On the morning of March 7, 2024, National Economics University (NEU), the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and Ernst & Young Vietnam Limited (EY Vietnam) signed a renewal of their Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation to continue joint activities in education, awarding scholarships and enabling students to gain practical experience at businesses while still studying at the University.

A view of the ceremony

Representing ACCA at the signing ceremony were Ren Varma, Head of ACCA Mainland Southeast Asia, and To Quoc Hung, Country Head of ACCA Vietnam. Representing EY Vietnam were Tran Dinh Cuong, Chairman of EY Vietnam, and Nguyen Hoang Linh, Deputy General Director of Audit Services. Representing NEU were Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong, President of NEU; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU; and leadership representatives from departments, faculties, institutes and centers. Leadership representatives from partner organizations and many University students also attended.

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

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong, President of NEU, welcomed partners from ACCA and EY Vietnam who attended the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding and witnessed this important milestone.

Prof. Pham Hong Chuong affirmed that the strong partnership among NEU, ACCA and EY Vietnam over the past 13 years has spanned many areas, including education, scholarship provision and opportunities for students to gain practical experience at businesses while still at university. In particular, the introduction of the ACCA-integrated High-Quality Auditing academic program, offered as a full-time program at the School of Advanced Education Programs and POHE, has opened a new phase of deeper strategic cooperation among the University, the Association and the company. In addition to mastering academic knowledge applicable to various areas of work, NEU students can access and study practical content and learn how to apply it in the workplace. Notably, ACCA and EY Vietnam have helped University students access attractive scholarship opportunities through the “Pathway to Strategic Leadership” program, enabling them to pursue an international professional qualification such as ACCA and secure a pathway to an internship at EY Vietnam, one of the Big Four auditing firms. The President expressed confidence that the Memorandum of Understanding signed that day would not only mark the partners’ journey of cooperation but also open up many new opportunities for cooperation among NEU, ACCA and EY Vietnam in the future.

Ren Varma, Head of ACCA Mainland Southeast Asia, speaks at the ceremony

In his opening remarks, Ren Varma, Head of ACCA Mainland Southeast Asia, expressed his appreciation and gratitude for the cooperation and support of the leadership of NEU and EY Vietnam over the years. Ren Varma affirmed that ACCA’s strategic cooperation with professional associations, Big Four auditing firms, multinational businesses, and universities and academies worldwide and in Vietnam in training accounting and auditing professionals advances the accounting and auditing professions and meets economic development needs.

In particular, cooperation among ACCA, NEU and EY Vietnam has delivered and continues to deliver value, including wider benefits for the community and well-deserved scholarship and career opportunities for successive generations of outstanding students as a reward for their academic efforts. It also demonstrates the shared commitment of ACCA, NEU and EY Vietnam to providing opportunities to develop the accounting, auditing and finance professions in line with international standards, creating opportunities and removing barriers to accessing employment across the region and around the world.

Tran Dinh Cuong, Chairman of EY Vietnam, speaks at the ceremony

Speaking on behalf of EY Vietnam, Tran Dinh Cuong, Chairman of EY Vietnam, thanked NEU for its support for the company over the years. Tran Dinh Cuong noted that EY had officially been present in Vietnam for more than 30 years, a major milestone. EY would therefore offer a wide range of content and activities for employees, partners and students. EY also committed to continuing to improve its scholarship program and offering more engaging and innovative programs for NEU students. Tran Dinh Cuong, Chairman of EY Vietnam, expressed confidence that the strong partnership among EY, ACCA and NEU would help enhance the quality of teaching and learning at the University and equip students with a solid foundation for the future.

Representatives of ACCA, NEU and EY Vietnam sign the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation together

Leadership representatives of ACCA, NEU and EY Vietnam exchange gifts and pose for a commemorative photo

Also at the ceremony, NEU, ACCA and EY Vietnam awarded scholarships under the 2024 “Pathway to Strategic Leadership” program to outstanding University students. To respond to technological changes, a volatile business environment and the aspirations of a youthful and dynamic generation of students, the “Pathway to Strategic Leadership” program has adopted a new format with more fresh and engaging features. The program’s content is not limited to accounting and auditing but provides comprehensive knowledge, skills and opportunities in accounting, auditing, finance and management, motivating the NEU student community and shaping and nurturing young talent to become the strategic leaders of the future. It is hoped that the outstanding students receiving these scholarships will make the most of opportunities to learn and rapidly gain knowledge and practical experience, enabling them to become strategic leaders soon and contribute to the prosperity of the national economy.

Leaders of ACCA, NEU and EY Vietnam award scholarships to students

A representative of the scholarship recipients speaks at the ceremony

Delegates attending the ceremony pose for a commemorative photo.

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.