Exemplifying knowledge, skills, and aspirations: The story of a HaUI valedictorian

At the upcoming graduation ceremony of Hanoi University of Industry (HaUI), twelve valedictorians will be honored, and among them stands Đinh Thi Thu Ha, an outstanding graduate in Business Administration from the School of Economics. Over the past four years, Ha has become a symbol of excellence for her peers, representing the qualities of a new generation of students who are academically strong, skillful, and ambitious in pursuing greater goals.

For Ha and her classmates in the 2021 - 2025 cohort, university life began under extraordinary circumstances as the Covid-19 pandemic forced classes, orientations, and examinations to be conducted online. Despite challenges to health, spirit, and study conditions, Ha and 1,830 fellow students of the School of Economics completed their programs on schedule, demonstrating remarkable resilience, determination, and adaptability.

Closing her four-year journey, Ha leaves behind an impressive record of achievements: First Prize in the 2024 - 2025 Student Research Competition, First Prize in the 2024 Start-up Idea Contest, First Prize in the 2025 ESG Innovation Challenge, the Prospective Award at the 2025 National Debate Contest on Defending the Party’s Ideological Foundation, and a research paper published internationally in Advances in Research. She was recognized as a “Five-Good Student” for three consecutive years, is a Party member of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and in the eyes of her peers, she remains a dedicated and energetic class secretary, always ready to support others.

According to Ha, her formula for success lies in discipline and a smart approach to learning - integrating theoretical knowledge with practical experiences, scientific research, and soft skills gained through clubs and group projects. True to her entrepreneurial spirit, she also ventured into the online fashion business during her studies. What began as a small experiment soon grew into a sustainable source of income, enabling her to cover tuition fees and accumulate valuable business experience.

Her story is also a vivid reflection of the School of Economics’ educational philosophy: placing students at the center of the learning process, bridging theory and practice, and encouraging research, entrepreneurship, and holistic development. As Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hong Nga, Rector of the School of Economics, affirmed, the success of students, especially valedictorians, is the outcome of training closely aligned with the demands of society, where the school seeks to nurture graduates with solid knowledge, essential skills, and professional values, fully prepared for both domestic and international labor markets.

From a girl who started her studies amid the difficulties of a global pandemic to a confident valedictorian with outstanding academic records, leadership qualities, and entrepreneurial experience, Đinh Thi Thu Ha now steps into the future as a role model for HaUI students and as a shining example of the determination and adaptability of Vietnamese youth in an era of integration and innovation.