The Vietnamese-German University (VGU) on Wednesday awarded degrees to 43 bachelor’s and master’s graduates at its campus in the southern province of Binh Duong.

The graduation ceremony was attended by Hessen State Minister of Science and the Arts Boris Rhein, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Education and Training Bui Van Ga, andConsul General of Switzerland Othmar Hardegger as well as representatives of Binh Duong authorities, the school said in a press release the same day.

In their keynote speeches, VGU President Jürgen Mallon and Minister Boris Rhein congratulated the young graduates on the successful completion of their studies.  

Hessen State Minister of Science and the Arts Boris Rhein awards degrees to graduates. Photo: By courtesy of VGU

In his speech, Minister Rhein said that “the VGU is a very special university, not because it trains impressive young people and not only because it is unique in the way it is set up, but because it is a very special place representing the close friendship between Germany and Vietnam.”

He added that VGU’s greatest potential is cultural exchange, which is also a “great investment in the future,” as it is “a bridge between Germany and Vietnam, demonstrating that both countries have much in common”.

On this occasion, the Hessen State minister spoke on behalf of the German Federal State Hessen and expressed his full support for the university in the future.

VGU President Jürgen Mallon congratulates a graduate. Photo: By courtesy of VGU

He addressed the graduates and students, saying that they are the ones who “will lead the country into a successful future and therefore we, as the German Federal State Hessen, are especially proud that we have the chance to lead this country into the future together with you.”

Meanwhile, VGU President Mallon considered the students’ achievements a measure of personal accomplishments and the university’s success.

The ceremony also honored 18 fellow students of the World University Service and VGU Friendship Foundation scholarships, with a total value of 18,000 euros (1,000 euros for each grant).

Founded in 2008, VGU was at first an initiative by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the German State of Hessen but it has broadened to full cooperation with Germany over the past years.

The school is part of a Vietnamese plan, the “New Model University Project,” to build world-class universities in Vietnam with support from partner countries whose higher education institutions will act as models for their local counterparts.

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Education and Training Bui Van Ga (front row, 4th left) and VGU students pose for a photo. Photo: By courtesy of VGU

Focusing on high-tech engineering and sustainable development, the higher education institution follows the German model and standards concerning its academic and administrative structure.

The number of students has so far grown to almost 1,200 and 252 degrees have been awarded since the school’s establishment.

During the past years, almost all VGU graduates are employed by multi-national companies, international organizations in Vietnam and many countries in the European Union.

Some others continue their higher level research as well as received scholarships for studying in European countries.

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