Dear leaders, former leaders of the Party, State, Vietnam Fatherland Front, leaders of ministries, central and local departments,
Dear veteran revolutionaries, distinguished delegates, generations of educators, scientists and dear students,
Dear international guests,
Today, in the great joy of celebrating the 120th anniversary of the Traditional Day of Hanoi National University, I am very touched to remember the University with an extremely special mark, more than 80 years ago, Uncle Ho directly presided over the first opening ceremony of independent Vietnamese higher education. From that sacred milestone, Hanoi National University has become a brilliant symbol of Vietnamese intelligence, a place of convergence of academic aspirations, nurturing talents, making important contributions to the cause of building and developing the country.
In the solemn, proud and joyful atmosphere of the ceremony, on behalf of the Party and State leaders, I cordially send to the leaders, distinguished delegates, generations of professors, researchers, teachers, staff, students, trainees, alumni and employees of Hanoi National University the warmest feelings, sincere greetings and best wishes. (applause)
Congratulations to Hanoi National University on receiving the noble award of the Party and State: First-class Labor Medal. (applause)
Dear comrades, delegates,
Our country has a thousand-year tradition of civilization, always valuing talent as the "root of the nation", the foundation that determines the prosperity and decline of the country. That thought is engraved on the stone stele of Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam - the first university of Vietnam and continues in the development space of Vietnam National University, Hanoi.
Looking back at the history of Indochina University from the beginning of 1906, we understand even more deeply the meaning of the traditional day of Hanoi National University today. This is the milestone that gave birth to modern higher education in Vietnam, and also one of the most early multi-disciplinary and multi-field university models in Southeast Asia. From this school, many generations of Vietnamese intellectuals have grown up, choosing the path of dedication, serving the nation and glorifying the country. The 120th anniversary of the traditional day of Hanoi National University is an opportunity for us to express gratitude for a sustainable flow of knowledge, from the nation's thousand-year tradition of studiousness, through the milestone of opening modern higher education, to today's mission of nurturing talents to serve the Fatherland, serve the People and elevate Vietnamese intelligence.
Dear comrades and distinguished delegates,
After the August Revolution, at the first meeting of the Provisional Government on September 3, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh affirmed: "A stupid nation is a weak nation", and at the same time launched a campaign against the "ignorant enemy" along with the "hungry enemy" and foreign invaders. That was his deep strategic vision: to maintain independence and build a rich and strong country, it is necessary to open up people's knowledge, revitalize people's spirit and value talents. In a letter to students on the opening day of the first school of independent Vietnam, he aroused the aspiration to bring the nation "to the threshold of glory to stand shoulder to shoulder with the five continental powers". That aspiration was quickly concretized. At the end of September 1945, President Ho Chi Minh directed "to reopen the university soon" and decided to establish Vietnam National University based on inheritance and development from Indochina University.
And also at this school, on November 15, 1945, Uncle Ho attended and chaired the first opening ceremony of Vietnam National University, directly awarding diplomas to medical students, and at the same time, together with comrades Pham Van Dong, Vo Nguyen Giap, Vu Dinh Hoe... participating in teaching some important subjects such as Constitution, Law and Economics. That image shows the special concern of the young revolutionary state for higher education, and at the same time sends a strong message about the role of knowledge and talent in the cause of building and defending the country. The birth of Vietnam National University is a milestone in the birth of modern Vietnamese higher education in the era of Independence. Right from the first opening day, the school voluntarily took on the mission of becoming "a strong force among the fighting forces of the Vietnamese nation", "a stronghold for the long-term resistance to completely restore territory and liberate the spirit of the nation".
Experiencing 120 years from Indochina University and more than 80 years in the era of Independence, under the leadership of the Party, Vietnam's higher education has continuously matured and developed strongly, with 244 higher education institutions, including two National Universities and 10 multi-disciplinary and multidisciplinary universities. With intelligence, patriotic heart, sense of responsibility and aspiration to serve, generations of Vietnamese teachers, scientists, intellectuals and students have made great contributions to the cause of building and protecting the Fatherland. The Party, State and People always cherish, acknowledge and highly appreciate those persistent and precious contributions.
