IFI celebrated the 30th Anniversary: Emotional and Proud

Throughout its 30 years of formation and development, IFI has continuously innovated and excelled in training, and research, and has asserted its pioneering position in international, interdisciplinary, and multi-disciplinary training and research. It aims to become the leading educational institution for the Francophone community in the Asia-Pacific region. After three decades of ups and downs, today, IFI proudly stands as a forefront contributor to the internationalization of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, serving as a trusted destination for students worldwide to study programs related to information technology, digital communication, and Fintech. In the future, IFI will continue to develop with new missions, reaffirming its core values: Pioneering Spirit - International Perspective - Francophone - Multiculturalism - Interdisciplinarity - Social Responsibility.

The commemoration ceremony was attended by representatives from embassies, diplomatic agencies, international organizations, universities, research institutes, training institutions, partner businesses, and press agencies both domestic and international. From Vietnam National University, Hanoi, the event welcomed the President, Party Secretary, and Chairman of the Council Lê Quân, Vice President Nguyễn Hoàng Hải, along with leaders of departments and specialized units.

On the side of IFI, the event saw the participation of all generations of the Leadership Board, lecturers, staff, students, and alumni.

In his opening speech at the commemoration ceremony, Mr. Phùng Danh Thắng, the Director of the International Francophone Institute, affirmed that during its 30 years of existence and development, IFI has gone through various stages of development, from the golden age of initial international organization funding to challenging times facing the risk of dissolution and then entering a new period of growth as it is today. Regardless of the stage, IFI has remained steadfast and resilient to harvest successes and build its identity and culture, characterized by innovation and pioneering spirit, internationalism and Francophonie, interdisciplinarity, and quality. Sharing about the future direction, Mr. Phùng Danh Thắng stated that with international support, especially the guidance and support of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, IFI will continue to develop based on the five main axes established: Training; Promotion, technology transfer, Business incubation, and scientific publications. These directions have been implemented and will continue to expand in the future. Finally, the Director of the International Francophone Institute expressed gratitude to individuals and organizations in Vietnam and internationally, generations of lecturers, staff, and students who have accompanied IFI on its 30-year journey. He also expressed the hope that with the tradition and culture built over the years, IFI will continue to grow, becoming the leading university education institution of Vietnam National University, Hanoi in Vietnam, in the region, and globally.

Continuing the program, Mr. Nguyễn Hoàng Hải, Vice President of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, extended congratulations on IFI's 30-year journey. At the same time, he recognized the achievements in training, scientific research, and social services of IFI, affirming that the Department has been trusted and collaborated with by many partners inside and outside the country for joint training programs. Students from many countries choose to study and research. With a network of partners, officials, lecturers, and students from all over the world, IFI is one of the units actively contributing to raising the international index as well as the academic reputation of Vietnam National University, Hanoi on the international stage, providing a friendly, professional, and culturally diverse learning and working environment. The Vice President of Vietnam National University, Hanoi hopes that IFI will continue to uphold its existing values and improve and nurture future generations of officials, workers, and students, dedicating themselves to achieving proud achievements and fulfilling its noble mission.

At the commemoration ceremony, Laurent Sermet, Director of AUF in the Asia-Pacific region from Quebec, Canada, expressed gratitude and congratulations to the IFI staff on the occasion of its 30th anniversary. He mentioned that 1993 was the birth year of IFI, coinciding with the establishment of the AUF regional office in the Asia-Pacific region. Over the past three decades, despite facing many challenges and ups and downs, IFI has always stood by AUF in cooperation and development. The Director of AUF in the Asia-Pacific region highly appreciates IFI's contributions to building and developing the Francophone community in Vietnam through internationally standardized French language training programs, high-quality activities in collaboration with Francophone countries, and, notably, the Franconomics international forum. Finally, Laurent Sermet emphasized that the 30 years not only mark the growth of IFI but also a long-term cooperation process with AUF. He hopes that the Department will continue to leverage its strengths to preserve and spread French values in the Asia-Pacific region and globally.

Next, on behalf of AUF, Ms. Catherine Dandonneau, Deputy Director in charge of Administration of AUF in the Asia-Pacific region, presented a certificate to IFI titled "For Outstanding Contributions to the French Language Scientific Field." This certificate recognizes IFI's exceptional contributions to promoting the values of the French language in Vietnam through training and research activities conducted in French.

Representing more than 1500 alumni who have graduated from IFI, Mr. Ngô Hồng Sơn, a former student of Class 6, shared his thoughts. He acknowledged that compared to the 1990s when IFI was small in scale and focused on 1-2 IT-related majors, the community of students and alumni of the Department has expanded significantly with dozens of training courses in various fields. Following IFI's journey, he sees that IFI is heading towards an international learning environment, leveraging the diverse ethnic and cultural strengths of the Francophone community in Vietnam and the region. Finally, Mr. Ngô Hồng Sơn wishes IFI to continue building extensive and strong international relationships with French-speaking partners and expand to international partners beyond the French language, such as Japan, South Korea, ASEAN countries, to continue its success with the unit's mission.

Biakota Cephas, an international student who studied the Master's program in Information Technology at IFI and has been working in Vietnam for 7 years, thanked the leaders, managers, and all administrative, technical, and teaching staff of IFI for providing excellent learning experiences and equipping students with valuable knowledge and skills for entering the professional working environment. Additionally, the former international student from the Central African Republic congratulated and encouraged current international students studying at IFI for making the wise choice to come to Vietnam for their studies.

In the commemoration ceremony, representatives of the Leadership Board of Vietnam National University, Hanoi presented Commemorative Medals to 7 former leaders of IFI: Mr. Nguyễn Hữu Dư, former Vice President of IFI, during the 2012-2013 period; Mr. Nguyễn Thanh Thuỷ, former Chairman of the Board of Directors, former Vice President, former Director of IFI, from 01-09/2014; Mr. Nguyễn Ngọc Bình, former Vice President of IFI, from 2014-2016; Mr. Ngô Tự Lập, former Vice President of IFI, from 2016-2022; Mr. Hồ Tường Vinh, Former Vice President of IFI; Mr. Nguyễn Hồng Quang, former Chairman of the IFI Trade Union; Mr. Nguyễn Hữu Hải, former Director of the Francophone University Center in Hanoi.

The IFI Leadership Board awarded Commemorative Medals to 3 officials who have contributed for many years: Ms. Lê Thị Lan Anh, Deputy Head of the Administration, Chief Accountant; Ms. Đậu Thị Ánh Tuyết, Specialist in the Administration, in charge of accounting at the Center for Consulting and Technology Transfer (IFI-PUF); and Ms. Trần Thị Quyên, Deputy the Head of the Office of Scientific Research & Cooperation for Development.

The Commemorative Medals express IFI's gratitude to individuals who have devoted themselves to building a strong, developing, and pioneering IFI of today.

In addition to speeches and gratitude, the commemoration ceremony featured outstanding cultural performances, a diverse cultural mosaic of generations of officials, employees, and students; an exhibition area displaying images, documents, and memorabilia about IFI's 30-year journey, as well as a space for connecting and exchanging among guests.

The commemoration ceremony took place in a solemn, warm, emotional, and proud atmosphere. The event marked the 30-year milestone with many significant achievements while opening a new chapter for IFI's development.

View the history of IFI over the past 30 years through photos here.

Some images from the commemoration ceremony: