On 10 January, VNUHCM-University of Science convened the Closing Ceremony for the First Pilot Course of the HCMUS Future Leaders Project. This programme signifies the dedication of the University to educational innovation, progressively integrating leadership competencies and personal development into the academic curriculum, whilst ensuring active engagement from the alumni community.

Given the increasingly competitive nature of the labour market, expectations for learners extend beyond mere professional knowledge to encompass organisational acumen, strategic foresight, adaptability, and a proactive leadership ethos. To address such imperatives, the HCMUS Future Leaders Project relies upon a collaborative framework between the University, the Science Alumni Representative Committee, and the C-100 Alumni Entrepreneurs Club, aiming to foster leadership capabilities among students whilst said individuals remain in higher education.

The inception phase concentrated on harmonising content direction and deployment methods through training sessions for lecturers, junior staff, and mentors. Consequently, the inaugural pilot course commenced in September 2025, attracting over 60 participants, supported by the mentorship of 20 lecturers, alumni, and entrepreneurs possessing practical expertise.

Addressing the Closing Ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Trần Lê Quan – President of the University – acknowledged the diligence and responsibility displayed by Mentors and Mentees throughout the trial. The President noted that multi-dimensional feedback from participants and instructors serves as a crucial data source, assisting the institution in further refining teaching content and methodologies to ensure substance, modernity, and greater alignment with societal demands. Such insights also provide the groundwork for the University to adjust and formulate the Leadership module within the official training curriculum.

Representing the Science Alumni Representative Committee, Ms. Hồ Thanh Hương – Head of the Representative Committee – stated that the HCMUS Future Leaders Project originated from a desire to partner with the University in better preparing students for post-graduation life, drawing upon the lessons and practical experiences of preceding generations. Ms. Hương maintains that leadership competency commences with self-mastery, demonstrated through self-discipline, emotional regulation, and steadfast adherence to personal values. When such attributes develop early, students acquire a firm foundation to make appropriate choices and remain poised to undertake significant roles in the future.

Building on the positive outcomes of the first pilot course, the HCMUS Future Leaders Project anticipates launching the Second Pilot Course in April 2026. The University expects the programme to mature continuously, becoming a practical springboard for students to develop unceasingly, step confidently into the professional environment, and contribute sustainable value to society.