Ceremony to announce the appointment of the Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam presented the appointment decision for the new Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi to Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Kim Son.

On the partner side, domestic and international guests included: Mr. Ted Osius - US Ambassador; Ms. Jehanne ROCCAS - Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium; Mr. Manopchai Vongphakdi - Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand; Mr. Thongsavanh Phomvihane - Ambassador of the Lao People's Democratic Republic; Mr. Huang Chih-Pang - Chief Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office; Ms. Nantana Gajaseni - Executive Director of the Southeast Asian University Network; along with Deputy Ambassadors, Counselors, and First Secretaries of Embassies of the following countries: the Russian Federation, the Federal Republic of Germany, the European Union Delegation, the Embassies of Canada, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the Royal Norwegian Embassy, ​​Japan, South Korea, China, the Philippines, Azerbaijan; leaders of corporations, businesses, academies, institutes, and universities…

Representing Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) were members of the Board of Directors, former VNU leaders from various periods, representatives of functional departments, leaders of member universities, affiliated faculties, centers, research institutes, the Association of Retired Faculty Members, and other VNU organizations.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam praised the significant contributions of Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) to the training and development of high-quality human resources over the past period.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam delivered a congratulatory speech to the new Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Nguyen Kim Son.

The Deputy Prime Minister congratulated former Director Phung Xuan Nha on being entrusted by the Party and State with the important responsibility of leading the education and training sector. He also congratulated and officially assigned the task to the new Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Nguyen Kim Son, along with the leadership, staff, teachers, and scientists of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, to strengthen unity, uphold the fine traditions and achievements of the past, and work together to successfully achieve the set goals, leading Vietnam National University, Hanoi to develop in accordance with the trust and expectations of the Party, Government, and people.

The Deputy Prime Minister stated that for Vietnam to escape the middle-income trap, it is essential to strengthen the country's scientific and technological potential. To achieve this, the country's innovation model must be reformed. "We must strengthen the research capacity of universities. There are many indicators to evaluate this, but one of them is the number of publications in international ISI and Scopus journals," the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, Vietnam National University, Hanoi is proud to be a leader in international publications, but "Vietnam National University, Hanoi has already been a leader, so it must continue to lead faster and stronger," the Deputy Prime Minister instructed.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) has taken the right steps in the quality accreditation of teaching and learning in its schools, and has introduced new examination methods that contribute to fundamental educational reform to train human resources for national development. "How can we ensure that these efforts are not limited to VNU but spread throughout the entire system like a nucleus?" the Deputy Prime Minister instructed.

The Deputy Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam National University, Hanoi has extensive experience in autonomous governance mechanisms, but this mechanism must be maximized in its affiliated schools, institutes, and units. The Deputy Prime Minister also stated, “We must both integrate and compete. Therefore, we are pleased that Vietnam National University, Hanoi has risen in international rankings, but we cannot be complacent with being in the top 20 ASEAN. And to change this requires the efforts of each of us,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Education and Training and former Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU), Phung Xuan Nha, shared that VNU, with its special position, has gradually built and developed its reputation and brand after more than 20 years of construction and development. Overcoming many difficulties and challenges, VNU has demonstrated the vibrant vitality of a new, intellectual university model, gradually promoting the effectiveness of an advanced university governance model, developing with the philosophy of "Reaching the pinnacle based on knowledge".

Minister of Education and Training, former Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Phung Xuan Nhadelivering a congratulatory speech at the ceremony.

The former Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, expressed confidence that, with his capabilities, experience, leadership skills, deep understanding of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and high reputation in both science and leadership and management, the new Director, Nguyen Kim Son, will work together with the leadership team, staff, and students of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, to successfully implement the Vietnam National University, Hanoi Development Strategy to 2020, with a vision to 2030, so that Vietnam National University, Hanoi will continue to develop in accordance with the expectations of the Party, the State, and the people.

The Minister requested that, in the coming period, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) should closely adhere to the Resolution of the 5th Party Congress of VNU, especially focusing on two breakthroughs: developing a team of highly qualified scientific staff; and accelerating the construction of VNU in Hoa Lac to create momentum for VNU to develop into a research university.

In his inaugural address, Director Nguyen Kim Son emphasized the particularly important position of Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) in the reform of higher education in Vietnam. VNU's responsibility is to be a pioneer in innovation, a leading force in the development of Vietnamese education, and to make positive contributions to human resource training and research within the ASEAN community and worldwide.

Director Nguyen Kim Son affirmed that the most important issue for Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) at this time is to persevere in its development direction, philosophy, and development goals. “VNU needs to do everything and take every measure to ensure that all aspects of its operations, from scientific research, the research and teaching capacity of its staff, the quality of training, the competence and employability of its students, internal governance, and international cooperation… all meet and exceed the standards and criteria of the Association of Southeast Asian Universities (AUN). We need to do everything possible to ensure that our students are trained to have the best capabilities and can become global citizens, working effectively in an international environment,” VNU Director Nguyen Kim Son stated.

Taking on the responsibility of leading the country's largest university-level training and research center, and continuing the journey to make Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) a high-quality university in the region and the world, Director Nguyen Kim Son stated that, although many challenges and difficulties lie ahead, with the attention and guidance of the Party, State, Government, and Prime Minister; the effective support and assistance of ministries, sectors, and localities; the companionship of domestic and international partners; and especially with its rich tradition of over a century, with the intellect, dedication, and unity of the collective of scientists, teachers, and students, VNU has a solid foundation to believe in and be determined to develop towards standardization, modernization, and international integration, on par with advanced research universities in the world, and to make a positive contribution to the sustainable development of the country.

"We not only train students to develop themselves, to live in harmony with the community, and to work to the best of ASEAN and international professional standards, but also to possess the qualities of intellectuals in the new era: responsibility, dedication, concern, and the ability to shoulder the great responsibilities of the country," emphasized the new Director Nguyen Kim Son.