On September 27, 2024, the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH) held a solemn opening ceremony for the academic year 2024-2025. This event was part of a series of activities welcoming the new students of Generation 15 and marking the 15th anniversary of the university’s establishment (2009-2024).
The ceremony included distinguished guests such as Prof. Acad. Chau Van Minh – Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and President of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology; Mr. Olivier Brochet – the French Ambassador to Vietnam; Prof. Chu Hoang Ha – Vice President of the Academy and Chairman of the USTH Council; Dr. Nguyen Bich Ha from the Institute of Materials Science, wife of the late Prof. Acad. Nguyen Van Hieu; Prof. Jean-Marc Lavest – Principal Rector of USTH; Prof. Dinh Thi Mai Thanh – Rector of USTH; and representatives from the USTH Consortium, strategic partners, lecturers, staff, and new students of Generation 15.
In the opening speech, Prof. Jean-Marc Lavest emphasized that the academic year 2024-2025 represents a significant milestone for USTH as it continues pursuing its strategic goals set for 2022-2030. He highlighted the university’s impressive enrollment figures as a key factor in its success, noting that USTH welcomed about 1,000 new students, bringing its total students to nearly 3,200.
Prof. Jean-Marc Lavest expressed confidence in USTH’s future success and emphasized that the university would provide Vietnam with high-quality human resources in science and technology, equipped to address the country’s development challenges, particularly in energy transition, climate change, Industry 4.0, biodiversity conservation, and health security.
The opening ceremony also coincided with the 15th anniversary of the founding of USTH (12/09/2009-12/09/2024). Prof. Jean-Marc Lavest was pleased to announce that the auditorium on the 8th floor of Building A21, a venue for major university events, would be named after one of USTH’s founders, the late Prof.Acad. Nguyen Van Hieu, a renowned physicist who made significant contributions to the development of science in Vietnam.
Since 2022, USTH has adopted the tradition of naming new student intakes after eminent scientists to inspire passion and instill pride in students pursuing careers in science and technology. This year, the 15th intake is honored to bear the name of the distinguished French scientist, Alexandre Yersin, who had deep ties and made significant contributions to the nation and people of Vietnam.
Prof. Jean-Marc Lavest expressed his hope that the new students would follow in the footsteps of Alexandre Yersin in their studies and research. He encouraged them to actively participate in Vietnam’s dynamic transformation, underscoring that their skills and commitment would drive national development and lead Vietnam to success.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Acad. Chau Van Minh congratulated the nearly 1,000 new students who successfully passed the university entrance exam and officially joined USTH. He commended USTH for its achievements over the academic year 2023-2024, which contributed to the success of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology in training high-quality human resources in science and technology.
He highlighted the university’s accreditation by HCERES as a remarkable accomplishment, noting that it is the youngest Vietnamese university to be accredited by HCERES and one of only 12 Vietnamese universities to receive international accreditation.
H.E. Olivier Brochet, the French Ambassador to Vietnam, lauded USTH’s achievements, stating that the university exemplifies the new era of cooperation between Vietnam and France. He congratulated the new students of Generation 15 and expressed his belief that USTH students represent the future of the Vietnam-France cooperation relationship. By selecting USTH, students gain the opportunity to study abroad in France, a country celebrated for its excellence in scientific research and innovation, with accomplishments spanning fields like space, transportation, electronics, telecommunications, chemistry, biotechnology, medicine, and mathematics.
During the ceremony, the university recognized new students with outstanding achievements in this year’s admissions. This academic year, USTH awarded various scholarships totaling nearly 11 billion VND, up to 100% tuition fee. Notably, among the more than 1,000 new students enrolled this year, Giap Vu Son Ha, a new Chemistry student who won a gold medal at the 2024 International Chemistry Olympiad, received a full-tuition talent scholarship.
On behalf of Generation 15, Nguyen Van Ly, a new student in the double-degree program in Biotechnology – Drug Development, shared her joy and pride in officially becoming a student at USTH.
Van Ly sent a message to her peers: “We come here with dreams, aspirations, and a thirst for knowledge. USTH is not just a university; it is our second home where we will build lasting friendships, explore our passions, and contribute meaningful things together. As we embark on this exciting journey, let’s embrace the challenges and opportunities ahead. Let’s make this academic year a memorable one!”
The opening ceremony for the academic year 2024-2025 at USTH successfully concluded, marking the beginning of a journey to conquer knowledge for the new students of GEN15 – the intake named after the scientist Alexandre Yersin.
