On the morning of July 31, 2026, the VNUK Institute for Research and Executive Education, the University of Danang, solemnly organized the Graduation Ceremony 2026. VNUK proudly honors the new Bachelor’s and Engineer’s degree holders, recognizing their continuous effort and perseverance throughout their university journey. In this heartwarming and inspiring ceremony, Dr. Nguyen Hiep – Dean of VNUK – delivered a meaningful Graduation Address to instill core values of trustworthiness, kindness and a spirit of service, empowering young graduates to make responsible decisions for their future paths.
Dear faculty members, respected parents, and my dear fresh graduates and engineers!
There are days in our lives that, looking back many years later, we still remember vividly. Not because too many impressive events took place on that day, but because that day changed our lives forever. Today is such a day.
Today, in this both solemn and heartwarming atmosphere, we are witnessing the moment when young individuals officially step through a new door to become global citizens, engineers, managers, scientists, future entrepreneurs and above all, human beings who carry the responsibility to create a better society.
On behalf of the faculty, staff and workers of the VNUK Institute for Research and Executive Education, the University of Danang, I would like to extend my warmest greetings to our distinguished guests. To all parents, I express my deepest gratitude. And especially, congratulations to all of you: The new bachelors and engineers of VNUK. Today is your day!
Dear students!
There is a famous quote by futurist Alvin Toffler that I have always held dear:
“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”
We are living in that exact era. An era where artificial intelligence is rewriting how humans learn. An era where digital transformation is rewriting how businesses operate. An era where green transition is rewriting the development model of the whole world. And an era where careers that do not exist today will become the most important ones in just a few years. In such a world, a university degree is no longer a destination, but your first commitment to your own life that: I will never stop learning.
Today’s achievement was created not only by your efforts to earn completed credits or achieve high exam scores. What is most worthy of pride is that you did not give up. Along with the excitement when first stepping through the gates of VNUK, you brought your own personal worries and thoughts. Some of you once failed in a few competitions and doubted yourselves. Some went through family ups and downs. Some even thought they would not be able to stand here today. But today, all of you are sitting in this auditorium, looking confidently toward the future. That reminds us of a very beautiful truth: Not everyone moves at the same speed, but anyone can go very far if they do not give up. You have every right to be proud of yourselves today. Teachers and parents here are also immensely proud of you for that.
Dear students,
If there are things that VNUK always desires to impart to students, it is not merely the knowledge associated with the name of a degree. Knowledge will change. Technology will change. Professions will change too. But there are values that never become obsolete. Those are honesty; a spirit of service; collaboration skills; kindness; empathy; and the aspiration to create value for others. Because ultimately, what the world needs is not just talented people. The world needs people who are both talented and trustworthy. In any field, competence may grant you opportunities. But it is trustworthiness that helps you earn greater responsibilities. Throughout these academic years, VNUK has always strived to build an environment where you can mature in this way. Because we believe that: University is not a place that provides answers. University is a place that helps young people ask the big questions for their lives. At VNUK, you learn and communicate in English; learn alongside faculty members with diverse cultural backgrounds; gain early industry exposure; conduct research; face startup challenges; fail and start over. You grow up through your very own experiences right here.
Today, many ask: In the age of AI, what advantage do humans still hold? I believe the greatest human advantage has never been about memorizing more information than machines. It lies in the capacity to create, to love, to empathize, to inspire and to make responsible decisions. That is something no algorithm can ever replace. Beyond a degree, these capabilities have taken firm root and are growing day by day alongside your experiences at VNUK.
Dear students,
Today is also the best occasion for you and me to express our deepest gratitude to the Board of Directors and functional units under the University of Danang. Together, we take pride in the University of Danang with nearly half a century of building and development. An academic ecosystem undergoing a strong transformation toward new standards of Vietnamese and international higher education. A university nurturing the ambition to become a key National University in the near future. This is not just a change of title. It is a larger commitment. A greater responsibility. A higher academic standard. And VNUK is proud to accompany that journey.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Ministry of Education and Training; leaders of Da Nang City, local departments and agencies; member universities and affiliated training units; enterprises; international partners; social organizations – All of whom have contributed to creating a wonderful ecosystem for VNUK students to learn, practice and mature.
Thank you to the teachers, visiting lecturers, staff and workers – those who quietly work every day to make VNUK a place worth coming to and worth being proud of.
Deepest gratitude to the parents who chose VNUK as a companion. Today may be the first time you wear graduation gowns. But your parents have “graduated” many times before. Graduated from sleepless nights. From moments of anxiety. From frugal savings. From quiet sacrifices. So that today, they can see their children standing firm and confident on stage. This is not only your success. This is also the success of an entire family.
Dear students,
A new journey lies ahead of you, and a new journey lies ahead of VNUK as well. VNUK is preparing for a new campus. But what we are building is not just new buildings. We are building a new generation of VNUK: a VNUK more deeply connected with industry, stronger in research, pioneering in innovation, more international in training, and more humanistic in education. A VNUK capable of accompanying the development aspirations of the University of Danang in the new phase, contributing to making Da Nang a regional hub for innovation, science, technology and education.
I believe that one day, some of you will return here as master’s students or doctoral researchers. Some will be entrepreneurs or investors. Some will be lecturers or scientists. Some will recruit the next generations of VNUK students. Some will become strategic partners of VNUK. And one day, one of you will stand in the position where I am standing today, inspiring another young generation. If that day comes, I hope you smile and say with pride: “I grew up from VNUK.” That will be the greatest gift for us.
Go far, my students. But never forget where you started. Be successful. But never lose your kindness. Become leaders. But always remain good listeners.
And wherever you are, in whatever role, always remember that behind you lies a home called VNUK, a community called the University of Danang, always proud, always watching over you and always ready to walk beside you.
Once again, congratulations to all new bachelors and engineers.
May you always have enough wisdom to guide the way, enough courage to overcome challenges, and enough compassion to make this world a better place.
Thank you very much!
Dr. Nguyen Hiep
Dean of VN-UK Institute for Research and Executive Education, the University of Danang
