Opening Ceremony of Undergraduate Cohort 25 (Academic term 2025–2029) and Announcement Ceremony of the Decision on granting accreditation certificates for 08 undergraduate programs

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang, Politburo Member, President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA), Chairman of the Central Council on Theoretical Studies, delivered congratulatory remarks.

Other distinguished guests included: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Doan Minh Huan, Member of the Party Central Committee, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Standing Vice President of HCMA; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Duong Trung Y, Vice President of HCMA; representatives of several departments and functional units of HCMA; Meritorious Teacher, Prof. Dr. Huynh Van Chuong, Director General of the Department of Quality Management, Ministry of Education and Training; Dr. Bounpone Keophengla, Deputy Head of the Education and Culture Office, Embassy of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in Viet Nam; leaders of Xuan Dinh Ward and Giang Vo Ward, Ha Noi; representatives of the Department A03, Ministry of Public Security; Dr. Nguyen Van Duong, Director of Thang Long Education Quality Accreditation Center.

From APAG, participants included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee of HCMA, Secretary of the Party Committee, and President of APAG; members of APAG Board of Directors; former leaders of APAG over different periods: Dr. Tran Anh Tuan, President of the Vietnam Association of Administrative Sciences, former Vice Minister of Home Affairs; Meritorious Teacher, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trieu Van Cuong, former Vice Minister of Home Affairs; Dr. Dang Xuan Hoan, former Secretary of the Party Committee and former President of NAPA; former Vice Presidents of the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) from different periods; members of the Standing Committee and the Executive Committee of the APAGs Party Committee; Secretary of the Youth Union; leaders, officials, lecturers of APAG units; and the new students of Cohort 25 (academic term 2025–2029).

The ceremony took place at Hall 2, the APAG headquarters at 77 Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, and was livestreamed to the APAG campuses in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang City, Dak Lak Province, and on the APAG official Facebook platform.

In his remarks at the Opening Ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien, President of APAG, affirmed that the academic year 2025–2026 marks an important milestone in the development process of APAG. This is the first year APAG implements Decision No. 55-QD/TW dated January 8, 2025, issued by the President of HCMA. According to this Decision, APAG begins a new phase of development as a multi-disciplinary higher education institution under HCMA, becoming a Party school bearing the name of President Ho Chi Minh. This transformation is both a source of pride and a significant responsibility for all public officials, lecturers, and students of APAG to continue striving and building a high-quality learning environment.

Immediately after the merger into HCMA, NAPA was renamed to aPAG. The institution identified the 2025 student admission as its central task. With collective unity, APAG inherited the 65-year tradition and brand of the former NAPA, promptly developing and implementing the 2025 admission plan in line with its new position, role, functions, and tasks.

For undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral admissions in 2025, APAG achieved success in both quantity and quality. Compared with 2024, the number of applications and admitted candidates continued to increase significantly. This demonstrates the APAG’s prestige in education, which has consistently earned society’s attention, trust, and high recognition. In particular, the APAG’s brand has been further expanded and strengthened as it has become an institution under HCMA.

To realize its mission and meet the requirements of renewal in the new context, APAG has identified the following key tasks for the 2025-2026 academic year:

First, thoroughly studying and concretizing the Party’s and State’s directives on the tasks for the 2025-2026 academic year. In particular, carefully and deeply studying Politburo Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW on breakthrough development in education and training, as well as the theme of the 2025-2026 academic year of the HCMA system: “Solidarity - Discipline - Exemplarity - Breakthrough - Development,” and translate these into action programs to be effectively implemented at APAG.

Second, continuing to streamline the organizational structure and personnel toward modern university governance. Priority should be given to improving the quality of the faculty and staff. Every lecturer must be a role model of self-study and creativity, serving as a guiding beacon to inspire, awaken aspirations, instill responsibility, and accompany students on their learning journey.

Third, completing institutional accreditation by 2026; developing modern, flexible, interdisciplinary training programs that meet social needs; and improving the quality and effectiveness of education and learner support under the principle of “learners as the center and main agents of the training process.”

Fourth, strengthening international cooperation, expanding networks for student, faculty, and academic exchanges with reputable universities and research institutes domestically and internationally. Proactively integrating more deeply to enhance the APAG’s education and research quality within the network of institutions for administration, public management, and governance training.

Fifth, studying and proposing the establishment of a Center for entrepreneurship, innovation, and knowledge transfer, creating an environment for lecturers, students, and trainees to unleash their intellect and link APAG with agencies, organizations, and enterprises in training, research, and technology transfer.

Sixth, building APAG into a center for research, policy consultation, and public service provision that meets societal needs.

Seventh, continuing to strengthen facilities and equipment to support training and activities of APAG; prioritizing investment in modern classrooms, smart classrooms, practice rooms, digital libraries, and intelligent software systems to improve service quality for learners and internal governance.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien expressed gratitude to new APAG students for placing their trust in and choosing APAG as the place to embark on their journey of study, growth, knowledge exploration, and future building. APAG will always stand by, support, and create every favorable condition for students throughout the learning, training, character cultivation, and societal contribution process.

