Nguyen Thi Ngoc Lan is one of the 27 valedictorians in the second graduating class of 2024 at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU-USSH). The female student from Quang Ninh is a student majoring in European Studies, International Studies, Faculty of International Studies.
Ngoc Lan on her university graduation day in early July 2024. Photo: NVCC
Sharing with reporters from the Vietnamese Student Page, Tien Phong newspaper, Ngoc Lan said: "I feel very happy, honored and proud when my parents went on stage with me to receive my bachelor's degree and were honored by the school at the graduation ceremony."
Lan and her father were honored to receive flowers of gratitude and graduation certificates from Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan - Principal (right cover) and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Thi Thu Huong - Vice Principal of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (left cover).
During her university years, thanks to the encouragement of lecturers and the environment that promoted scientific research, the girl born in 2002 soon participated in this activity. Lan won first prize (2023) and second prize (2021) at the school level in the student scientific research competition.
Previously, Lan's thesis "UK's 'Global Britain' Strategy (2016-2022)", guided by Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Hong Hanh, was selected as a key student scientific research topic of VNU-USSH for the 2022-2023 academic year and was evaluated as excellent after the acceptance process.
Throughout her studies, Lan always tried to attend classes regularly, listen and quickly take notes of interesting and novel points of view from lecturers. Studying social sciences, Lan paid special attention to the sharing of experiences and knowledge from lecturers, to apply to difficult questions or find ideas for her final essay.
Lan was the deputy class monitor of the K65 International Studies class (standard system) and received many academic encouragement scholarships. She is a 5-good student at the city level, a typical young face at the grassroots level and twice received a certificate of merit from the Principal of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities for being the student with the highest academic score in the course.
The space holds many memories of the beautiful valedictorian at VNU-USSH.Photo: NVCC
The female student believes that whether it is a general or specialized subject at university, there are certain connections. The knowledge of one subject can be used to memorize, relate or provide a multi-dimensional perspective for the content of another subject. Therefore, creating connections between subjects helps female students review more effectively each exam season.
Lan confided that, like many other VNU-USSH students, she also struggled with the extensive knowledge in general subjects and was nervous every time she waited for her exam results. As for specialized subjects, Introduction to International Relations and Foreign Affairs were two subjects that left a strong impression.
According to Lan, Introduction to International Relations is known as a specialized subject with many abstract theories, but through the way the lecturer teaches with many vivid examples and closely follows the world's current events, she and her classmates find the subject much easier to understand.
In the Foreign Affairs course, Lan had the opportunity to better understand foreign affairs protocols and diplomatic activities that she had previously only seen on TV. This course also taught young people like Lan discipline and a high sense of responsibility at work.
In her fourth year, Lan chose the European Studies major because she wanted to understand more about the old continent, and was also attracted by the lively and cozy Christmas activities reserved for students of the major. Therefore, she chose and successfully defended her graduation thesis topic on Vietnam - UK relations.
Lan (bottom row, second from right) with lecturers and classmates at the European Studies department on the day of her graduation thesis defense, May 2024. Photo: NVCC
As a student majoring in European Studies, Lan’s area of interest and focus is on European countries and EU members. The subjects in the major have helped her gain more knowledge about the political, economic, historical and cultural characteristics of the above countries.
Lan is the author of the article “The UK’s ‘Global Britain’ Strategy and Its Impact on the Indo-Pacific Region (2016-2022)” published in the journal European Studies and the article “UK Cultural and Creative Industries Development Policy” published in the Communist Review.
Along with the academic field, Lan is a member of the project team that won the Best Project for Incubation award at the Final Round of the Youth Innovation Competition on Lancang-Mekong Region's Governance 2023 (YICMG 2023) held at Qinghai University, China.
Taking advantage of her knowledge and foreign language and communication skills as a student majoring in International Studies, Lan was a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the VNU-USSH Student Association, working in the Communications - Foreign Affairs Committee for a number of student projects and non-governmental organizations.
“After four years of youth, I feel confident because I have had access to new knowledge, broadened my perspective and had the opportunity to develop myself in both academics and social skills.”, Lan affirmed.
Vietnam Student Newspaper: The female valedictorian is the author of a key student scientific research topic.
