On 28 September, the VNUHCM-University of Science (HCMUS) held a graduation ceremony for 26 students of the joint international Bachelor of Information Technology programme with Auckland University of Technology (AUT), New Zealand.

The event was attended by Assoc. Prof. Trần Minh Triết, Vice President of HCMUS and Director of the International Training and Education Center (ITEC); Mr. Trần Công Danh, Deputy Director of ITEC; Prof. Tek Tjing Lie, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences at AUT; alongside lecturers, parents, and the graduating cohort.

In his address, Assoc. Prof. Triết congratulated the new graduates and underlined the distinctive value of the joint programme: “The programme represents a synthesis of the University of Science’s strengths in mathematics, scientific reasoning, and programming, combined with AUT’s modern curriculum in service science and management. This equips graduates with the essential tools to navigate the digital economy and positions our institution as a pioneer in high-quality technology education.”

He also highlighted that beyond academic content, the partnership illustrates the value of cross-border collaboration in higher education. By bringing together complementary expertise from Viet Nam and New Zealand, the programme not only strengthens students’ academic foundations but also nurtures a global perspective and readiness to contribute in diverse professional environments.

The ceremony recognised 26 outstanding achievements within the cohort. Lê Trần Hiếu Nhân was named valedictorian of the 14th intake, while Đào Minh Đức and Nguyễn Bảo Ngọc shared the title of salutatorians. A team project led by Hiếu Nhân, together with Nguyễn Ngọc Phú, Võ Quang Dũng, Nguyễn Huy Hoàng and Lưu Hoàng Thúy Vân, received the Best R&D Project Award for their work on a “Soft Skills and Personal Development Learning Platform for the Japanese Market”.

Speaking on behalf of the graduates, valedictorian Hiếu Nhân offered thanks to parents, lecturers from both universities, and programme administrators. Reflecting on their studies, which began online during the pandemic, Nhân noted: “We have proven our capabilities, and this is only the beginning. With dedication and integrity, there is nothing beyond our reach.”

For both universities, the 2025 graduation was more than a milestone for 26 young IT specialists. The ceremony reaffirmed the enduring value of international cooperation in higher education, nurturing globally minded graduates ready to contribute to the digital era.