The VNUHCM 2023 Opening Ceremony took place with solemnity in the Tran Chi Dao Hall at VNUHCM Headquarters on the afternoon of November 16. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended as a distinguished guest speaker for the occasion.
Addressing the ceremony, Prime Minister Chinh emphasized the longstanding tradition of the VNUHCM Opening Ceremony—an annual event signaling the start of a new academic year. He highlighted its crucial role in instilling pride, fostering a sense of responsibility among VNUHCM students, and preparing them for the challenges of the upcoming academic year.
In his speech titled “Higher education and its role in creating a driving force for rapid and sustainable growth in the country in the new period,” the Prime Minister underscored the pivotal role of higher education in developing human resources, particularly high-quality human resources crucial for a country’s prosperity.
According to the Prime Minister, the nation’s foundation is built on three main pillars: establishing a socialist state governed by law, fostering socialist democracy, and creating a socialist-oriented market economy. Human beings are integral to these pillars, serving as the heart, subject, driving force, resource, and goal for development.
“Education and training, especially in higher education, play a crucial role in advancing development, contributing to the enhancement of people’s knowledge. Significantly, they serve as hubs for providing highly qualified human resources and nurturing talents that meet the demands of socio-economic development,” stated the Prime Minister.
He acknowledged that in the era of digital transformation and the fourth industrial revolution, higher education is evolving dynamically. The integration of achievements in artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and online education creates a more interactive learning environment, fostering creative thinking and increasing learners’ autonomy.
While acknowledging the advantages and opportunities, the Prime Minister recognized the disadvantages and challenges of the new era. Higher education, he noted, must increasingly emphasize creative thinking, skills development, proactiveness, and the creation of interactive learning environments. The imparting of knowledge should align with the development of creative and critical thinking, communication skills, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities.
Prime Minister Chinh emphasized VNUHCM’s vision for the new period: striving to become a leading research university network in Asia, a hub where talents converge, and world knowledge along with Vietnamese culture are disseminated. VNUHCM is entrusted with the mission of cultivating talents with comprehensive knowledge, social responsibilities, leadership capabilities, and entrepreneurial thinking. Additionally, the university is committed to researching, developing, and applying science, technology, and innovation to address national, regional, and global challenges. VNUHCM also aims to pilot new policies in higher education and contribute to sustainable economic development, societal progress, and the enrichment of global human knowledge and Vietnamese culture.
On behalf of Party and State leaders, the Prime Minister expressed high appreciation for the efforts and positive outcomes achieved by generations of leaders, scientists, lecturers, employees, and students at all academic levels of VNUHCM throughout its 28-year journey of construction and development. During this period, VNUHCM has successfully fulfilled its mission as a leader and core institution within the country’s higher education system.
“I hope that VNUHCM will consistently uphold its status as the flagship of Vietnam’s higher education system, striving for continuous innovation and breakthrough developments. May the university play a crucial role in contributing significantly to the ongoing process of national construction and development,” stated Prime Minister Chinh.