With outstanding contributions through many generations, in 2006, Hanoi National University was honored to become the first higher education institution in the country to be awarded the Golden Star Order - the highest award of the Party, State and People and today the First-class Labor Order. This is not only a mark recognizing the contribution but also the entrustment of expectations, belief and also the very high demands of the Party, State and People for Hanoi National University on the path of development. The Politburo (VII term)'s policy of establishing Hanoi National University is a strategic decision to focus resources on building a multi-disciplinary, multi-field, high-quality university center, on par with the region and international level; playing a core role, leading Vietnamese higher education, making worthy contributions to the cause of Renovation and integration of the country.
Looking back at the past journey, the Hanoi National University has made great efforts, achieving many important and very commendable achievements. But entering a new era, the requirement for rapid and sustainable development of the country requires the Hanoi National University to make greater efforts, take stronger actions, and make clearer breakthroughs to truly be worthy of the stature and mission of a national university. Our Party has repeatedly warned that backwardness is an overwhelming danger, threatening the destiny and future of the nation. Backwardness in development level stems from backwardness in science, technology, innovation, and intellectual content in production, services and national governance. In the era of globalization and technological revolution developing like a storm, backwardness means dependence, weakening and losing the opportunity to rise up.
Therefore, our Party has issued very important strategic decisions such as Resolution 57 of the Politburo on breakthrough development of science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation; Resolution 71 on breakthrough development of education and training; Resolution 80 on cultural development of Vietnam, etc. The guidelines are clear, institutions are open, resources have been and are being prepared. The decisive issue now is action, drastic and effective action, to the end, to realize the aspiration for high development in the coming decades in order to bring the country out of the backward situation and rise to the group of advanced developed countries by 2045. With that requirement, I propose that Hanoi National University focus on performing well 7 key tasks:
First of all, Hanoi National University must always reflect itself in national responsibility and in the aspiration of the nation to rise up. The two words "national" are a sacred reminder of responsibility, honor and mission to serve the country. It must be a place to gather outstanding minds, unlock new horizons of knowledge, contribute to solving major issues of development, train people with the ability to lead and nurture Vietnamese intellectual bravery in the new era. In an era where the national destiny is increasingly decided by knowledge, science, technology, innovation and human quality, Hanoi National University must rise even stronger, become a leading academic pillar, a major creative center, a pioneering force of Vietnamese higher education; and at the same time be a typical and prestigious face of Vietnamese intelligence in the international arena.
Second, Hanoi National University must rise to become a modern, multi-disciplinary, multi-field university, operating under the model of an innovative university and having the capacity to lead the nation. "Essence" must be measured by academic quality, capacity to create new knowledge, train talents, develop strategic technology and make practical contributions to the country, and recognition of prestige in the international arena. I agree with the goal set by the Director of Hanoi National University: by 2030, our school will be in the top 100 universities in Asia and by 2035 be in the top 300 universities in the world. I propose that some key industries will be in the top 100 globally.
To realize that vision, the School needs to have modern educational philosophy, advanced management and a liberal academic environment; urgently complete Hoa Lac University Urban Area in a green, smart, modern direction, organic connection with Hoa Lac High-Tech Park, forming a leading training, research, technology and innovation ecosystem in the country. I propose a specific roadmap, assigning goals and tasks to each member, each unit, research group, and orienting management according to results.
Investing in Hanoi National University must be considered a strategic investment for the future of the nation, with a special financial mechanism, strong enough resources and superior policies to build modern scientific infrastructure, attract and value domestic and international talents.
Third, Hanoi National University must be a place that dares to go ahead, dares to experiment and pave the way for new models in education, science, technology, innovation and digital transformation. Thereby providing a practical basis for the Party and State to continue to improve development policies in the new era. The key requirement is to strongly innovate the university governance model based on goals, quality, results and output efficiency; expand autonomy associated with accountability; thoroughly decentralize and delegate power; take training quality, research value, innovation products, academic culture and practical contributions to the country as the highest measure.
