States) send welcome messages to new students at the ceremony

Daniel Van Houtte delivers remarks on behalf of the IBD@NEU program’s lecturers

Addressing the new students, lecturer Daniel Van Houtte, who has worked with the Institute of International Education for many years, shared: “We will provide students with in-depth knowledge throughout their time in the program. Students may face a demanding schedule. Sometimes you will attend three classes a day, along with a workload assigned by your lecturers. You will also need to set aside time for group assignments, presentation preparation, and other learning support activities.”

He also offered the new students this advice: “The ability to connect with people is the key to success in business. Who you learn from is sometimes even more important than what you learn. From this point forward, networking, teamwork, and project management with your classmates, lecturers, and alumni will be among the top priorities in your studies.”

Assoc. 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 Entrant Scholarships covering 50% of tuition for the first three academic years at IBD

Over the past 21 years, the faculty, staff, and students of the Institute of International Education have established the standing and quality of the IBD@NEU International Bachelor’s Program. Today, IBD@NEU has become a top choice for individuals with good to excellent academic ability and a desire to study in a dynamic, challenging international environment. The IBD entrance examination gave new students in Cohort 20 their first experience of the program’s teaching approaches and objectives. To recognize students who not only achieved high results in the admissions process but also demonstrated the qualities the program seeks and values, NEU decided to award “Top Entrant,” “Potential,” and “Smart Choice” scholarships to candidates with outstanding achievements.

Dr. Trinh Thi Thu Giang, Vice Dean of the Institute of International Education, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Huy Thong, Dean of the Faculty of Marketing, present Top Entrant Scholarships covering 15% and 25% of tuition for the first three academic years at IBD.

To attract students with strong academic ability and business potential and educate a new generation of entrepreneurs with an innovative spirit and the ambition to bring Vietnamese businesses to the international stage, the Institute of International Education introduced the Future Global Entrepreneur scholarship in the 2024 academic year. NEU and Andrews University (United States) jointly contribute to the scholarship fund. Scholarships worth up to VND 80 million are available to students in the first cohort of the Bachelor of Business Administration program, majoring in International Business, offered jointly by NEU and Andrews University (United States). Andrews University and NEU also award Pioneer Scholarships worth VND 10 million to students in the program’s first cohort.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh present Future Global Entrepreneur Scholarships and Pioneer Scholarships to students in the first cohort of the Business Administration program offered jointly with Andrews University (United States)

Each year, new IBD students arrive to an enthusiastic welcome from the entire student community of the Institute of International Education. In a spirit of solidarity, students from earlier cohorts are always ready to help new students settle in quickly and understand the values that the Institute’s student community celebrates and cultivates.

Student Ngo Thanh Tung shares his experiences with new students

Representing students from earlier cohorts, Ngo Thanh Tung, a student in IBD Cohort 17, shared his experiences and advice with the new students of Cohort 20 for their next four years at IBD: “Every day, I learn new ways of thinking and new perspectives from new people at IBD. This has gradually helped me mature, not only in my knowledge but also in my thinking about society… And that was when I truly understood the value that IBD had brought me. That value lies not only in the red shirts and individual achievements, but also in motivation, spirit, and education. Every staff member, teacher, senior student, and friend at IBD will always stand by you and understand you, whatever choices you make.”

Student Tran Vu Trang Vy delivers remarks and, on behalf of the new students, presents bouquets to the teachers as an expression of deep gratitude to NEU and the Institute of International Education

Representing the 325 new students present at the ceremony, Tran Vu Trang Vy thanked the teachers at the Institute of International Education and students from earlier cohorts for organizing an emotion-filled Orientation Week. Along with her happiness and gratitude, Trang Vy also shared her hopes for the journey ahead with the IBD family: “Each of us has our own mission, distinctive qualities, and personality, and we will all shine in our own way. This is true to the Institute’s spirit, repeated many times throughout Orientation Week: ‘Awesomeness—being wonderful.’ I believe that all the students here and I will strive together to become the most complete, most wonderful versions of ourselves by the end of our four years at the Institute of International Education.”

The Orientation Week organizing team receives certificates for successfully organizing activities to welcome new students

The new students experienced Orientation Week—A Brilliant Journey together, a distinctive tradition of the IBD@NEU International Bachelor’s Program. Orientation Week provides a starting point for new IBD students, helping them create their first truly “unforgettable” memories in their shared home, the Institute of International Education (ISME). Overcoming their initial shyness and unfamiliarity, students in IBD Cohort 20 soon felt embraced by the affection of their senior student Mentors and the warm support of the Institute of International Education’s teachers during five brief days filled with emotion and connection. The Institute of International Education awarded the members of the Orientation Week 2024 organizing team certificates for successfully organizing the Orientation Week extracurricular activities, recognizing their contributions and enthusiasm.

Delegates, lecturers, and parents pose for commemorative photos with students from the IBD Cohort 20 classes

The ceremony closed amid the joy of the new students, who felt proud of their chosen path and confident in their future success. The end of the opening ceremony also marked the beginning of a dynamic and exciting new academic year for the new students of Cohort 20, filled with beautiful memories along their student journey. 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 (NEU).

Some photos from the ceremony:

Article and photos: Institute of International Education & 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.