People's Representatives Newspaper (National Assembly) - Dai Nam University awards first Medical Doctor degree: A new step forward in training medical personnel.

A testament to the journey of training high-quality human resources.

The 2026 Medical Doctor Graduation Ceremony holds special significance for Dai Nam University as it marks the first time the university has awarded degrees to doctors trained at the institution. This is not only a recognition of the students' learning and training but also a milestone in the maturity of the Faculty of Medicine after many years of development.

Of the 83 graduating students, 1 achieved excellent grades, 27 achieved good grades, and 53 achieved fair grades. Besides the graduation results, the quality of training at the Faculty of Medicine is also demonstrated by the students' performance in postgraduate entrance examinations.

In the very first round of the entrance exam, 7 out of 8 new medical doctors from Dai Nam University were admitted to the residency program at Thai Nguyen University of Medicine and Pharmacy in the specialties of Internal Medicine, Surgery, and Obstetrics.

At the time of the graduation ceremony, 10 new doctors from the K14 cohort were continuing to participate in the residency entrance exam at Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy. Many other new doctors were also preparing to participate in residency entrance exams at prestigious universities such as Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi University of Medicine and Pharmacy - Vietnam National University, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, VinUni University, etc.

Speaking at the ceremony, Associate Professor Dr. Dao Thi Thu Giang, Rector of Dai Nam University, said that this is an important milestone and a source of pride for the university after 19 years of establishment and development.

“For the first time, we have provided society with 83 doctors – who will accompany patients and participate in healthcare for the people. This is a testament to the perseverance, determination, and persistence of Dai Nam University in its journey to train high-quality human resources,” Ms. Giang shared.

According to the Rector of Dai Nam University, the recognition of graduates from medical facilities and hospitals is proof of the quality of education that the university pursues.

The university aims not only to train doctors to meet domestic needs but also to supply medical personnel to the international market. Therefore, Dai Nam University has implemented international medical programs taught entirely in English, while continuing to develop medicine and the health sciences as key training areas.

Regarding the admissions process for medical school, Associate Professor Dr. Dao Thi Thu Giang stated that this is a specialized field of study requiring stringent standards because graduates will directly perform work related to human health and life.

"The medical field must always have higher standards. The school does not compromise on quality and always upholds the highest standards for doctors upon graduation," the principal emphasized.

Accordingly, the first intake of the Medical program at Dai Nam University had over 100 students enrolled, but only 83 graduated. Students who did not complete the program will continue their training to meet all requirements before graduation.

Training is linked to practice.

According to People's Teacher, Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Duc Hanh, Head of the Faculty of Medicine at Dai Nam University, to have its first cohort of doctors, the university spent nearly three years (2017–2020) comprehensively preparing the infrastructure, training program, learning materials system, and teaching staff. After the evaluation process, the Ministry of Education and Training allowed the university to enroll students in the Medical program from the 2020–2021 academic year according to Decision No. 87/QD-BGDĐT.

The Faculty of Medicine was established with the goal of training doctors who are highly skilled professionally, possess excellent clinical abilities, are ethically sound, have innovative thinking, and are responsible to the community.

The 2020–2026 Medical Program (K14) is the first cohort of medical doctors at Dai Nam University. The six-year training journey took place amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, creating numerous challenges for teaching and clinical practice. However, through proactive innovation, technology application, collaboration with healthcare facilities, and unwavering commitment to quality, the Faculty of Medicine successfully completed its training objectives, sending the university's first doctors into the profession.

According to People's Doctor of Medicine, Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Duc Hanh, the medical training program is built on the CDIO approach, based on the Basic Competency Standards for Medical Doctors issued by the Ministry of Health, aiming to train doctors with specialized knowledge, practical skills, and the ability to adapt to the modern medical environment.

During their training, students are exposed to advanced teaching methods such as problem-based learning (PBL), case-based learning (CBL), clinical simulations, and practical skills training at the preclinical center. Assessment is conducted through various methods such as objective medical skills assessment station-based testing (OSCE), practical skills assessment, clinical interviews, and monitoring of learning progress at the hospital.

In particular, clinical practice training is identified as a central focus in the doctor training model of Dai Nam University. The Faculty of Medicine has built a network of cooperation with 21 major hospitals, including central-level and first-class hospitals, as well as a Center for Disease Control (CDC) and two primary health stations.

Besides professional training, students of the K14 cohort have also achieved many results in scientific research. During the period 2022–2026, the first cohort of medical students won 11 school-level scientific research awards, including 2 first prizes, 3 second prizes, 3 third prizes, and 3 consolation prizes; one of their projects was submitted to the ministerial-level competition.

Put the patient at the center and listen with your heart.

Addressing the new medical students, Dr. Le Dac Son – Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dai Nam University – emphasized: “You will be the ones to write the history of the General Medicine ngành at Dai Nam University. The medical degree you receive today is only your first passport. Many challenges lie ahead, but also much happiness. Before you leave the university to integrate into hospitals and medical facilities throughout Vietnam, I have three pieces of advice for the first medical staff of the university:

The first thing is to always keep a cool head and a warm heart. The medical field demands extreme precision; even a small mistake can cost a person their life. Empathize with patients, and treat them as if they were your dearest loved ones.

Secondly, there's the matter of learning. You must continue to study, because this degree is just a passport to enter the vast and wide world. Technology is changing very rapidly; AI can now interpret images more accurately than humans, but AI cannot replace a doctor with a warm heart to care for patients. Therefore, if you don't continue to learn, you will fall behind.

Finally, express your gratitude from the bottom of your heart. Your parents gave birth to you and nurtured you, providing for your every need throughout your life. The first thing you should thank is your parents; then, thank your school, your teachers, your friends, and your colleagues – those who have taught, guided, and shared with you, enabling you to achieve the true maturity you have today.”

Sharing her experience at the graduation ceremony, newly graduated doctor Tran Hai Yen said that six years ago, when choosing to study medicine at a private university, the first cohort of students faced considerable pressure and skeptical glances.

"Questions have been raised: Are students from private schools good enough to become doctors? After six years of training, are they competent enough to shoulder the mission of caring for people's health and lives?" Hai Yen shared.

According to the new doctor, the answer lies not in words but in the results of countless nights of diligent study, hospital shifts, stressful clinical exams, and the rigorous training of each professional skill.

Besides their studies, students of the K14 cohort actively participate in community activities, including volunteer trips to mountainous areas in Lao Cai and Cao Bang, contributing to fostering a sense of social responsibility among future medical professionals.

“Today, standing on this stage as the first graduating class of medical doctors from Dai Nam University, we can proudly say: we have done it. The value of a doctor is not determined by the name of the school on their diploma, but is affirmed by their professional competence, medical ethics, and responsibility towards patients,” Hai Yen said emotionally.

According to the newly graduated doctors, the most valuable thing their teachers gave them was not only medical knowledge and professional skills, but also lessons about respecting life, putting patients at the center, and listening with their hearts.