On the morning of 5 September, Tay Bac University solemnly held the opening ceremony of the 2026–2027 academic year. Reflecting a well-structured development strategy and innovative governance, the ceremony was not only a welcome to the new academic year but also a forum to showcase impressive academic achievements and the vision of building a “Modern – Humane – Distinctive” higher education institution.
Proudly affirming its role as the core training institution of the Northwest
Entering the 2026–2027 academic year, Tay Bac University carries with it a series of remarkable milestones from 2025–2026, demonstrating the inner strength of its 66-year tradition. Overcoming many social challenges, admissions recorded breakthrough figures; in particular, teacher education and technology programmes such as Chemistry Teacher Education, English Teacher Education, Literature Teacher Education and Information Technology all reached an enrolment rate of 100%.
Educational quality continued to be standardised at a high level, with six of the University’s programmes officially accredited by the Thang Long Centre for Education Quality Accreditation. In research, the University’s academics made a clear mark with 9 publications indexed in Web of Science (WoS)/Scopus and 112 articles in national specialised journals. The University also continued to fulfil its important political mission: students from ethnic minority communities account for 76.3% of its student body, and it provides stable training for nearly 336 international students from the northern provinces of Laos.
A ceremony of national stature with the support of the locality
A highlight that gave this year’s ceremony its solemn scale was its direct connection with millions of pupils and students nationwide. At 7:30 a.m., the University broadcast live the national opening ceremony programme. The whole hall solemnly saluted the flag, sang the national anthem, watched a meaningful report on the construction of boarding schools in border areas, and listened attentively to the letter from General Secretary and State President To Lam to the education sector on the occasion of the new 2026–2027 academic year.
Photo 1: The flag-salute ceremony at the opening of the 2026–2027 academic year at Tay Bac University
Following the national programme, the ceremony continued with features distinctive to Tay Bac University.
The University was honoured to welcome Mr. Lo Minh Hung, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People’s Council, together with 38 delegations representing departments, wards and communes of Son La Province and the University’s business partners. On behalf of the provincial leadership, Mr. Lo Minh Hung presented gifts for the new academic year, affirming the province’s strategic support for the University. To honour dedication, the University held an awards ceremony, presenting Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister, the Minister of Education and Training and the Chairman of the Son La Provincial People’s Committee to outstanding collectives and individuals, and honouring the new students with the highest admission scores in 2026.
Photo 2: Mr. Lo Minh Hung presents the Certificate of Merit of the Minister of Education and Training to Tay Bac University
The Rector’s message: clear thinking, sharp reasoning
The focal point of the ceremony was the Rector’s message for the new academic year, which conveyed the University’s strategic orientations. Clearly recognising the demanding realities of economic development in the Northern Midlands and Mountainous Region, the Rector firmly declared: “Tay Bac University must rise.” Conveying the action message “Innovative thinking, strong transformation, substantive results”, Dr. Nguyen Van Dinh outlined a development structure based on three coherent pillars aimed at a “Modern – Humane – Distinctive” institution:
Photo 3: Dr. Nguyen Van Dinh, Party Secretary and Rector, delivers the message for the new academic year
Innovative thinking: the message highlighted the urgent need to shift completely from “education management” to “governance for educational development”, using technology to optimise governance. Every lecturer must resolutely build “a culture of integrity and substance, thoroughly overcoming the obsession with achievements”.
Strong transformation: emphasising a learner-centred philosophy, the message called for an empathetic, inclusive educational environment where “no student is left behind because of difficult circumstances”.
Substantive results: placing particular value on regional advantages, the Rector argued that “indigenous knowledge must be scientifically developed to fundamentally solve problems of livelihoods, culture and education for our communities”.
Passing on the flame of enthusiasm to new students, Dr. Nguyen Van Dinh advised: “Do not hesitate to commit yourselves, do not fear difficulties and challenges, for each challenge is a fire that forges the resilience of the people of the Northwest.”
The voice of youthful aspiration and the vitality of local culture
Responding to the message, new student Nguyen Tran Thao Thao (K67, Preschool Education) took the podium to voice the aspirations of the younger generation. She shared her pride: “Becoming a member of Tay Bac University is not only the result of long months of study but also the first step towards the greatest dream of my life: to become someone who sows the seeds and nurtures future generations of the country.” Carrying “the desire to rise and the flame of youthful enthusiasm”, the new students’ representative presented fresh flowers to the University’s teachers as a pledge of unceasing effort.
Photo 4: New student Nguyen Tran Thao Thao addresses the teachers and the University
Right after the ceremony, the campus came alive with the festival, imbued with the cultural spirit of the great mountains and forests. Thousands of students in colourful outfits filled the campus with cheers. The biggest attraction was the finals of the tug-of-war and sack-race competitions. In the tug of war, men’s and women’s teams fought dramatic, fiery contests down to the last centimetre, displaying teamwork, endurance and determination to the rhythm of drums and the applause of spectators. Nearby, the sack race brought bursts of laughter, with the agility and humorous moments of the student athletes painting a picture of youth full of vitality and enthusiasm.
Photo 5: Dramatic sports competitions
Beyond the excitement of sport, the festival rose into a proud cultural space with the “Dance of Solidarity”. Under a brilliant autumn sky, thousands of students, teachers and guests joined the traditional Thai xoe dance circle. As the music began, hands joined to form circles of solidarity and sharing, flowing gracefully like ribbons of silk across the schoolyard. It was not merely a dance but a sacred symbol of convergence, community strength and steadfast solidarity that erased all distances. The scene became even more meaningful when the Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and the Rector joined the dance with the students and presented prizes to the winning teams. The image of leaders mingling with the colourful crowd honoured the humane, close and warm spirit of Tay Bac University and stirred pride in the cultural identity of the ethnic communities in every participant’s heart.
Photo 6: The “Dance of Solidarity” rich in the identity of the ethnic communities
The opening ceremony of the 2026–2027 academic year was truly a lens reflecting the scientific vision, training standards and enduring cultural identity of Tay Bac University on its journey to shape the future.
Some photos from the opening ceremony of the 2026–2027 academic year:
