The meaningful university journey of the Class 27’s Valedictorian in Literature

On August 16, 2025, at the Commencement of Class 27, Van Lang University (VLU), Ms. To Tieu Ngoc, Valedictorian in Literature, shared her personal journey of study and growth. In her address, she emphasized the humanistic values of the Faculties of Social Sciences and Humanities as well as the spirit of “Morality – Will – Creativity” that defines VLU students.

Dear faculty members, parents, Masters, and fellow graduates, 
My name is To Tieu Ngoc, Valedictorian in Literature – Class 27. It is a profound honor for me to stand in front of you today and share my reflections at this commencement, particularly as it also marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Van Lang University.

Looking back four years ago, Class 27 began our academic journey in a way unlike any other. Our very first classes were conducted through computer screens; many of us did not meet our peers and lecturers in person until more than a semester later. From the very start of that first online academic year, I witnessed not only the dedication of students who wholeheartedly looked toward Van Lang University but also the tireless efforts of our lecturers and staff.

Paradoxically, the difficulties of that beginning strengthened our bond with this university. What we first encountered was not infrastructure, spacious classrooms, or the grand Trinh Cong Son Hall, but rather the commitment, sincerity, and determination to connect between lecturers and learners alike. We saw our lecturers navigating MS Teams with perseverance, teaching assistants and staff providing continuous support, and everyone working together to ensure the integrity of each class session.

We, in turn, learned self-discipline in our studies: collaborating academically with classmates we had never met in person, conducting long video calls in place of in-person meetings at the library or cafés, and adapting to a new mode of learning. Together, we overcame that extraordinary period and can now proudly celebrate this graduation day.

When we eventually returned to campus after the pandemic, what surprised me most was not VLU’s increasingly modern facilities, but the modest size of our Literature major. Officially, our class consisted of only 18 members. While small in number, reflecting the broader reality of the Faculties of Social Sciences and Humanities enrollment, we have proven ourselves to be a unique community, accomplishing many significant things together.

Our lecturers have not only been dedicated experts in their fields but also mentors who have broadened our perspectives on literature and its real-world applications, as well as the vital role of the Social Sciences and Humanities in communities and beyond. At a time when many fear being replaced by artificial intelligence, VLU’s academic environment has empowered us to envision ourselves as guides – individuals attuned to the humanistic needs of society.

My personal university journey was enriched far beyond my major. As a collaborator with the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities’ Communication Office, I was able to meet talented, kind-hearted students across disciplines. Serving on the Executive Board of the Literature Club gave me opportunities to organize academic and skill-based events, engage with prominent professionals across fields, and inspire my peers about future career pathways.

Most importantly, my internship at a professional media and journalism organization allowed me to learn from dedicated mentors, highly skilled colleagues, and ambitious fellow interns. These invaluable experiences were opportunities I feel deeply fortunate to have had during my four years at VLU.

None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of families, friends, and loved ones. We, the graduates of Class 27, owe our deepest gratitude to our lecturers for their dedicated guidance and to our families and friends for their unconditional encouragement. Today, our pride in receiving our degrees is magnified by the joy of seeing pride reflected in the eyes of our parents, our teachers, and our loved ones.

Dear fellow graduates, regardless of our majors, the one thing that truly defines us is ourselves. Yet, the journey of self-completion is never walked alone. Each of us has contributed to someone else’s path toward growth, and our own journeys are likewise imprinted with the footprints of many others.

Our futures will diverge in countless directions, but I hope we will always be proud of our roots in the Faculties of Social Sciences and Humanities. The core values of Van Lang University, Morality – Will – Creativity, are sacred humanistic principles. As new graduates, we shall carry them forward, adapting and contributing meaningfully to the world ahead.

Dear friends, congratulations to us all for completing this journey!

TO TIEU NGOC
Valedictorian of Class 27
Literature