The valedictorian graduating in 2023 of Van Lang University: Creativity - a lodestar for young people

On August 19, 2023, Van Lang University held a Commencement for over 800 bachelors majoring in Business Administration of Standard Program and Honors Program.

In 2023, Van Lang University welcomes more than 800 new bachelors majoring in Business Administration. This is the major with the largest number of students at Van Lang University for many years in a row. Students in this major actively participate in activities, and startup idea competitions, and are representatives of dynamic youth, thinking, working without hesitation, not afraid of change and being creative to bring many effective solutions to economic and social problems in general.

Winning the 3rd prize in the “Ra Khoi 2020” startup competition and being the Founder of the Honors program’s student project Sustainable Footprint, a service learning project at the EVG community library - Tra Vinh In 2022, the new valedictorian of the Faculty of Business Administration of the Honors Program Vo Nguyen Cam Thanh represents the young generation of the Q family, sharing about the creative and "100% quality" life journey of the Business Administration student community.

“My name is Vo Nguyen Cam Thanh, a valedictorian who graduated from Course 25, majoring in Business Administration, Honors Program. Today, I am honored to be a representative to make the speech at the Commencement this afternoon.

Dear new Bachelors,

Surely, you will agree with me that four years of college fly by. We were still puzzled by the orientation of choosing a career one day, then suddenly stepped into a strange environment, but quickly became acquainted with the name Van Lang University. 
We are now in the midst of our Commencement. This is a significant milestone in our journey to conquer our dreams and careers, which we have been and will continue to pursue. 

4 years ago, I knew that I was very interested in doing business, operating, and managing an organization. I have decided to study Business Administration with a career goal of managing a business in the future.

Somewhere recently, we heard on social networks about majors’ prejudiced content that Business Administration is for those who don't know what major to study, that it's hard to find a good job in this field after graduation…

Prejudice can be many. But as we sit here, in our graduation gown, we all know one thing for certain: Business Administration students must first be able to manage their own lives. The good values of Business Administration prepare every student's future, and we have all benefited from them over the last four years.

The valuable knowledge University equips future administrators is professional knowledge, self-study ability, creative thinking, entrepreneurship, soft skills, and leadership skills. I hope that each Bachelor of Business Administration will use the most appropriate knowledge to walk smoothly on the career path they choose.

Creative thinking, in my opinion, is the key to unlocking potential doors. Since studying at Van Lang lecture hall, I have memorized the University's core values: MORALITY - WILL - CREATIVITY. 

I used to believe that CREATIVITY was only possessed by those who worked in the art-communications industry. Every day, as I am taught to become more mature by lecturers, I realize that creative thinking is an important factor in any field, and it is very close to the entrepreneurial spirit, the spirit of future leaders. Creativity is an important quality that Van Lang University encourages all students to develop to create innovation, breakthroughs, and a better life.

With the desire to start a business, I discovered meaningful things during my four years at Van Lang. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Ms. Nguyen Quynh Mai, Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration, and the faculty lecturers who have created numerous beneficial academic playgrounds and competitions for students' career paths. Especially the "Ra Khoi" startup competition.

"Ra Khoi" is one of the beautiful memories and a significant milestone in my student life. I and three friends participated and won third place in the final of Ra Khoi first season in 2020 with a project called Household Products from Coffee Grounds. 

The competition was held during a particularly stressful period of the COVID-19 epidemic, when the entire city was locked down, and the competition rounds were mostly conducted online. My friends and I regret not having moments of holding hands while waiting for the results to be announced, as well as not having a grand poster show like those following seasons. However, thanks to the lecturers' and associated businesses' efforts and enthusiasm, all candidates can fully experience the thrill, emotion, and joy through the rounds.

The joy continued when my team received information from the School's Startup Incubator Center that sent this project to participate in the Competition "Students with startup ideas” (SV_STARTUP) in 2021 organized by the Ministry of Education and Training.

Stepping out from many competitions, I have accumulated a lot of knowledge, practical skills, and more passion for entrepreneurship and business. In particular, I have found great teammates to accompany me throughout my college years and even in life.

Van Lang University's experiential learning method is fantastic. As I am enrolled in the Honors Program, I have more opportunities for hands-on experience through projects and practical activities. 

I was able to contribute to organizing a community service program at EVG Tra Vinh Library, International Service-Learning activities connecting with Singaporean students to implement many community projects, Social Project Generator+ 2022 program for learning exchanges with students from the Singapore Institute of Technical Education.
During my four years at university, I was able to nurture and improve my creativity and leadership skills through practical educational experiences. I think that I am also following the CREATIVITY values ​​that Van Lang University always cherishes.

