Vientiane: The National University of Laos (NUOL) recently commemorated its 2024-2025 graduation ceremony, marking an important milestone for the institution. The ceremony was notable for recognizing 63 international students hailing from countries such as China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Korea, and Japan, alongside 66 monks. A highlight of the event was the awarding of honorary ‘red certificates’ to 64 students, including 38 women, in acknowledgment of their academic excellence.
According to Lao News Agency, NUOL Rector Mr. Dethanoulath Saengdouangdet delivered a keynote address reviewing the university’s achievements during the 2021-2025 curriculum cycle. He highlighted NUOL’s pivotal role as Laos’ leading institution of higher learning, committed to fostering graduates who possess knowledge, skills, revolutionary ethics, and academic excellence to drive national socio-economic development and global integration.
Currently, NUOL encompasses 13 faculties and 2 institutes, backed by a staff of 1,455, with 697 being women. The university offers an extensive range of 255 academic programs, including 13 doctoral, 74 master’s (2 international), 119 bachelor’s (2 international), 44 continuing bachelor’s, and 5 associate degree programs. For the 2024-2025 academic year, graduates emerged from 3 doctoral programs, 38 master’s programs (1 international), 114 bachelor’s programs (22 continuing and 2 international), and 1 associate degree program.
Minister of Education and Sports Mr. Thongsalith Mangnomek also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of human resource development in a globalized world. He reaffirmed the commitment of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and the government to long-term education policies that promote socio-economic advancement, with human capital as the focal point.
Minister Mangnomek stressed the necessity of cultivating graduates who are knowledgeable, skilled, disciplined, patriotic, and possess revolutionary moral values. He underscored the need for well-rounded professionals with strong values, good health, and a sense of responsibility towards themselves and the nation.
Looking forward, the Minister outlined several key priorities, including enhancing scientific research, improving education and sports quality, and ensuring students graduate with real expertise rather than mere degrees. He also highlighted the importance of nurturing young individuals who are both academically proficient and ideologically grounded.
Additional focal areas include boosting English-language education, encouraging graduates to pursue careers in their respective fields instead of depending solely on government jobs, and accelerating human resource development in priority sectors such as agriculture, natural sciences, environmental protection, and water resource management.
Concluding his address, the Minister expressed confidence that NUOL administrators, faculty, and graduates will continue to uphold the Party’s mission, contributing to national development as competent professionals and dedicated civil servants with strong political and revolutionary values.