When movies become a skills training ground for students at Dai Nam University.

In June, as the summer sun beat down on the grounds of Dai Nam University, the cameras and phones of the "student film crews" were working at full capacity. Over 300 film projects were launched, nearly 4,000 students took on various roles from scriptwriters, directors, and actors to logistics personnel, and thousands of hours of collaborative work filled with debates but also overflowing with laughter.

The Skills Launchpad - The New Wave Season 4, themed “Born In A Golden Aura,” impressed with over 300 film projects implemented and nearly 4,000 students participating.

Few would have guessed that behind those films brimming with the breath of life, it wasn't a professional film school assignment, but rather a "semester exam" for the Soft Skills course – a unique feature at DNU.

And on the evening of June 10th, the Skills Launchpad Gala - The New Wave Season 4, themed “Born In A Golden Aura,” took place in a grand fashion, like a mini-film festival, concluding the challenging yet incredibly brilliant journey of the Dainamers.

Behind the Camera: There's no place for empty theories in the lecture hall.

In today's rapidly changing job market, businesses no longer rely solely on academic qualifications for recruitment; what they need is an employee who is a good listener, a collaborative worker, possesses problem-solving skills, and can handle pressure.

At Dai Nam University, that philosophy is vividly realized: to acquire skills, students must immerse themselves in practical experience.

Professor Dr. Dao Thi Thu Giang - Rector of Dai Nam University, delivered a speech at the event.

Speaking at the Gala night, Associate Professor Dr. Dao Thi Thu Giang - Rector of the University - emphasized: If specialized knowledge is the foundation that helps students enter the profession, then skills, attitude, and responsibility are the decisive measures for long-term development. That is why DNU is committed to a comprehensive experiential learning model, helping students become familiar with the "storms" of real-world work while still in school.

And "The New Wave" is a hypothetical environment, but with real pressure. In that environment, the film project is merely a tool, while the ultimate goal is the ability to manage the work effectively.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Thuy - Head of the Department of Soft Skills Training and Development, delivered a speech at the event.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Thuy - Head of the Department of Soft Skills Training and Development, shared: “We don't aim to train students to become professional filmmakers. Film projects are a means for students to experience the project-based work model.”

"When the team members learn to put their egos aside to listen to their teammates, take responsibility when problems arise, and work together to overcome crises and bring the product to completion, that is our greatest success."

A journey of growth through the pressures of "real-world" situations.

Representing the judging panel, Mr. Le Dac Giang, Director of the Center for Culture and Events, Dai Nam University, presented certificates to the top 10 outstanding film projects.

Filmmaking has never been easy, especially for young people who have never ventured into filmmaking. There are sleepless nights spent revising scripts, sweat-drenched filming sessions under the scorching sun, and countless disagreements that almost led to the project being halted.

Nguyen Ha Phuong, representing a project that made it into the Top 5, recalled: “This was the first time we had managed such a large project ourselves. From balancing the budget and scheduling each member's filming time to handling unexpected situations on set... everything went far beyond what we had imagined from textbooks. But it was during the most exhausting moments that the support of our teammates kept us going. The biggest reward we received wasn't the trophy, but the confidence and mutual understanding we gained.”

Each film is a "slice" of social life, skillfully portrayed by the students through heartfelt camera angles.

The more than 300 films presented at this year's New Wave offer over 300 authentic perspectives from young people on friendship, love, family pressure, and the anxieties of transitioning into adulthood. They aren't acting; they are telling the stories of their own generation.

When professional artists take their hats off to amateurs.

The seriousness and passionate enthusiasm of DNU students deeply moved the special guests who appeared on the red carpet. Actors Thai Vu and Huyen Sam – two faces currently receiving the love of the audience through the prime-time television drama "The Other Side of the City" – could not hide their surprise when they directly witnessed the students' performances.

Actor Thai Vu expressed: “I was truly amazed to learn that these projects were entirely created and executed by students themselves as part of a skills course. The products may still have some naive aspects, but their project management thinking and teamwork are truly admirable.”

Meanwhile, "Mother Xuan" Huyen Sam was moved by the students' willingness to step out of their comfort zones: "I sensed the serious investment and overflowing energy in every frame. The most valuable thing is that they dared to try, dared to do, and dared to take responsibility for their work."

Success is not about the trophy, success is about confidently stepping into life.

The Gala night concluded with the awarding of prestigious trophies: from the Golden Wave and Silver Wave awards to the best individual awards. Tears were shed, hugs were exchanged, and cheers echoed throughout the hall.

But when the spotlight faded, the greatest value remaining from The New Wave Season 4 wasn't the titles, but the transformation in the character of nearly 4,000 people.

After months of grueling work with the film crew, these students are no longer passive lecture-listeners. They have become practical warriors, ready to proactively face any challenge in the job market.

Through inspiring training models like The New Wave, Dai Nam University once again affirms its core educational philosophy: All for the learner, wholeheartedly transforming the school into a happy space – where every day at school is not just about accumulating knowledge, but about living fully and proudly stepping into the future.