Opening of the workshop "Igniting the Flame to Move Forward 2025": Converging New Strengths

On March 29th, in Quang Ninh, the "Igniting the Flame for Progress 2025" conference opened with the participation of over 240 delegates, including education managers and education experts from across the country, all sharing a common goal: "how to make Vietnamese education progress – stronger, deeper, and more humane."

Báo Đại biểu Nhân dân•29/03/2025

The "Igniting the Flame for Progress" workshop, organized by the EdulightenUp Network of Education Managers Without Borders in collaboration with the Institute for Research & Development of Education Management, has become a highly anticipated event in the education community. In 2025, the workshop returns with the theme "GATHER NEW STRENGTHS," continuing its mission of connecting, innovating, and spreading advanced educational values.

The workshop provides an opportunity to access practical educational models, innovative ideas, and exemplary case studies from schools that are pioneers in educational innovation.

Opening of the workshop "Igniting the Flame to Move Forward 2025": Converging New Strengths

Turning the "impossible into possible"

In her opening remarks at the workshop, Ms. Phan Thi Hong Dung, co-founder of the EdulightenUp Network of Education Managers Without Borders, emphasized: “Education is facing unprecedented changes. Our students today are growing up in a world full of change and opportunity, where 21st-century skills are no longer a distant dream, but a vital requirement. Therefore, schools should not only be places that ‘teach knowledge’ but must become places that sow seeds – seeds of competence, character, identity, creativity, and compassion. With that spirit, this year’s workshop carries a mission: To ignite belief – To provide tools – To connect people – To inspire action.”

Ms. Phan Thi Hong Dung, co-founder of EdulightenUp, a network of education managers without borders.

At the opening ceremony of the "Educational Flame" workshop, teachers listened to moving stories that ignited their desire to be involved, to do things differently, to do better every day, and to turn the "impossible into possible" through the profound sharing of the journey of Teacher Nguyen Xuan Khang, Chairman of the Board of Marie Curie School ( Hanoi ), in building a private education model from "no home, no money, no people" to a unique, humane, and far-reaching education system.

At the seminar, Mr. Khang shared: "Back then, I was very poor. I only had one decent set of clothes to wear to class. The students were also poor at that time, but the affection they showed me was the most precious thing. After many years of dedication to education, to Marie Curie School, from being one of the poorest people in society, Mr. Khang can now confidently say that he is no longer poor. It's not simply about money or prestigious awards, but about the affection, love, and gratitude from the students I have cared for and guided throughout my life."

Teacher Nguyen Xuan Khang, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Marie Curie School (Hanoi)

In 2024, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Khang established the "Nu Village Project". The project aims to provide each student with three million dong per month until they turn 18, and to support other essential needs during their studies.

In 2022, Marie Curie School provided online English instruction to 2,600 third-grade students in Meo Vac district, Ha Giang province, continuing until they completed primary school. Facing a shortage of English teachers in Meo Vac, Mr. Khang spent 6-12 billion VND to support 30 local students in pursuing English studies at university. Each student received 5 million VND per month for four years. Prior to this, Mr. Khang also decided to spend 100 billion VND to build a boarding school for ethnic minorities in Meo Vac district.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Khang was one of the first students specializing in Mathematics in Vietnam. In 1968, he studied physics at Hanoi University. After graduating, he was invited to stay at the school to teach physics to the specialized high school students.

Teacher Nguyen Xuan Khang in the "Flame of Education" program.

The story of Mr. Khang – a teacher who has overcome life's hardships and possesses a compassionate heart – has become a beautiful image of dedication and boundless love for the younger generation. He has quietly spread the best aspects of the teaching profession. It is not just a story about education, but a vivid testament to the spirit of "making the impossible possible." That teacher proved that you don't need to wait for all the right conditions; with enough dedication, all obstacles can be overcome.

Educational innovation with experts.

Following Mr. Khang's story, the seemingly impossible journeys of two educators, Mr. Nguyen Khac Ly, Vice Principal of Phung Khac Khoan High School (Hanoi), in bringing music into the school, and Ms. Truong Thi Hai Yen, Principal of Le Dinh Chinh Primary School (Dak Lak), in building a happy school amidst the Central Highlands mountains and applying AI in education, also deeply inspired the education leaders and managers attending the workshop.

Accordingly, the 2018 General Education Program requires the inclusion of Music in high schools, which many educators consider "impossible" as merely a formality. However, Mr. Ly faced these initial challenges and developed a music model that directly impacts students. To date, one-third of the school's students have enrolled in this subject.

The stories of Mr. Nguyen Xuan Khang, Mr. Nguyen Khac Ly, and Ms. Truong Thi Hai Yen resonated deeply with and inspired the delegates attending the workshop.

In a region where over 40% of the students are Ede people, maintaining student enrollment and building a positive learning environment is no easy task. However, Ms. Truong Thi Hai Yen, Principal of Le Dinh Chinh Primary School (Dak Lak), has been determined to create a "Happy School" amidst the mountains of the Central Highlands. This not only brings joy to learning for students but also promotes the application of technology and AI in education (in the heart of the Central Highlands).

The "Igniting the Flame to Move Forward" workshop series, themed "Gather New Strengths," was held over two days, March 29-30.

At the workshop, delegates had the opportunity to visit and experience firsthand 21 outstanding educational models, focusing on four key areas: Practical experience and career guidance; Education for sustainable development; Application of AI in education; and Leveraging unique local resources for education.

In-depth discussions addressing challenges in educational innovation with experts. These discussions, featuring leading experts, aim to tackle current educational challenges with three main themes of the conference: Practical Career Guidance - Connecting Students to the Future, with insights from Mr. Yoichi Igarashi - Deputy General Director of DENSO Vietnam Co., Ltd.

The AI application in education will feature two workshop sessions: The Future of Education in the AI Era - Breakthrough Solutions from Microsoft, with presentations by Mr. Kieu Manh Toan – Director of Government & Large Enterprise, Microsoft Vietnam, and Ms. Nguyen Hong Minh – Network Development Director, Microsoft Global Training Partner – InterEDU; and The Journey of Applying AI in Education - Expert Perspectives and Experiences from an International School, with insights from Mr. Don McNamee - Director of Educational Technology, South Saigon International School.

Education linked to local identity: From traditional values to innovative breakthroughs, with a presentation by Ms. Tong Lien Anh - Vice Director of the Institute for Lifelong Learning; a representative from Laulau Learning, a Finnish organization for creative education through art, in Vietnam; and a practical story from Bang Ca Primary and Secondary School (Quang Ninh province) with the initiative "Measures to preserve and promote the cultural identity of the Dao ethnic group," shared by Principal Hoang Thi Du.

This year's "Igniting the Flame for Progress 2025" conference, themed "Gathering New Strengths," didn't begin with an academic session, but rather with practical experiences: a healthy run for dedication and happiness, and a folk dance connecting passionate hearts, all stemming from the idea that educators – before passing on their passion – need to be inspired themselves. And the journey of inspiration begins not only with the heart, but also with health, connection, and a positive spirit.

Nearly 240 teachers participated in the "Healthy to Contribute and Happy" journey, part of the "Igniting the Flame to Move Forward" 2025 event series of the Education Management Network Without Borders.