Short-term certificate Amid the jubilant nationwide celebration of the historic 80th Anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025), the education sector’s enthusiastic welcome to the new academic year, and the 80th Anniversary of the founding of the Ministry of Education and Training; Can Tho University (CTU) solemnly held its Opening Ceremony for the 2025 - 2026 academic year on September 5, 2025. This ceremony marked a historic milestone: the first academic year under CTU’s new status and governance model, aiming for greater achievements.
The ceremony was attended by Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Phuong, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Trung Tinh, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Rector; members of the Board of Trustees and Board of Directors; former leaders; faculty and staff; and student representatives from various cohorts.
The event took place at CTU’s Turtle Hall
This academic year opens a new chapter for CTU, following the signing of Prime Ministerial Decision No. 1531/QĐ-TTg on July 15, 2025, which elevated the university to a higher-tier university model – as a regional university entrusted with the mission of providing training, research, and technology transfer to serve the socio-economic development of the Mekong Delta and the nation. This transformation goes beyond structural reform; it marks a historic turning point that affirms CTU’s status as a flagship academic, research, and innovation institution within Vietnam’s higher education system.
Reflecting on the 2024–2025 academic year, CTU’s leadership, faculty, and staff demonstrated unity and unwavering dedication, successfully meeting the set goals and achieving significant progress across all areas. Accomplishments in educational quality, scientific research, technology transfer, human resource development, organizational restructuring, infrastructure enhancement, and international collaboration have established a solid foundation for CTU’s continued growth.
In his speech at the opening ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Trung Tinh warmly welcomed the new students of Cohort 51 and expressed his great expectations for their journey ahead. He emphasized the importance of holistic development in intellect, ethics, skills, and courage. In particular, he urged students to nurture their aspiration to grow and avoid neglecting their learning. Faculty members were encouraged to pioneer innovative teaching methods, inspire creativity, and actively support students. CTU will mobilize all resources to enhance educational quality and student support, empowering learners to internalize knowledge, transform it into personal capability, and confidently engage in the knowledge economy. The Rector of CTU emphasized: “We are entering a strategically pivotal period for CTU to advance comprehensively and attain international stature. As we celebrate our 60th anniversary, let each of us rise to the occasion and open a new chapter of vigorous and transformative growth.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Trung Tinh, in his opening ceremony speech
Outstanding Achievements and Quality Commitments
On education: CTU completed its 2025 regular undergraduate admissions, welcoming 10,994 new students across all enrollment methods. The total student population now stands at 52,414, including 48,960 undergraduates, 3,110 master’s students, and 344 doctoral candidates. The graduate employment rate reached 93.5%. Notably, the 2024–2025 academic year marked the first implementation of a new three-semester system. Specifically, the Ministry of Education and Training also selected CTU as one of 13 institutions tasked with establishing “Network of Excellence in Agricultural Biotechnology.”
On Quality Assurance: Currently, 34 academic programs meet national standards, and 37 academic programs meet AUN-QA standards. According to the QS World University Rankings 2026 (released in June 2025), CTU ranks 1,218th globally. Nationally, CTU holds second place for scientific publications, patents, utility models, and registered plant varieties in 2024.
On Research and Technology Transfer: In the past year, CTU faculty and staff undertook 11 national-level (NAFOSTED) projects, 39 ministerial-level projects, 50 projects in local collaborations, 38 projects in enterprise partnerships, seven scientific research programs, and 518 internal research projects. CTU also established two strong research teams and five leading research teams. In 2024, CTU published 2,140 scientific papers, including over 750 indexed in Scopus and WoS. A significant milestone was achieved on July 6, 2025, when the “CTU Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development” was officially accepted into the Scopus database, affirming CTU’s academic reputation regionally and internationally.
On International Cooperation: CTU welcomed 89 delegations with nearly 443 international visitors and is currently implementing 64 international collaborative projects. The newly established Global Education Center has opened pathways for global academic engagement and attracted a growing number of international students.
On Organization & Human Resources: CTU has streamlined its organizational structure, reducing the number of units from 51 to 42. The University has completed the handover of facilities from the Community College in Soc Trang Province and has begun enrolling its first cohort of students at the new campus. The College of Rural Development has been reorganized into the Hau Giang Campus, and several functional units have been renamed. CTU now boasts 24 professors and 182 associate professors, with 58.8% of its faculty holding doctoral degrees.
