02/03/2023

How did Dai Nam University get its name?

Why is it called "Dai Nam University''? What is the meaning of DNU’s main gate? What is the reason for placing the national map right in the middle of the gate? These questions concern many people when Dai Nam University is mentioned with the image of the most beautiful and impressive university gate in Hanoi. Let's find out through the article below!

Complex of Dai Nam University at No. 1 Xom St, Ha Dong, Hanoi after completing the second phase construction

Why is it called "Dai Nam University''?

In 2005, Dr. Le Dac Son and 12 scientists joined hands to develop a project to establish a non-public university, under the patronage of Vietnam Federation of Civil Engineering Associations (VFCEA). The university's founding council originally planned to name "Dai Viet University" to express the desire to build a strong university like our country, at that time called “Dai Viet” during the Le (beginning from 1428) and Ly (beginning from 1054) dynasties. However, at the beginning of 2007, the name was changed from "Dai Viet" to "Dai Nam" because Dai Nam was also the national name of Vietnam from 1838 to 1945 during the Nguyen dynasty. This was the golden age witnessing strong development of our country for more than 100 years. The founding council aimed to build a strong university that would endure as those prosperous times of Dai Nam.

After nearly 2 years of completing the minimum conditions as prescribed, on Nov 14, 2007, Dai Nam University was awarded the Decision of establishment by the Prime Minister; and started admitting students for the first cohort after receiving the Decision of recognition from the Ministry of Education and Training.

Dai Nam University - the name of our country, elicitates our national pride and aspiration to build a powerful country

Sharing about the decision to choose the name “Dai Nam University”, Dr. Le Dac Son said that: “Going back in history, we could see that our ancestors created the prosperous period of Dai Nam era with ingenious strategies, contributing to expanding national borders and bringing a full and happy life for every Vietnamese. Dai Nam University, whose name is associated with the country name, Vietnam and Dai Nam era, represents the founders’ aspiration to build and develop a great university that grows strongly and survives with the nation, then becomes a "heritage".

In the Chairman's opinion, the name “Dai Nam University” is also a reminder for every Vietnamese, especially the young generation - the future owners of the country, to be grateful and remember the predecessors’ sacrifices to build and defend the country in Dai Nam era; letting each of them to reflect and prepare for an innovative and ready-for-integration country, to make our nation great and powerful as the hopes of the previous generation.

Nearly 1,000 faculty and staff at DNU all aim for the same goal - devoting themselves to national education development.

Accordingly, after 15 years of construction and development, Dai Nam University is proud to be a prestigious and reliable destination for more than 32.000 students and more than 20.000 alumni. By 2022, DNU has more than 12.000 students in 23 majors at the undergraduate level and 6 majors at the postgraduate level; nearly 1.000 working faculty and lecturers at the University. It is the result of 15 years of hard work, efforts, and patience in carrying out the mission "Training graduates to lead fulfilling lives and become upstanding citizens”.

Why is the national map placed at the main gate?

The main gate of Dai Nam University was built with our Leaders’ ambition about “a unique gate”, which is so impressive that anyone passing Dai Nam University must stop to see and take some pictures of that "unique gate”.

The main gate at Dai Nam University

The highlighted national map at the main gate

The most meaningful and highlighted part is the image of the national map right in the middle of the gate. It reminds DNU lecturers and students about the nation and Vietnamese people when they come to school, thereby fostering their will, study motivation, patriotism and responsibility to build a powerful country. That is also the deepest aspiration of Dai Nam University.