On the morning of July 23, 2025, National Economics University (NEU) held a meeting with the NEU.gugugaga team before its departure for the ICPC World Finals, the global finals of the International Collegiate Programming Contest, scheduled to take place from August 31 to September 6, 2025, in Baku, Azerbaijan.

University leaders and team members attending the meeting pose for a commemorative photo

Attending the meeting were Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong, President of NEU; Dr. Nguyen Quang Huy, Rector of the College of Technology; Dr. Le Anh Duc, Head of the Department of Academic Affairs; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ha Minh Hoang, Dean of the Faculty of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence; along with representatives of the leadership of units and socio-political organizations, faculty and staff, and members of the NEU.gugugaga team.

At the ICPC Asia Pacific Championship held in Singapore in early March, the NEU.gugugaga team achieved an impressive ranking of 16th out of 65 of the strongest teams from countries including South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, Taiwan, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Notably, the team was one of only seven teams to solve Problem F, which had a very high difficulty rating of 4.5 stars, demonstrating NEU students’ sharp algorithmic thinking and impressive strategic capabilities on the international academic stage. This achievement marks an important milestone, not only affirming NEU students’ standing in technology and intellectual pursuits but also providing an opportunity for the University to enhance its position within Vietnam’s higher education system and in the international academic arena.

The NEU.gugugaga team comprises three outstanding students from the Faculty of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence: Nguyen Duc Thang, Lai Minh Quang, and Nguyen Tung Lam, all from the Artificial Intelligence Class, Cohort 66. All three students have outstanding academic records and excellent logical thinking skills. They exemplify NEU students’ capabilities, resilience, and aspirations for global engagement in the digital era.

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

Speaking at the meeting, Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong, President of NEU, expressed his pride in the team’s achievements and emphasized that NEU students are making remarkable strides not only in economics, management, and business administration but also in disciplines requiring advanced technological expertise. The NEU.gugugaga team vividly exemplifies the spirit of daring to think, act, and reach out to the world among the new generation of students.

On behalf of the University’s faculty and staff, Prof. Pham Hong Chuong extended his best wishes to the team members, expressing his hope that they would maintain their form, compete confidently, and make the most of their abilities, resilience, and teamwork to achieve the best possible results for themselves, the University, and the country.

Student Lai Minh Quang speaks on behalf of the team

Representing the team, student Lai Minh Quang also expressed his deep gratitude to the University leadership and lecturers for their continued guidance, support, and efforts to provide the best possible conditions for the students’ studies and competition preparation. On behalf of the team, Quang affirmed their determination to compete with the utmost commitment, continue working hard, remain united, and overcome every challenge to live up to the University’s trust and expectations.

It is hoped that these valuable experiences in a global intellectual arena will not only offer the students an opportunity to demonstrate their resilience and professional capabilities but also open doors to connections with the international academic community, helping to promote the image of National Economics University students as resilient, confident, globally engaged, and aspiring to greater heights. May they maintain a steadfast mindset, keep their passion alive, and bring home achievements from the ICPC World Finals that they can truly be proud of!

Article and photos: 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.