The Academy of Public Administration and Governance (APAG) hosted its 2025 Commencement Ceremony this morning at the APAG Headquarters in Ha Noi, formally presenting bachelor’s diplomas to 1,364 new graduates representing 13 academic disciplines and nine specialisations.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien, President of APAG, delivered congratulatory remarks to the new graduates.
Presiding over the event was Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien, President of APAG, joined on the dais by Vice Presidents Assoc. Prof. Dr. Luong Thanh Cuong, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quoc Suu, Dr. Bui Phuong Dinh and Dr. Hoang Ngoc Hai; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thanh Giang, Chief of Office of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics; and Dr. Le Thanh Huyen, former Director of APAG’s Graduate Training Management Department. Senior representatives from all faculties, administrative units and affiliated offices also attended, together with the new graduates and their families.
In his keynote address, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien extended a warm welcome and heartfelt thanks to the distinguished guests, new graduates and parents present. He emphasised that every graduating class leaves its own imprint, yet the 2021–2025 cohort is uniquely memorable for having entered university amid the turmoil of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recalling that the first academic year unfolded without a traditional drum-sounding opening ceremony or face-to-face contact with lecturers and classmates, he noted that students adapted to online lectures delivered via computers and phones and engaged in virtual discussions for most of their first two years. Many balanced study with family responsibilities; some coped with limited devices and unreliable internet connections. Yet none allowed adversity to deter them: they overcame hardship, embraced self-directed learning and remained resilient. He remarked that the class also witnessed sweeping organisational changes. Students received admission letters under the Hanoi University of Home Affairs, continued their studies as part of the National Academy of Public Administration and are now graduating under APAG’s new designation. Each transition, he said, demanded fresh adaptation and offered a novel experience, but the cohort stood firm in its chosen path, earning the faculty’s deep pride.
Turning to the significance of the diploma, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien stated that today’s conferral not only crowns four years of study, discipline and personal growth but also signals the start of a new journey in which knowledge forms the bedrock while initiative, creativity and aspiration serve as the engines of progress. ‘Roads do not exist in advance,’ he told the graduates. ‘They are forged by those who walk them.’
He expressed confidence that APAG alumni will dare to think differently, act boldly and create new value with intellect, determination and passion. At the same time, he urged them to cultivate resilience, remain eager to learn and continually refine their skills, for academic knowledge must be complemented by an ever-expanding store of everyday understanding.
APAG President Nguyen Ba Chien and Vice President Luong Thanh Cuong presented certificates of merit and bachelor’s diplomas to the programme 2025 valedictorians in each discipline.
APAG President Nguyen Ba Chien and Vice President Luong Thanh Cuong presented Certificates of Merit and bachelor’s diplomas to students graduating with high distinction.
Throughout the proceedings, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien expressed his firm belief that the graduates—armed with solid knowledge, youthful dynamism and creative drive—will grow into exemplary citizens, skilled professionals and future leaders of vision, virtue and exceptional talent. He reiterated that APAG stands ready to welcome them back for advanced study, collaboration and future contributions to national and local development.
Graduate representative Nguyen Phuong Anh, a Cultural Management major from the Faculty of Social Development Management, delivered an expression of gratitude on behalf of her peers.
On behalf of new graduates, Ms. Nguyen Phuong Anh expressed profound gratitude to APAG’s Party Committee, Board of Directors, lecturers and administrative staff for their guidance and dedication, and extended heartfelt appreciation to parents and relatives whose support created the best possible learning environment. She pledged that, regardless of the challenges ahead, the new graduates would continue learning, strive tirelessly and spread the positive spirit they helped foster under APAG’s roof, while wishing APAG ever-greater prosperity.
Some photos at the ceremony:
Dr. Vu Thi Cam Tu, Deputy Director of the Graduate Training Management Department, delivered a comprehensive report on the undergraduate programmes for students admitted in 2021 and announced the official decisions recognising their graduation.
Ms. Dang Thi Hanh, Graduate Training Management Department, announced decisions commending valedictorians and those awarded the titles of Outstanding Student and Excellent Student for the entire course.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien, President of APAG, and Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quoc Suu, Vice President, presented Certificates of Merit and bachelor’s diplomas to students graduating with distinction.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien, President of APAG, and Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quoc Suu, Vice President, presented Certificates of Merit and bachelor’s diplomas to students graduating with distinction.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien, President of APAG, and Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quoc Suu, Vice President, presented Certificates of Merit and bachelor’s diplomas to students graduating with distinction.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien and Dr. Bui Phuong Dinh presented Certificates of Merit and bachelor’s diplomas to students graduating with distinction.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien and Dr. Hoang Ngoc Hai presented Certificates of Merit and bachelor’s diplomas to students graduating with distinction.
Student representative Nguyen Phuong Anh from the Faculty of Social Development Management presented bouquets to the Board of Directors and academic staff in a gesture of gratitude.
With the final diploma awarded, 1,364 graduates from across APAG’s 13 disciplines and nine specialisations left the hall as newly-minted bachelor’s degree-holders, ready to embrace the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.