“The Academy of Public Administration and Governance will always be your shared home”

The full speech delivered by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien, President of APAG, is presented below.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien, President of APAG, delivered congratulatory remarks to the new graduates.

Distinguished guests,

Dear parents and new graduates,

Today, I am deeply honored and delighted to stand here with all of you students at a moment marking a significant milestone: the 2025 Graduation and Degree Conferral Ceremony. This moment is not only the end of one journey but also the beginning of a new one – a journey of self-discovery, career development, and contributions to society.

On behalf of the APAG Board of Directors, I extend my warmest congratulations to our 1,364 new graduates. I would also like to express our deepest gratitude to all APAG faculty members and staff, who have devotedly and persistently accompanied you over the past four years. To the parents who have always watched over, silently sacrificed, and been a solid support for our students, please accept our most heartfelt thanks.

We also wish to sincerely thank the agencies, organizations, businesses, and partner units that have consistently supported and cooperated with us in our mission to train and develop a high-quality workforce that contributes to national development.

Dear new graduates,

Each cohort of students leaves behind its own unique imprint, but your class – the Class of 2025 – carries an especially remarkable mark. You entered university during a time of immense challenge, when the entire country and the world were grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic. There was no grand opening ceremony echoing with the sound of drums, no chance to meet your lecturers and classmates face to face. Instead, you were met with online classes, lectures delivered through computer or phone screens, and virtual discussions. For most of your first two years, you studied in the absence of direct interaction, which is a very different experience from traditional student life.

That was not merely a barrier in terms of learning methods, but also a significant mental and emotional challenge. Many of you had to juggle your studies while supporting your families during the pandemic. Some had to study under difficult conditions, lacking proper equipment or stable Internet access. Yet you did not give up. You persevered, adapted, self-studied, took initiative, and remained resilient. These are not easily found qualities, and I firmly believe that what you cultivated during that time will be invaluable assets for your personal growth and future adaptability.

Beyond the pandemic, your four-year journey also witnessed significant transformations within our shared academic home. You are perhaps the only cohort to have experienced three different institutional models in one course of study: receiving your admission letter under the name of Hanoi University of Home Affairs, studying under the National Academy of Public Administration, and now graduating with a degree from the Academy of Public Administration and Governance. Surely, each time you heard the name of your university change, you felt both proud and somewhat confused or uncertain. Each change brought a new adjustment, a new experience. And yet, with faith in the path you chose, you stayed the course and firmly pursued your destination. I am truly proud of you.

Dear new graduates,

Today, as you receive your degree, you officially become bachelor’s degree holders – the result of four years of hard work, growth, and perseverance. But more than that, this is the moment you embark on a new journey, where knowledge is the foundation, but initiative, creativity, and ambition are the true driving forces that will propel you forward.

Paths do not find themselves; they are created by those who walk them. I believe that you, the new graduates of AAPG, will be those who dare to think differently, act differently, and create new values with your intelligence, courage, and passionate hearts. Surely, you will be pioneers forging your own unique roads to success.

We are living in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, digital government, digital society, and digital economy, a time of unprecedented change. New jobs may be replaced before they even have time to generate value; yesterday’s knowledge, skills, and mindset can quickly become outdated today and irrelevant tomorrow. In such a context, only those with the ability to innovate, to engage in lifelong learning, and to generate new value will be able to stay resilient and thrive.

Therefore, what I want to say to you today is not simply to hold on to what you have learned, but to learn how to learn, to renew your thinking, refresh your approaches, and continuously reinvent your own value. We can no longer compete based on memorized knowledge, but on problem-solving skills, creative thinking, collaboration, empathy, intercultural communication, and professional ethics. So, live with the spirit of “lifelong learning” to gain a competitive edge for yourself, for the organization you work in, and for the community you serve.

Live with a sense of responsibility: to yourself, your family, your organization, and society. Responsibility is not just about completing your assigned tasks well, but also about being aware that your actions impact others and acting in ways that are kind, humane, and beneficial to the community.

I hope you always carry within you the flame of passion and the drive to make a difference. Dare to dream, dare to act, confidently step out of your comfort zone to explore your potential, become a better version of yourself, and adapt more swiftly to the vast and open future ahead.

Dear parents of new graduates,

Today is a joyful day for our new graduates, and it is also a day of happiness for parents and families. I understand that behind each diploma lies countless hardships and sacrifices, sleepless nights, careful budgeting to support your children’s education. Every family has its own circumstances, yet all strive to provide the best so their children can have the best learning opportunities. There are mothers who rise early and stay up late selling goods on the street, and fathers who brave the sun and rain, willing to take on any job, quietly wrapping up their family’s hopes and dreams and entrusting them to these four youthful years of the graduates sitting here today. We would like to express its deepest gratitude for all of that noble love and sacrifice.

May I now invite all our new graduates, along with all faculty members and distinguished guests, to please rise and give a big round of applause in appreciation of our parents.

Thank you sincerely, dear parents and new graduates.

Dear new graduates,

Today, you close the chapter of your student life filled with beautiful memories. But remember, graduation is not the final destination; it is merely a milestone marking the beginning of a new journey – a longer journey, one of career, contribution, and true maturity.

On that journey, always keep three things with you:

First, confidence. Believe in your own value, believe in what you have learned and cultivated. Be confident enough to understand yourself, to know yourself, and not to fear your imperfections.

Second, a proactive mindset. Don’t wait for opportunities; create them. Don’t wait for someone to show you the way; seek the right path for yourself. Be proactive in learning, in work, in communication, and in taking responsibility for your own decisions.

Third, a desire to live meaningfully. Live not just for personal success, but to do something meaningful for your family, your community, your society, and your nation. Let your presence, wherever you may be, always bring goodness to those around you.

APAG will always be your shared home. Wherever life takes you, whatever you do, stay connected with APAG, with your friends, with your teachers. Don’t forget to join the alumni network, share your experiences, and support one another. Together, you will build a powerful connection for mutual growth. We are proud of you and believe in you.

Wishing our esteemed guests, beloved parents, and respected lecturers good health, peace, and happiness.

And to our new graduates of APAG, I wish you health, ambition, and a bright future ahead!

Thank you very much!