On the afternoon of September 28, 2024, National Economics University (NEU) hosted the opening ceremony for the third cohort of the joint full-time international bachelor’s program in Finance and Management between NEU and La Trobe University.

A view of the ceremony

External guests attending the ceremony included Chris Morley, Trade and Investment Commissioner, Australian Embassy; Hien Le, Trade Development Director, Australian Government Trade and Investment Commission; Dr. Doan Van Thang, Head of the Members’ Council and General Director of VAMC Asset Management Company; Dang Dinh Thich, Deputy General Director of VAMC Asset Management Company; Pham Tien Duc, General Director of Hanoi Housing Development and Investment Corporation (Handico); Nguyen Duc Thang, Deputy General Director of Hanoi Housing Development and Investment Corporation (Handico); Nguyen Anh Trung, General Director of Alpha Securities Joint Stock Company; Nguyen Huu Bang, Director of Vietcombank Ha Thanh; Nguyen Quoc Hung, Director of Agribank Bac Ninh; Nguyen Thanh Son, Representative of the Council of the Vietnam Banks Association; Dr. Le Anh Tuan, Senior Specialist, Deputy Head of the Organization Commission of the Ministry of Finance Party Committee and Deputy Division Head in the Department of Banking and Finance, Ministry of Finance; Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Huu Thanh, Deputy Secretary General of the Military Business Association; Le Quang Hoa, Director of Lam Thinh Phat Hanoi Joint Stock Company; Nguyen Mau Son, Deputy Director of BIDV Cau Giay Branch; Duong Thi Anh Tuyet, Chair of the Board of Directors of General Construction, Trading and Import-Export Joint Stock Company; Le Quang Chung, Deputy General Director of Smart Invest Securities Joint Stock Company; Le Anh Tan, Deputy Director of SHB Dong Do Branch; journalist Nguyen Tien Binh, Editor-in-Chief of Vietnam Education Newspaper; and journalists, reporters, and representatives of news agencies and media outlets.

Representing NEU were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chair of the University Council; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Xuan Que, Head of the Program Executive Board and Dean of the School of Banking and Finance; members of the NEU Party Committee and University Council; representatives of the leadership of schools, faculties, institutes, departments, and centers, and representatives of socio-political organizations; faculty members serving on the Steering Committee and Executive Board of the joint academic program with La Trobe University; lecturers from the School of Banking and Finance; students from the first and second cohorts; and, in particular, the program’s 176 new students in the third cohort and their families.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chair of the University Council of NEU, delivers the opening address and congratulates the new students.

Speaking at the ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chair of the University Council, thanked the new students for placing their trust in and choosing the joint program between NEU and La Trobe University, Australia.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho expressed his belief that this would be a place where students would experience the most beautiful years of their youth, cultivate their character and talents, and gain advanced knowledge and learn about cutting-edge science and technology from two leading universities in Australia and Vietnam in their quest to master humanity’s knowledge. “After graduation, you will confidently move forward as economic and financial experts, business executives and managers, and startup entrepreneurs who understand our nation’s humanistic philosophies while being fully equipped as global citizens, thereby contributing to the country’s prosperity and serving society,” Assoc. Prof. Bui Duc Tho emphasized.

Prof. Amalia Di Iorio, Vice President for Educational Partnerships at La Trobe University, delivers congratulatory remarks in a short video.

Chris Morley, Trade and Investment Commissioner, Australian Embassy in Vietnam, delivers congratulatory remarks.

Chris Morley, Trade and Investment Commissioner, Australian Embassy in Vietnam, said that education was a key activity in the peaceful and friendly relationship between Vietnam and Australia. Academic programs and cooperation between the two countries are diverse. Over the past 50 years, more than 100,000 Vietnamese students have completed courses in Australia and returned to Vietnam to work. In addition to Vietnamese students traveling to Australia to study, school and university students also study Australian programs in Vietnam. Currently, just over 25,000 Vietnamese students are enrolled in Australian academic programs in Vietnam.

“The joint academic program between NEU and La Trobe University, Australia, is the first joint program in Vietnam and has been highly successful. I am delighted to learn that its enrollment continues to grow. The program will contribute to developing a high-quality workforce in Vietnam,” Chris Morley emphasized.

New students in the third cohort of the joint full-time international bachelor’s program in Finance and Management between NEU and La Trobe University

La Trobe University is one of Australia’s oldest and most reputable public universities and ranks among the top 1% of universities worldwide.

