On September 12, 2026, the University of Languages and International Studies, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, held the Closing Ceremony and Certificate Awarding Ceremony for the fifth cohort of the Foreign Language Teacher Professional Development Program. The university also held the Opening Ceremony for the eighth cohort of the program.
The ceremony was attended by Vice President Ha Le Kim Anh, representatives of various university units, program coordinators, lecturers, teaching assistants, as well as all participants from Cohorts V and VIII.
In her speech, Vice President Ha Le Kim Anh congratulated the participants of Cohort V on successfully completing the Teacher Professional Development Program. She also shared meaningful guidance and encouragement for their future careers. She emphasized, “AI will not replace us, but teachers who know how to make effective use of AI will have more opportunities.” Through this message, she encouraged the participants to keep learning, stay proactive, and adapt to the rapid changes brought about by technology.
At the same time, she warmly welcomed the new participants of Cohort VIII with three key words: “Learning - Connecting - Sharing.” She expressed her hope that the new participants would have a meaningful learning journey, continuously build their knowledge, expand their professional connections, and share positive values with others. She also affirmed that ULIS lecturers and staff would always be ready to accompany and support participants throughout the program.
The learning and personal development journey of Cohort V was then brought back to life through a video summarizing the course, featuring memorable moments and experiences shared by the participants during their time in the program.
At the ceremony, Dr. Le Thi Chinh, former Principal of the Foreign Language Specialized School, former Principal of Newton Middle and High School, and former Chairwoman of the Education Council of the Newton School System, emphasized that AI could not replace the role of teachers. She also congratulated and thanked the participants for choosing teaching as their profession – a profession whose passion has never faded. Drawing on her own experience in education, Dr. Le Thi Chinh stated, “In our profession, our subjects are human beings, and our products are also human beings.” This statement highlights the fact that teaching is a profession that requires dedication, perseverance, and a strong sense of responsibility toward people and future generations. According to Dr. Le Thi Chinh, entering the teaching profession also means entering a world filled with different personalities, dreams, and aspirations. For foreign language teachers in particular, regardless of which language they teach or what their personal characteristics and career orientations may be, they should continue to nurture their love for the Vietnamese language and promote a strong awareness of preserving and celebrating Vietnamese cultural identity among each generation of students. At the end of her speech, Dr. Le Thi Chinh wished all the participants success and happiness on their professional journeys.
Following the speech, Nguyen Thuy Lan, Head of the Office of Academic and Student Affairs, announced the decision officially recognizing the completion of the program by the participants of Cohort V
In a solemn atmosphere, Vice President Ha Le Kim Anh, Head of Academic and Student Affairs Nguyen Thuy Lan, and Deputy Head of the Office of Academic and Student Affairs Nguyen Quynh Hoa presented certificates of completion of the Foreign Language Teacher Professional Development Program to the participants of Cohort V. The certificates recognized their efforts and achievements throughout their time at ULIS.
At the ceremony, Tran Ngoc Mai Duyen, representing all participants of Cohort V, expressed her gratitude to the lecturers and teaching assistants and shared some memorable experiences from the program. Mai Duyen emotionally shared, “Our teachers not only taught us how to do our job, but also taught us what it truly means to become a good teacher. And that was more inspiring than any textbook could ever be. Her heartfelt words represented the participants’ appreciation for the lecturers and teaching assistants who had continuously supported and devoted themselves to them throughout the learning journey.
In recognition of the teaching assistants’ contributions during the program, Deputy Head of the Office of Academic and Student Affairs Nguyen Quynh Hoa presented certificates of task completion to the teaching assistants of Cohort V.
The closing ceremony for Cohort V concluded with participants, lecturers, and guests taking a group photo together, capturing memorable moments from their learning journey. Following the conclusion of Cohort V, the program moved on to the Opening Ceremony for Cohort VIII, welcoming a new group of participants
During the opening ceremony, Deputy Head of the Office of Academic and Student Affairs Nguyen Quynh Hoa gave the new participants an overview of the program. She introduced the curriculum, study plan, and learning pathway of the Foreign Language Teacher Professional Development Program at ULIS. In addition, Deputy Head of the Office of Academic and Student Affairs Nguyen Tien Dung introduced the new participants to the online learning environment. He provided guidance on how to use and interact with the university’s Learning Management System, or LMS, helping participants become more confident and proactive in their upcoming studies.
The program then moved on to a Q&A session, giving the new participants an opportunity to raise questions and seek clarification about the curriculum, learning pathway, and other aspects of the program. Through the explanations and guidance provided by representatives of the university, the participants gained the information they needed to better prepare for their upcoming learning journey.
The opening ceremony concluded with the new participants, lecturers, program coordinators, and guests taking a group photo together, marking the first moments of their journey in Cohort VIII of the Foreign Language Teacher Professional Development Program at ULIS.
The Closing Ceremony for Cohort V and the Opening Ceremony for Cohort VIII took place in a formal and meaningful atmosphere, marking the continuation from one completed journey to a new chapter just beginning. With the continued support of the university, lecturers, and teaching assistants, the participants of Cohort VIII are expected to have a rewarding learning experience, continuously learn, connect, and share, while developing the knowledge and skills they need to move confidently forward in their future careers.
Đỗ Lệ Dung/ĐSTT
