On May 31, 2024, the Institute of International Education at National Economics University (NEU) held the graduation ceremony for the IMD@NEU International Master’s Program in Business Administration, offered in partnership with the University of the West of England, United Kingdom.

An overview of the graduation ceremony

Representing the University of the West of England, United Kingdom, at the ceremony were Prof. Ray Priest, Director for the Asia-Pacific Region; and Hoang Lan Hoa, Chief Representative of the University of the West of England in Vietnam. Representing NEU were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh, Dean of the Institute of International Education; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ta Van Loi, Rector of the College of Business. Also attending were representatives of the leadership of departments, faculties, institutes and centers; faculty and staff involved in teaching and administering the program; and, especially, parents, families and friends who came to share in the joy of the new master’s graduates.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President, speaks at the graduation ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU, extended his heartfelt congratulations to the new IMD@NEU master’s graduates. He affirmed: “We greatly appreciate your determined and sustained efforts in embarking on and completing a master’s program of European-standard quality—the IMD@NEU International Master’s Program—while also fulfilling equally demanding daily responsibilities at work, at home and in society.” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu also extended special thanks to the professors and administrative staff of the partner institution, the University of the West of England, United Kingdom, for their close cooperation and shared commitment to delivering the IMD@NEU International Master’s Program at NEU.

Prof. Ray Priest, Director for the Asia-Pacific Region at the University of the West of England, speaks at the ceremony.

At the ceremony, Prof. Ray Priest, Director for the Asia-Pacific Region at the University of the West of England, said that he had consistently followed the master’s students’ progress and was moved to see them complete a meaningful journey marked by considerable hardship, challenges and effort. Reflecting on his personal experience, he said: “Life is a journey of accepting challenges, overcoming difficulties and achieving your personal best.” He offered the master’s students this advice: “Throughout this master’s program, you have surely faced challenges and received help to overcome them. That help and support may have come from your teachers, friends or family at different times. Right now, at this very moment, set your sights even higher. Keep striving, keep learning and keep expanding your knowledge. On that learning journey, we can make a difference, do something to change the world, improve life in our communities and bring better things to future generations.”

Prof. Ray Priest, Director for the Asia-Pacific Region at the University of the West of England, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU, present degrees to the new master’s graduates.

Prof. Ray Priest, Director for the Asia-Pacific Region at the University of the West of England, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh, Dean of the Institute of International Education at NEU, present degrees to the new master’s graduates.

With the aim of developing human resources who meet international standards and have specialized expertise in business administration, NEU has expanded its partnerships with many reputable universities around the world. In particular, the International Master’s Program in Business Administration is the result of cooperation between the University of the West of England, United Kingdom, and NEU. Designed specifically for managers in businesses and socioeconomic organizations, the program provides strategic thinking, up-to-date knowledge and a solid, systematic grounding in management and leadership. Following more than 10 years of successful cooperation at the undergraduate level, the two universities formally expanded their educational partnership to the master’s level in 2022. The Master’s Program in Business Administration has attracted interest and seen its first two cohorts successfully graduate.

Prof. Ray Priest, Director for the Asia-Pacific Region at the University of the West of England, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU, present a certificate of merit to a new master’s graduate for outstanding academic achievement.

Master’s student Pham Hoang Giang shares reflections at the ceremony on behalf of the 12 new master’s graduates.

Honored to represent the new master’s graduates, MSc. Pham Hoang Giang shared heartfelt reflections on this special occasion: “For all of us, and for me personally, studying in the IMD@NEU International Master’s Program has been one of the most memorable journeys of our lives. Only after going through challenging interviews and entrance examinations did we earn the opportunity to become master’s students in one of the world’s leading master’s programs.”

Giang spoke proudly of the learning journey: “From specialized knowledge continually updated to reflect the latest global trends, to experience handling real-world situations and the soft skills needed to become global citizens and professional managers in a new era, we have developed and honed all of these through this highly rewarding program. With the knowledge and confidence gained from the program, each of us is proud to have achieved a measure of success in our careers. Today, as we return to the University, we are deeply honored and proud to be formally recognized as graduates and become new holders of a master’s degree in business administration.”

New master’s graduates present flowers in appreciation to representatives of the leadership of NEU and UWE, United Kingdom.

The ceremony concluded amid the joy of the new master’s graduates, filled with pride in their achievements and firm confidence in the future. Life is a series of journeys, and among them, the pursuit and enrichment of knowledge is truly an adventure that demands effort and continual growth beyond one’s own limits. Today, NEU’s leadership and administrative staff joyfully witnessed the radiant pride on the faces of the new master’s graduates at this graduation ceremony. This is the result of shared commitment and tireless effort, and a source of honor not only for the master’s students but also for the University and their families.

The joy of new master’s graduates on their momentous graduation day.

Additional photos 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.