Fourth, Hanoi National University must be a pioneer in implementing the Party's strategic resolutions. Focus on solving major national problems, especially strategic technology, core technology, source technology and technology products bearing Vietnamese brands. The school needs to become a gathering place for national intelligence (big scientists, leading technology experts, technology entrepreneurs, outstanding students,...) to research, master and develop foundational technologies such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, biotechnology, new materials, new energy, big data, green and sustainable technology. Action programs must be implemented drastically, done to the end, measurable results, clear efficiency; bringing training and research achievements directly to serve the country, Hanoi Capital and localities, thereby affirming the pioneering role in building a knowledge economy, innovation and national resilience.
Fifth, Hanoi National University must become a center connecting knowledge with development, further linking the school with the State, businesses, localities and society. University knowledge cannot just stop at lecture halls, laboratories or scientific publications, but must be transformed into better policies, more useful technologies, stronger businesses, stronger localities and better people's lives. Therefore, it is necessary to proactively form research programs, policy consulting and innovation according to large national orders; strengthen cooperation with ministries, branches, Hanoi Capital, localities, technology businesses, research institutes and international expert networks. Promote the commercialization of research results, allow the formation of science and technology enterprises from laboratories, and pay attention to the interests of scientists directly.
Hanoi National University must become a "smart bag" for the State to turn to when scientific arguments are needed for strategic decisions; a place for businesses to turn to to jointly develop technology, human resources and new business models; a place where society finds faith in the power of Vietnamese knowledge, science and education.
Sixth, with its long tradition and leading university position in the country, Hanoi National University must become a typical address of Vietnamese academic diplomacy. This used to be a place that many heads of state, international leaders, great scholars and leaders of global corporations visited, made policy statements, and exchanged knowledge and culture. Therefore, each official, lecturer, and student of Hanoi National University needs to deeply realize that they are contributing to representing Vietnamese intelligence, culture and dignity in all academic, foreign affairs and international exchange activities. With peak knowledge, civilized style, integration bravery and national identity, Hanoi National University must contribute to strongly spreading Vietnam's soft power in the new era.
Seventh, Hanoi National University must organize well political and ideological education widely among all officials and students about the proud tradition, about the role, responsibility and mission of intellectuals in the new development era of the country. That tradition is a precious heritage, which needs to be preserved, spread and transformed into a driving force for action. From this school, many outstanding leaders of the Party and State have grown up such as General Secretary Truong Chinh, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, General Vo Nguyen Giap; many great scientists and artists; many heroic intellectuals, typical students, people who dedicate their strength, intelligence, youth and even blood and bones to engrave the "Vietnamese stature". Every teacher, scientist, every student, student of Hanoi National University today needs to live, study, research and contribute to be worthy of previous generations, with the belief of the Fatherland, the People and the special attention that the Party and Uncle Ho always give to the cause of education, science and technology in the country.
To successfully implement those tasks, I propose that Vietnam National University, Hanoi proactively coordinate with functional agencies to research and propose to the Politburo and the Government breakthrough development mechanisms and policies for Vietnam National University, Hanoi in particular, and higher education in Vietnam in general. In which, special attention should be paid to removing bottlenecks in institutions, governance, finance, human resources, university autonomy, academic freedom, investment in basic science and strategic technology; thereby helping Vietnam National University, Hanoi, develop to its full potential, and at the same time create motivation to strongly innovate the entire higher education system of Vietnam in the new era.
Dear comrades, distinguished delegates,
The road ahead is still full of challenges, but with its glorious history, I believe that Hanoi National University will continue to rise strongly to become a symbol of Vietnamese intelligence, making worthy contributions to the cause of building our country to become more decent and more beautiful as beloved Uncle Ho always wished.
Wishing leaders, distinguished delegates, and all generations of teachers and students of Hanoi National University good health, happiness and achieving even more brilliant new achievements.
Thank you very much!