The educational philosophy of “Creating knowledge, innovating with creativity, and assuming national responsibility” always adheres to the motto: Wisdom - Quality - Modernity as its guiding principle in all activities. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien hopes that students will always give their best effort, continuously learn to master knowledge, bravely pursue their passions and ambitions, live responsibly towards themselves, their families, and the Fatherland; striving to become a generation that is “talented, compassionate, and resilient,” as emphasized by General Secretary To Lam at the Ceremony celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the Education Sector’s tradition and the Opening of the new academic year 2025-2026.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang, Member of the Politburo, President of HCMA, Chairman of the Central Council on Theoretical Studies, acknowledged and commended the efforts, dedication, and achievements of the APAG’s leadership, staff, lecturers, students, and learners in recent times. He emphasized that, despite initial difficulties and challenges, APAG has promoted its tradition of solidarity, unity, and strong political determination; persistently strived to build APAG in line with its new functions and tasks, transforming from the National Academy of Public Administration into the Academy of Public Administration and Governance - not only focusing on management, but also placing greater emphasis on governance, service, and fostering development. He noted the fundamental renewal of training content and methods to ensure output standards and align education with the needs of the State and society. APAG has advanced accreditation and quality assurance, with 8 programs evaluated and accredited, raising the total to 11 out of 14 programs. Investments in facilities have been prioritized, while the team of staff and lecturers have worked in unity and actively pursued higher qualifications and professional capacity. Digital transformation has also been strongly implemented.

Addressing today’s generation of students - the future owners of the digital era and global integration, the vanguard force to realize the great aspiration of fulfilling President Ho Chi Minh’s cherished vision of bringing the country to glory, standing shoulder to shoulder with the powers of the five continents - Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang expressed his hope that they would develop a profound sense of this noble mission. He urged them to study not only to obtain a degree after four years as a foundation for life and career, but, more importantly, to gain sufficient knowledge, methods, skills, courage, and spirit of dedication to serve the Fatherland and the People of Viet Nam.

As the new academic year begins, in order to continue upholding traditions, building on past achievements, addressing limitations, and overcoming difficulties and challenges - with new requirements, new spirit, and new momentum toward new successes - Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang proposes that APAG focus on the following key tasks:

First, taking the initiative, being creative, and implementing breakthrough solutions in a comprehensive and effective manner, creating high unity in awareness and action across all areas of work. APAG should adhere to and successfully implement the theme of the 2025-2026 academic year of the HCMA system: “Solidarity - Discipline - Exemplarity - Breakthrough - Development.”

Second, thoroughly grasping and effectively implementing the instructions of General Secretary To Lam at the Ceremony celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Education sector and the Opening of the new academic year 2025-2026 on September 5. APAG must build specific action programs with strategic, breakthrough solutions, demonstrating the highest political determination to establish itself as the nation’s leading center for training in public administration, state management, and governance, with regional and international prestige.

Third, being a pioneer in accelerating digital transformation in higher education, building a digital university model and smart governance. APAG should update, integrate, and embed the Party’s guidelines on digital economy, digital government, and digital society into curricula, syllabi, and lectures so that graduates will have the competence to adapt to and lead governance and development on digital platforms in state agencies, local governments, organizations, and enterprises.

Fourth, focusing on Party building and developing a clean, strong, and comprehensive political system. It is essential to nurture and develop a faculty and research team that not only possesses deep professional expertise but also strong political integrity, firmly committed to the Party’s goals and ideals.

Fifth, enhancing the quality and effectiveness of academic research; ensuring close linkage between theoretical training and policy practice, between research and policy consultancy. Priority should be given to implementing key programs, projects, and studies that address urgent issues in state management and national governance in the new context.

Sixth, paying close attention to and effectively implement the overarching mission of “Strengthening the protection of the Party’s ideological foundation and resolutely combating wrongful and hostile views in the new situation.”

Seventh, accelerating the completion of facilities at the 77 Nguyen Chi Thanh campus to put them into operation as soon as possible.

With its glorious 66-year tradition of building and development, the close attention of the Party and State leadership, the direct guidance of HCMA, and especially the unity, determination, and innovative efforts of its leadership, staff, lecturers, students, and learners, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang expressed firm confidence that APAG will continue to achieve new successes, worthy of its position as a leading center for training and research in administration, management, and governance in the country, reaching regional and international levels.

Representing the new students of Cohort 25, Ms. Vu Thi Thanh Minh emotionally expressed her pride in studying and conducting research under the roof of APAG - where knowledge, intellect, and courage are fostered, preparing students to dedicate themselves to serving the Fatherland. She pledged to constantly strive in learning, cultivating ethics, sharpening skills, and nurturing innovative thinking, to be worthy of the trust and expectations of lecturers and family, and to contribute to preserving and promoting the proud 66-year tradition of APAG: “so that today, we are proud of APAG; and tomorrow, APAG will be proud of us.”

At the ceremony, APAG honored three new students who ranked first in the 2025 undergraduate entrance examination: Le Thi Thu Hoai -Economics major, Pham Thi Tho - Media and Culture specialization, and Ngo Diep Phuong Anh - Cultural Management major.

On the same morning, APAG held a ceremony to announce the decision and present quality accreditation certificates for eight undergraduate training programs. In 2025, APAG completed external assessments for eight undergraduate programs. To date, 11 out of 14 of APAG’s programs have been granted accreditation certificates. In the coming years, APAG will continue to conduct external assessments for the remaining programs.

The new academic year for undergraduate students of Cohort 25 (2025–2029) has officially begun. Building on APAG’s 66-year tradition, with the close guidance and support of HCMA, together with the aspiration for innovation, the solidarity and determination of faculty and staff, and the efforts, eagerness to learn, and creativity of students, APAG is committed to successfully fulfilling the tasks of the 2025-2026 academic year; continuing to achieve new successes; and living up to its reputation as a leading center for training and research in public administration, management, and governance, reaching regional and international stature.