On the way ahead, I hope all the Bachelor of Business Administration standing here will continue their journey of self-development to become the best version of themselves and to become future leaders in the field that you are pursuing. The values ​​that we create will help the family and contribute to the development of society.

On behalf of the new Bachelors, I would like to thank the University's leadership, as well as the lecturers of the Faculty of Business Administration, for their dedication and ongoing efforts to improve the program to provide the most practical values to future generations of students.

To get to where I am today, I'd like to speak on behalf of the future managers here to express our heartfelt gratitude to the "angel investors" - dear parents and family. 

I'd like to express my gratitude to my parents and family for always accompanying, trusting, supporting, and loving us unconditionally. I pray that you always live a happy and healthy life to see and take pride in the success of our investment projects in work and life. We adore our Mother and Father.

Dear new Bachelors,

I hope you will always be confident, achieve a lot of success, live, work, and be happy on the journey ahead.

We are always proud to be a member of Van Lang and definitely will make Van Lang proud of us.

Vo Nguyen Cam Thanh
Course 25 Valedictorian, majoring in Business Administration, Honors Program

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CREATIVITY is one of the characteristics of Van Lang students. We are proud to many times amaze fashionistas fans because of the elaborate projects of design students; We are proud that for many years in a row, lecturers and students of the Architecture - Fine Arts majors have made the name Van Lang a formidable opponent in the eyes of friends from universities across the country in general; We are proud that Van Lang's creative spirit in the field of technology has successfully reached out at a global scale; And even the smallest things like every class session, every way of thinking, everyday life, we are still proud when Van Lang people are always encouraged, provided opportunities and guided to be creative, continually expressing and developing the right field of passion, bringing value to themselves, family, school and society.

 Valedictorian Doan Thien Quang – Course 24 in Thermal Engineering

• Cumulative GPA: 3.6
• Degree Classification: Excellent
• The entrance valedictorian in Thermal Engineering at Van Lang University in 2018
• Achieved a scholarship for 7 consecutive semesters
• Panasonic Aircon Scholarship (PACS) for the academic year 2020 - 2021
• Winner of Panasonic's "Comprehensive Air Solution Design" competition in 2022

“From the entrance valedictorian to the graduate valedictorian is a tough road. I am lucky because I always have the companionship and support of the University and the Faculty. Thank you Faculty of Mechanical - Electrical & Computer Engineering, Dr. Le Hung Tien has created conditions for me and my friends to learn, practice, and receive valuable scholarships and job opportunities from famous businesses.

I am very grateful and treasured to all of my friends, who trusted and elected me to be the class monitor and gave me love and support during the past time. Each individual in the K24NL class is a part of my youth.”

Valedictorian Nguyen Thien Phuc – Course 25 in Accounting of Honors Program

• Third Prize in the Business Planning Competition of the Faculty of Finance and Banking in 2021
• Tax Intern at KPMG Vietnam from December 2022 to March 2023
• Currently a Tax Assistant at EY Vietnam
• Head of Chrysalis English CLub Van Lang University
• Teaching Assistant at the Language Institute of Van Lang University
• Vietnam and Singapore exchange program volunteer organized by YMCA Vietnam and the Honors Program

“At Van Lang, I am not only trained in specialized knowledge and skills but also have the opportunity to participate in many useful activities. I’m thankful for the time working with the Admissions Department, and Honors Program Department, that brought me many emotions, memories, helped me expand connections with international friends and working relationships, thereby changed my way of thinking, became more mature and had a clearer direction for the future.”

Valedictorian Mai Thuy Son – Course 25 in Travel and Tourism Management

• Cumulative GPA: 3.44
• Degree Classification: Very Good
• The entrance and graduation valedictorian of Travel and Tourism Management
• Achieved scholarships for many consecutive semesters
• Outstanding Student at Faculty level for the academic year 2019 - 2020, 2020 - 2021

“I initially chose Business Administration, then I decided to study Hotel Management and finally joined the Travel and Tourism Management major. At the Faculty of Tourism, I learned a lot of valuable knowledge and approached the practical learning environment. My course is also the first to experience all 3 regions of the country - North, Central, and South. Along with the source of specialized knowledge exposed through theory and practical practice, this major opens up a wide variety of extra-curricular activities and academic competitions to provide students with more playground to express their passion for scientific research as well as demonstrate their profession.

Today's achievement is the sweet fruit of my efforts for 4 years. This maturity anniversary gift, I want to give to Mom and Dad. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for always being tolerant and welcoming to me when I'm lost. Thank you, Mom and Dad and my family for always supporting my decisions, letting me make my own decisions in life, and thank you for accepting everything about me. For me, that's the luckiest thing"