Dear Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyễn Ngọc Vũ, Director of University of Danang,

Dear Associate Professor, Dr. Lê Quang Sơn, Vice Director of University of Danang,

Dear distinguished representatives from the departments and agencies of Da Nang city,

Dear respected teachers from the high schools in Da Nang and from the member institutions and affiliates of University of Danang,

Dear valued business partners of VNUK,

Dear parents and beloved students,

Today marks an important day for the new academic year of the students at the VN-UK Institute For Research and Executive Education (VNUK). On behalf of all faculty and staff of the Institute, I would like to warmly welcome and express my gratitude for your presence today, as we join together in celebrating the beginning of a new academic year, full of faith and determination. I would like to extend my thanks to the Board of Directors of University of Danang; and to the organizations, agencies, and businesses in the city that have always trusted and supported VNUK in the process of building and developing the Vietnam – UK International University.

Image 1. Overview of the VNUK Opening Ceremony for the 2023-2024 Academic Year

Dear distinguished guests, respected teachers, valued parents, and beloved students,

Today marks the 9th Opening Ceremony of the VN-UK Institute For Research and Executive Education (VNUK). We have witnessed the students from the first five cohorts of our university successfully complete their academic programs or graduate from VNUK. Although the number of students is still modest, with the dedicated attention to small activities and experiences for students, the constant efforts for improvement from the faculty and staff, and most importantly, the determination and hard work of the students themselves, we are incredibly proud to see you grow and be ready for a promising future ahead. After eight years, we continue to devote our time and effort to relentlessly building this dream university. It is an institution that strives to meet international education standards right here in the Central region. It is a university that serves as an inspiring bridge, taking you to the world, giving you access to opportunities, and leading you to experiences that will make you proud of the achievements that only students who study abroad would be able to attain.

Image 2. Dr. Nguyễn Thị Mỹ Hương – Dean of VNUK delivering a speech at the Opening Ceremony

Dear new students,

Last week, you participated in many activities during the orientation week for new students. The leadership team of the Institute, along with all the teachers, staff, and specialists, dedicated a lot of time during the summer to prepare for the welcome of the 263 new students this year. I am confident that through these activities, you have gained an understanding of the importance of connection, of mental well-being, and of soft skills.

Over the past 2-3 years, we have all witnessed the tremendous changes in the world: COVID-19, Artificial Intelligence, Climate Change – these are developments that have arrived quickly and unpredictably. It is because of these changes that each one of us in this auditorium today, including myself, has had to adapt significantly in the way we live and work, so that we don’t become an unnecessary part of society or someone who falls behind in the race toward the future. When you come to VNUK, it is our mission to ensure that, together, we prepare well so that no one is left behind—quite literally—in the job market.

Image 3. Outstanding VNUK Students Receiving Scholarships at the Opening Ceremony

Perhaps somewhere, I have already met many of you, the new students here. Today, on such an important day for all of you, I would like to share a few words:

You, the new students, must be very excited because, from now on, you are no longer high school students. You have become independent, mature individuals. You no longer need to hear repeated reminders from your parents. You don’t need to carry your books to attend extra classes to get the grades you want. You no longer have to memorize the content of textbooks and other things that you don’t find interesting anymore… You have stepped into university with a bright future ahead! Is that right?

However, I must share with you this truth:

The life of university students for the next 4-5 years is not at all as you may have imagined (you can ask the students sitting on the second floor, the ones who will soon receive valuable scholarships). You will have many sleepless nights, you will have to work in groups with people who may not be compatible with you, you will have to read a lot and write long essays according to the course requirements. You will also step into the job market and compete with IELTS bands you never thought possible. The life ahead in university will be a true challenge.

Apart from the joyful and easy university years you may have envisioned, you will certainly dream of becoming successful entrepreneurs, becoming business owners, and being recruited by multinational corporations.

However, I must honestly share with you again: in order to be accepted by large companies after graduation or to become leaders, to be the owners of the businesses you have founded, you must work hard every day to prepare for so many things. START TODAY!

I hope you don’t look at how most students in Vietnam are currently studying in universities. They are content with “passing” their courses, with not having any foreign language skills, and with the little experience they have accumulated when they graduate. They eagerly embrace the “work-life balance” trend, even though they haven’t “worked” yet. Instead, you should look at how top students in Vietnam or students studying at prestigious universities in developed countries are learning and training. They also struggle to find a position in one of the companies they dream of, and they fight to secure even the most basic job security when they graduate. Do not think that you only have to compete with students from Da Nang. In reality, you have to compete with more than 500,000 students in Vietnam who entered universities in 2023. You will compete with students from previous and subsequent years, and you will also compete with workers from other countries in the region and around the world. And perhaps the most significant competition is… you will have to compete with AI. (Many of you might think, “Wow, the pressure’s already this high at the start of the academic year!”)

But this is the truth that we cannot and should not avoid, my dear students. The important message I have for you today is that you must study and work really hard to find your place in the labor market in the future. It’s as simple as that. I’m not saying that you will be successful in the labor market, but I do hope you will take your future seriously during your years of study at VNUK. As Jensen Huang – the CEO and founder of NVIDIA, one of the top 5 semiconductor companies in the US – shared: “Suffering and hardship are necessary to realize your dreams.” I completely agree with his message, and I want to add that you must not only study hard but also RUN, DON’T WALK, so that you won’t fall behind too quickly, in the most literal sense of the phrase!

Image 4. VNUK Students Posing with Faculty at the Opening Ceremony

However, there is no need to worry too much, because at VNUK, we have developed a small but quite comprehensive educational ecosystem, always ready to support you in your studies. You will have many recreational activities and mental health support, so although your time studying here may be difficult, it will certainly be a time worth remembering. And one important thing you must never forget, my dear students: SEEK HELP! Whether it’s from family, friends, teachers, the Institute, or anyone you feel comfortable asking for help. And of course, here you are: VNUK is your home!

Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Board of Directors of the University of Danang, the departments, and member universities, the local government agencies, our international partner universities, professional organizations from the UK such as ACCA, CMI, CIM, the British Council Vietnam, the British Chamber of Commerce in Ho Chi Minh City, and the corporate partners who have always supported us with their whole hearts for the values we bring to our students. I also want to thank all the dedicated and responsible faculty members of VNUK.

Image 5. VNUK Staff, Faculty, and Specialists at the Opening Ceremony

I wish all distinguished guests and parents good health and success. I wish all students lots of energy and enthusiasm in the journey ahead.

Thank you very much!