Alumni Activities

Alumni Mentoring 2025: Empowering UEFers to lead themselves and inspire others

04/15/2026

Developing leadership capabilities is a goal many young people strive for; however, few pause to ask: “Have I truly learned to lead myself?” Addressing this fundamental question, on April 13, the Faculty of Business Administration (FBA) organized the workshop “Lead Yourself To Lead Others” as part of the Alumni Mentoring series.

The workshop brought together FBA alumni who have gained real-world experience, returning to share their personal journeys and practical insights with the next generation of students.

The “Lead Yourself To Lead Others” workshop equips students with self-leadership skills before leading teams

The program was attended by Dr. Huynh Nhut Nghia – Vice Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration; MSc. Nguyen Ngoc Thuy Tien – Vice Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration; along with two mentors, FBA alumni from the Class of 2020: Mr. Trinh Hoai Nam and Ms. Luu Thi Thu Lieu.

Representatives of the Faculty of Business Administration present tokens of appreciation to mentors Trinh Hoai Nam and Luu Thi Thu Lieu

In his opening remarks, Dr. Huynh Nhut Nghia shared: “Alumni Mentoring is designed to serve as a bridge between alumni and current students, where mentees are guided, supported in addressing their questions, and exposed to real-world experiences. It is also a space where students are encouraged to experiment, make mistakes, and learn valuable lessons before entering professional environments.”

Dr. Huynh Nhut Nghia encourages students to embrace experience and learn from failure

Continuing the session, mentor Luu Thi Thu Lieu raised a thought-provoking question that resonates with many: “What if life is not extraordinary?” She emphasized that each individual lives according to their own definition and pace, and that success cannot be measured by applying one’s standards to another’s journey. Every life follows a unique path. What truly matters is leveraging one’s strengths to create value and meaningfully contribute to solving real-world problems.

Ms. Luu Thi Thu Lieu shares her perspective on the question: “What if life is not extraordinary?”

Adding to the dynamic atmosphere, mentor Trinh Hoai Nam engaged students through an interactive mini game and introduced a compelling question: “How many lives do you want to live?” From this seemingly simple question, he opened up diverse perspectives on life choices—whether to pursue a multi-dimensional life with broad experiences and adaptability, or to focus deeply on a single path. Regardless of the choice, he emphasized the importance of identifying what suits each individual at different stages of life, based on time, age, and personal priorities.

He further illustrated his perspective using the analogy of operating systems and applications. If “applications” represent the various roles and pursuits we take on, then the “operating system” symbolizes our foundational mindset and physical well-being. A weak operating system cannot effectively support even a single application. Therefore, before pursuing multiple roles or ambitions, it is essential to build a strong internal foundation.

Mentor Trinh Hoai Nam shares practical insights on the journey of self-leadership

Towards the end of the workshop, the discussion shifted to a question that resonates with many young individuals navigating their future: Who is a true leader? Mr. Hoai Nam highlighted the transition from traditional leadership—based on titles and authority—to modern leadership, where influence, authenticity, and the ability to empower others define true leadership.

UEFers actively engage in the mini game debating whether to live one life or multiple lives

Throughout the workshop, students actively raised practical concerns, ranging from setting priorities at a young age to maintaining self-discipline in the absence of external pressure. The vibrant discussions reflected the proactive mindset of UEFers, who came prepared to question, reflect, and seek meaningful answers for their personal journeys.

Students confidently raise questions about their personal challenges to the speakers

The “Lead Yourself To Lead Others” workshop concluded with open-ended reflections, encouraging each UEFer to better understand themselves. This also reflects the core mission of FBA’s Alumni Mentoring series—to create a practical, engaging environment where students can gain real-world perspectives, ask critical questions, and gradually shape their own paths with confidence.

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