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 Representative Office in Vietnam; and Tang Thi Do Quyen, representative of the EFLC Foreign Language Center (under the Linguistics Society of Vietnam). Representing NEU were Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong, President of NEU; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh, Dean of the Institute of International Education, together with many leaders of departments, faculties and schools, 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 welcoming remarks at the ceremony.

Speaking at the event, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU, 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 a highly selective admissions process to join one of NEU’s leading international programs. The Vice President affirmed that parents and new students had made the right decision in choosing IBD@NEU as the destination for their next four years of university study. He noted that this year marked the Institute of International Education’s 21st year of demonstrating quality in admissions, education, academic management and scientific research, as well as in student support, innovation in competency-based teaching and assessment, and the promotion of international cooperation.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu told the students: “Gaining admission to 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: independently and with self-determination. Thank you for placing your trust in and choosing the Institute of International Education, NEU—a place where you will experience the most beautiful years of your youth, develop your character and 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 and Leeds Beckett University, United Kingdom, and Andrews University, United States, send welcome messages to new students at the ceremony.

Addressing the new students, lecturer Daniel Van Houtte, who has taught at 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 busy schedule. Sometimes you will attend three classes a day and also have assignments to complete for your lecturers. In addition, you will need to make 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 more important than what you learn. From this point onward, networking, group activities and project management with classmates, lecturers and alumni will be among the top priorities in your studies.”

Daniel Van Houtte speaks on behalf of the IBD@NEU program’s lecturers.

Over the past 21 years, faculty, staff and students of the Institute of International Education have affirmed the standing and quality of the IBD@NEU International Bachelor’s Program. Today, IBD@NEU has become a leading 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 methods 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 Scorer,” “Potential” and “Smart Choice” scholarships to applicants with outstanding achievements.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh, Dean of the Institute of International Education, award Top Scorer Scholarships covering 50% of tuition fees for the first three academic years at IBD.

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, award Top Scorer Scholarships covering 15% and 25% of tuition fees for the first three academic years at IBD.

To bring together students with strong academic ability and business potential and train a new generation of entrepreneurs with an innovative spirit and aspirations to take Vietnamese businesses to the international stage, the Institute of International Education introduced the Nurturing Global Entrepreneurs – Future Global Entrepreneur scholarship in the 2024 academic year. NEU and Andrews University, United States, jointly contribute to the scholarship fund. The scholarship, worth up to VND 80 million, is 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 award Nurturing Global Entrepreneurs 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 join the University amid a joyful 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 upholds and fosters.

Student Ngo Thanh Tung shares a message with the 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 upcoming four-year journey 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 knowledge but also in my understanding of society. […] And at that point, 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, every lecturer, every senior student and every friend at IBD will always stand by you and show understanding, whatever choices you make.”

Student Tran Vu Trang Vy delivers remarks and, on behalf of the new students, presents bouquets of fresh flowers to the lecturers 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 lecturers of the Institute of International Education and students from earlier cohorts for organizing an Orientation Week filled with emotion. Alongside 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 reflects the Institute’s spirit, reiterated many times during Orientation Week: ‘Awesomeness – being wonderful.’ I believe that all the students here and I will strive together so that, after four years at the Institute of International Education, we will have become the best, most wonderful versions of ourselves.”

The Orientation Week organizing team receives certificates recognizing its successful organization of activities welcoming new students.

The new students took part together in Orientation Week – A Brilliant Journey, a distinctive tradition of the IBD@NEU International Bachelor’s Program. Orientation Week marks a beginning for new IBD students, helping them create their first truly memorable experiences in their shared home, the Institute of International Education (ISME). Moving beyond their initial shyness and unfamiliarity, students in IBD Cohort 20 quickly found themselves surrounded by the affection of their senior student Mentors and the attentive care of the Institute’s lecturers during five days that, though brief, were filled with emotion and connection. The Institute of International Education awarded certificates recognizing the successful organization of the Orientation Week extracurricular activities to acknowledge the contributions, efforts and enthusiasm of the Orientation Week 2024 organizing team.

Delegates, lecturers and parents pose for commemorative photos with the classes of IBD Cohort 20.

The ceremony concluded with the new students filled with joy, pride in their chosen path and confidence in their future success. The close of the opening ceremony also marked the beginning of a dynamic and exciting new academic year for 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, at NEU.

More photos from the ceremony:

Dr. Ho Hoang Lan, Head of the Undergraduate Division, Institute of International Education, and lecturer Daniel Van Houtte present Smart Choice Scholarships to new students.

MSc. Vu Hoang Oanh, Chief of Office of the Institute of International Education, and Le Thi Thu Ha, Chair of the Institute’s Trade Union, present Smart Choice Scholarships to new students.

MSc. Nguyen Thuy Chinh, Deputy Head of the Undergraduate Division, presents Potential Scholarships to new students.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh, Dean of the Institute of International Education, and Dr. Trinh Thi Thu Giang, Vice Dean of the Institute of International Education, present certificates recognizing the successful organization of Orientation Week 2024.

This is an automated translation. If you notice any errors, please contact the Department of Communications, National Economics University at phongtruyenthong@neu.edu.vn.