The joint international bachelor’s program between NEU and La Trobe University, Australia, features an advanced curriculum taught entirely in English. Its lecturers are highly experienced professors, associate professors, and doctoral degree holders from both universities who were trained in developed countries.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chair of the University Council, and Chris Morley, Trade and Investment Commissioner, Australian Embassy in Vietnam, present scholarships to new students with outstanding results in admissions for the third cohort.

With the program’s slogan, “La Trobe – NEU: Nurturing Talent – Affirming Excellence,” students study and participate in activities in a dynamic, friendly environment with modern facilities and equipment for teaching and learning.

In particular, students in the program can study all three years at NEU or study for two years at NEU and transfer to Australia for one year. Upon enrollment, they receive accounts and all the benefits of full-time La Trobe University students. While at NEU, students can access all of La Trobe University’s data and its Library to support their studies and research, with regular guidance from La Trobe University staff in Australia and program staff at NEU.

In addition, students enjoy all the benefits available to NEU students, including participation in Youth Union and Student Association activities, opportunities to pursue Party membership, participation in clubs, and access to the Library and other facilities serving students at NEU. If they transfer to Australia for their third year, students can choose from several majors other than Finance and Management. After graduation, students are also eligible for consideration by the Australian Government for a two-year Working Visa in Australia.

All students admitted to the program this year have strong academic abilities and English proficiency, with some achieving IELTS scores of 8.0 and 7.5. This provides highly favorable conditions for students to study and participate in activities in an international environment.

Chris Morley, Trade and Investment Commissioner, Australian Embassy in Vietnam, and Doan Van Thang, General Director of VAMC Asset Management Company, present scholarships to new students with the most impressive essays.

Chris Morley, Trade and Investment Commissioner, Australian Embassy in Vietnam, and Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Huu Thanh, Chief of Office of the Military Business Association, present scholarships to students from the first and second cohorts with the most outstanding academic results and to exemplary students who achieved outstanding academic results and actively participated in activities and initiatives of the School and the University during the 2023-2024 academic year.

Chris Morley, Trade and Investment Commissioner, Australian Embassy in Vietnam, and Le Quang Chung, Deputy General Director of Smart Invest Securities Joint Stock Company, present awards to students from the first and second cohorts with strong academic results and participation in numerous social activities.

New student Le Cong Minh speaks on behalf of the third cohort of the La Trobe – NEU international bachelor’s program.

Speaking at the ceremony, new student Le Cong Minh expressed gratitude on behalf of the 176 students in the third La Trobe – NEU cohort to the teachers and parents attending the opening ceremony.

Explaining his reasons for choosing the La Trobe – NEU Program, Le Cong Minh said that NEU, Vietnam’s leading university in economics, management, and business administration, and La Trobe University, a leading Australian public university ranked among the top 1% of universities worldwide, would help him become the best version of himself so that he could realize his dreams and aspirations. Together with all the new La Trobe students, he would strive to excel not only in his studies but also in life.

“Together with all the new La Trobe students, I will strive to excel not only in my studies but also in life. Let us join hands, stand united, and care for one another so that we can improve ourselves in every respect and together reach the heights of human knowledge,” Cong Minh shared.

Student Tran Ngoc Linh Anh, Deputy Class Representative of the first La Trobe cohort, shares her experiences in studying and participating in extracurricular activities.

Student representatives present flowers to teachers and delegates in appreciation.

Leaders of NEU’s School of Banking and Finance said that all students admitted to the La Trobe – NEU program receive a 30% scholarship from the program, which is deducted directly from their tuition fees.

At the opening ceremony, businesses and researchers awarded 43 scholarships totaling VND 172 million to 14 new students with outstanding admissions results, 19 students with outstanding academic achievements, and 10 class officers and active Youth Union members from the first and second cohorts.

Doan Van Thang, General Director of Vietnam Asset Management Company (VAMC), delivers remarks.

Nguyen Anh Trung, General Director of Alpha Securities Joint Stock Company, offers words of advice to students in the La Trobe – NEU program.

The opening ceremony for the third cohort of the full-time international bachelor’s program in Finance and Management jointly offered by NEU and La Trobe University concluded on a positive note. We wish the students a memorable time at NEU and La Trobe University. May the partnership between the two institutions continue to strengthen and grow.

Some images from the ceremony:

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.