Forum on “The Role of Young Officials and Employees in the NEU–UEH Development Strategy for 2026–2030”: Young Professionals from Both Universities Contribute Ideas for a New Chapter
25 Sep, 2026
On the morning of September 24, 2026, at Hall B1.205, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), the Youth Union of UEH and the Youth Union of the National Economics University (NEU) jointly organized the forum “The Role of Young Officials and Employees in the NEU–UEH Development Strategy for 2026–2030.” The forum was held in a hybrid format, with both in-person and online participation, connecting to the NEU venue in Hanoi. The event provided a platform for young intellectuals from both universities to engage with university leaders in discussions on translating strategic development directions into practical initiatives and concrete actions.
Representing the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) at the Forum were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung – Secretary of the UEH Party Committee and President of UEH; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao – Deputy Secretary of the UEH Party Committee and Vice President of UEH; Dr. Nguyen Thien Duy – Member of the Standing Committee of the UEH Party Committee, Chairman of the UEH Trade Union, and Chief of the Party and Mass Organizations Office; and Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuong Nho, MA – Member of the UEH Party Committee and Secretary of the UEH Youth Union.
Representing the National Economics University (NEU) were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho – Secretary of the NEU Party Committee and President of NEU; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huu Anh – Vice President of NEU; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong – Deputy Secretary of the NEU Party Committee and Vice President of NEU; Dr. Nguyen Huu Dong – Chairman of the NEU Trade Union and Chief of the Party and Mass Organizations Office; and Dr. Vu Tri Tuan – Secretary of the NEU Youth Union.
The Forum also welcomed representatives of university leadership, trade unions, youth unions, lecturers, young staff members, and employees from both universities, participating at the two locations.
The year 2026 holds special significance for both universities, as the National Economics University marks 70 years of establishment and development, while the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City celebrates its 50th anniversary. Organized as part of the 2026 cooperation program between the two universities, the Forum served not only as an opportunity for exchange and networking but also as a platform for young intellectuals from NEU and UEH to gain a deeper understanding of their roles in achieving the long-term development goals pursued by both institutions.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuong Nho, MA – Secretary of the UEH Youth Union, delivers welcoming remarks
In his opening address, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho, Secretary of the NEU Party Committee and President of NEU, emphasized the particularly important role of young staff members and employees in the development of both universities. He noted that this generation would carry forward the institutions' traditions and directly contribute to realizing their strategic objectives in the new development phase. He also reaffirmed the commitment of both universities' leadership to listening to young employees and creating the most favorable conditions for them to develop their capabilities, fulfill their potential, and make greater contributions to their institutions.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho – Secretary of the NEU Party Committee and President of NEU, delivers the opening address at the Forum
From a Multidisciplinary, Sustainable University to a Core Driver of the Regional Innovation Ecosystem – UEH's Approach
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung, Secretary of the UEH Party Committee and President of UEH, delivered a presentation entitled “From a Multidisciplinary and Sustainable University to a Core Driver of the Regional Innovation Ecosystem – UEH's Approach.” The presentation reviewed UEH's 50-year development journey through the University 1.0 to 3.0 models and its transition toward University 4.0. It also highlighted the achievements of UEH's Multidisciplinary and Sustainable Strategy across five pillars: education, research, governance, operations, and community engagement. Building on this foundation, UEH aims to develop the UEH UniverCity Innovation Hub model during the 2026–2030 period, positioning itself as a central driver of the urban and regional innovation ecosystem and a platform for co-creating value through multilateral cooperation. According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung, a new-generation university cannot be built solely through organizational structures; it must be developed through the accumulated capabilities of its people. He therefore expressed his expectation that young staff members and employees would become the architects of UEH's next generation: strengthening their core professional expertise while expanding the boundaries of knowledge, collaborating beyond borders, taking initiative and ownership in implementation, embracing innovation, and fostering a culture of open, constructive feedback for collective growth.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung – Secretary of the UEH Party Committee and President of UEH, delivers a thematic presentation at the Forum
Open Dialogue: Young Staff Contribute Ideas to the 2026–2030 Strategy
Following the opening remarks and thematic presentation, the Forum continued with an open dialogue session co-chaired by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho, President of NEU, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung, President of UEH. The discussion centered on a key question: How can young staff members and employees participate in and contribute to translating the strategic directions of both universities into practical initiatives, programs, and actions during the 2026–2030 period?