On Finance & Infrastructure: In 2024, CTU surpassed VND 1 trillion in total revenue and made substantial upgrades to its infrastructure to enhance teaching and research. These accomplishments are the result of the enduring dedication of generations of leaders, faculty, and staff, along with strong support from the Ministry of Education and Training, central and local authorities, domestic and international organizations, and businesses committed to CTU’s sustainable development.
Seven CTU units received the “Excellent Labor Collective” award from the Minister of Education and Training for the 2024 academic year
The Graduate School was honored with the Ministry of Education and Training’s Emulation Flag for outstanding achievements in “Innovation and Creativity in Management, Teaching, and Learning" in 2024
Individual accolades included the “Ministerial Emulation Fighter” title awarded to Dr. Pham Van Bua - Deputy Head of the School of Political Science, Social Sciences and Humanities (the second from the left), and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thuy Trang - Senior Lecturer at Hau Giang Campus (the second from the right)
Fifty-five faculty members received Certificates of Merit from the Minister of Education and Training for their exceptional performance in 2023 and 2024
Ms. Pham Anh Thu, a new student majoring in International Business from Cohort 51, in the Opening Ceremony for the 2025 - 2026 academic year
Representing Cohort 51, Ms. Pham Anh Thu, a new student majoring in International Business, shared: “With hearts full of joy, we stepped into CTU with pride and excitement. After nearly six decades of remarkable development, CTU stands as a prestigious institution, nurturing generations with warmth and wisdom. Supported by passionate faculty and modern facilities, we are confident that we will gain deep expertise, engage with innovative teaching methods, and develop essential soft skills for our future careers.”
Commending Cohort 51 students with high scores in CTU’s 2025 regular university admission
M.A. Duong Thi Tuyen, Chair of CTU’s Trade Union and Vice Chair of the Commendation & Reward Council, launched the emulation campaign for the new academic year
A Promising New Beginning
The 2025 - 2026 academic year marks CTU’s 60th anniversary - a pivotal moment to reaffirm its position, enhance quality, and pursue sustainable development. Building on its proud legacy, CTU is committed to the following priorities:
Educational Innovation: Revise curricula and teaching methods to meet international standards; prioritize core and frontier technologies for sustainable development in the Mekong Delta and beyond; improve global rankings; foster creativity, career readiness, and global integration among students.
Research and Innovation: Implement initiatives aligned with Resolution 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science, technology, and digital transformation; address urgent regional challenges; strengthen partnerships with local governments, enterprises, and international institutions to promote training, technology transfer, and entrepreneurship.
International Collaboration: Expand strategic partnerships with universities, research institutes, and global organizations; promote academic exchange and joint research; enhance collaboration in educational training to build a globally connected learning environment.
Community Engagement: Advance social responsibility through volunteer programs and community-based projects; continue leading the Sustainable Development Mekong Delta Forum (SDMD 2045), contributing to both regional and national development.
Infrastructure Development: Implement key construction projects; modernize facilities across campuses; complete the integration of the Southern Law College into CTU’s School of Law.
The 2025–2026 academic year marks a bold and proud new chapter for CTU, as it continues its journey to affirm academic excellence, foster innovation, and advance global integration. With a pioneering spirit and an unwavering aspiration to rise, CTU is steadily realizing its vision of becoming a leading university in the region — a vibrant hub of knowledge, creativity, and social responsibility. In this era of digital transformation and global integration, the University continues to serve as a vital link in the ecosystem of education, research, and innovation in the Mekong Delta and across Vietnam, contributing meaningfully to the nation’s sustainable development and prosperity.
Over the past 59 years of growth and development, guided by its educational philosophy of “For Community - Totality - Uniqueness” and a global outlook, CTU has consistently expanded its scale, enhanced the quality of education, invested in modern infrastructure, and built a highly qualified faculty to meet the evolving demands of educational reform. As of today, CTU offers academic programs in 19 out of 23 national academic fields, including 121 undergraduate programs, 59 master's programs, and 24 doctoral programs - all reflecting a dynamic, resilient institution that continues to transform and lead with distinction.
(Website Editorial Board)
