Valedictorian of Class 27 in Graphic Design: Pursuing Sustainable Development in Creative Design

During the Commencement ceremony on the afternoon of August 17, 2025, Ngo Hoang Dung, Valedictorian of Class 27 majoring in Graphic Design, Honors Program, delivered a powerful message: Van Lang University's Arts students yearn for worldwide connection and pursue sustainable development in creative design.

Good afternoon distinguished guests, professors, teachers, parents, and fellow students, joining us at Van Lang University Graduation Commencement 2025. 

My name is Ngô Hoàng Dũng, Valedictorian of Class 27, Graphic Design Major, Honors Program, Van Lang University. Standing here, I am more than just elated and grateful to represent all the Bachelors from The Faculties of Architecture, Arts & Design, Music, Theatre & Film, and all the Masters to celebrate today's Graduation Commencement.

First of all, in this special moment, I would like to hit pause on our adult life and look back at the past, our four years at Van Lang University.

Four years may be short in a lifetime, but they mark an extraordinary turning point. Especially for Class 27, our journey began in the midst of a global COVID-19 pandemic. Online classes with ongoing technical issues, being locked into our rooms, or even experiencing loss or grief in some ways over the last few years.

While every student in normal times was stressing over their test scores, we had to pass even a thousand more COVID tests. Yet, through courage and resilience, we overcame the pandemic, recovered, and grew stronger. And today, we stand here in the joy of our loved ones, proud to graduate.

In recent years, Van Lang University has risen onto the global education map: ranked among the Top 1001–1200 universities worldwide on the QS World University Rankings 2026 and Top 601 - 800 for its positive impact on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. As a Graphic Design major, I am even prouder to know that VLU is the only university in Vietnam with two subject areas ranked among the world’s best in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025: Performing Arts in the Top 51–100 and Art & Design in the Top 101–150 worldwide.

These massive recognitions are the result of over 30 years of dedication and improvement from our teachers and staff. They have opened doors for Van Lang students to connect with the world, embrace sustainable development, and unleash creativity. Thanks to the Faculty of Arts and Design and the Honors Program on Global Citizen Development, I was given the chance to join international study trips and workshops in multiple countries such as Malaysia, Korea, Australia. These journeys broadened my perspectives on contemporary design, forward-thinking creativity.

It reminded us that to stay relevant, we must constantly renew our knowledge and refine our taste, keeping pace with the modern trends that shape the world. More importantly, we witnessed the powerful rise of Artificial Intelligence and understood the urgent need to equip ourselves with the skills and resilience to thrive in an ever-changing era.

From my four-year journey, I’ve learned that life is both an artwork you shape and one you cannot control. You will lose, but you will also gain. The most important lesson is to always believe in yourself and stay resilient. Như một người thầy đã từng nói với em: As my dear teacher used to teach me: “Weak people focus on their insecurities, arrogant people focus on others' weaknesses, strong people focus on their strengths.”

To achieve global sustainable development, serve society, leave meaningful values, and make a lasting impact on the community, you must first believe in yourself and commit to your own personal growth because it is you who matters, and it is your impacts that matter.

And for my final words, I would like to say thank you to all my dear teachers and staff from Van Lang University’s Arts & Design Faculty. Thank you for delivering inspiring and valuable lessons, helping us in our growth as designers.

Thank you, Honors Program, for making our learning even more special with a variety of international experiences, allowing me to explore opportunities I never imagined possible. I would like to give my sincere thanks to all of my classmates in the Graphic Design, Honors Program class.

No matter where you are right now, I know that we are talented and we will succeed one day. So please stay strong and believe in yourself.

And finally, my sincere and biggest thanks to my family in Vietnamese. Con cảm ơn cha mẹ, đã luôn đồng hành cùng con, chịu nhiều vất vả để con được lớn khôn và giỏi giang. Cảm ơn cha vì đã luôn mạnh mẽ trước khó khăn, luôn răn dạy những điều hay để con vững bước. Cảm ơn mẹ vì đã luôn lắng nghe con, thấu hiểu và động viên con mỗi khi con gục ngã. Em cảm ơn anh hai, và anh ba vì luôn ưu tiên những điều tốt nhất cho đứa em của mình. 

Con nhận ra rằng, dường như con rất ít khi gửi lời cảm ơn đến gia đình. Nên nhân dịp này, con xin phép được nghiêng mình cảm ơn ba mẹ, và các anh vì đã và luôn là gia đình của con. Em xin cảm ơn đại gia đình Văn Lang, vì đã cho em được sống đời sinh viên đẹp nhất, ý nghĩa nhất. 

NGO HOANG DUNG
Valedictorian of Class 27
Graphic Design (Honors Program)