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung co-chair the discussion session
At the UEH venue, young representatives from UEH and NEU shared their perspectives in an open, candid, and responsible manner. Drawing on their practical experiences within their respective units, participants discussed the role of young employees in translating the universities' development strategies into concrete actions. They also raised concerns regarding the working environment, learning opportunities, professional development, and their aspirations to become more deeply involved in university programs and initiatives.
Meanwhile, the Forum also received numerous thoughtful ideas and contributions from young lecturers participating at the National Economics University venue. Their perspectives from Hanoi provided additional insights into teaching and research activities, enriching the discussions. These exchanges also opened up new possibilities for strengthening connections and collaboration between the young staff members of both universities in the future.
Concluding the Forum, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung, Secretary of the UEH Party Committee and President of UEH, summarized the key discussion points, acknowledged the proposals, and outlined four areas that both universities and their young staff should continue to prioritize: First, the leadership of both universities will continue striving to create a professional working environment and the most favorable conditions for young lecturers and staff members to innovate and improve their work. Second, the universities will strengthen connections through student and lecturer exchanges, collaborative teaching and learning activities, joint research projects involving faculty members from both institutions, and technology and artificial intelligence collaboration platforms. Third, they will develop specific policies and opportunities to attract outstanding students and student union leaders from both universities. Fourth, they will establish a cooperation framework between the two universities and their affiliated units to strengthen collaboration in entrepreneurship, innovation, and specialized academic conferences.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung – Secretary of the UEH Party Committee and President of UEH, delivers the concluding remarks at the Forum
Signing of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Youth Unions of the Two Universities
To ensure that the discussions at the Forum would be translated into concrete actions, the NEU Youth Union and the UEH Youth Union signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), witnessed by the leadership of both universities. The signing ceremony represented a commitment by the young generations of both institutions to solidarity, responsibility, and continued efforts to deepen the cooperative relationship between the two organizations.
Representatives of the NEU Youth Union and UEH Youth Union sign the Memorandum of Agreement
On behalf of the young generations of both universities, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuong Nho, MA, and Dr. Vu Tri Tuan presented flowers to representatives of the universities' leadership as a gesture of gratitude for the guidance, support, and continued commitment of the Party Committees and leadership of both institutions to Youth Union activities and youth movements.
The Youth Unions of both universities present flowers to express their gratitude to NEU and UEH leadership
Following the signing ceremony, representatives of the two universities' leadership exchanged commemorative gifts. These gifts symbolized the strong bonds, mutual respect, and spirit of partnership that both universities have nurtured over generations. In a year marking NEU's 70th anniversary and UEH's 50th anniversary, the occasion carried even greater significance, reflecting the shared aspiration of both universities' leadership to further strengthen their cooperative relationship and spread positive values among today's generations of staff members, employees, and learners.
Representatives of the two universities' leadership exchange commemorative gifts.
From strategic development directions and candid discussions to the cooperation commitment between the Youth Unions of the two universities, the Forum successfully connected the strategic visions of NEU and UEH with the voices and actions of their young staff members. The 2026–2030 journey will be shaped by the collective efforts of multiple generations. The ideas exchanged at the Forum will continue to be nurtured through everyday work, new initiatives, and increasingly meaningful collaboration between the young generations of NEU and UEH.
Additional photos from the Forum:
Article and photos: UEH Youth Union, Department of Communications and Partnership Development.
