On the evening of December 13, 2024, Foreign Trade University, in collaboration with the community of Keieijuku Vietnam alumni entrepreneurs, organized the 15th-anniversary celebration of the Keieijuku Entrepreneur Training Program in Hanoi. This program, supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is implemented by the Vietnam - Japan Institute for Human Resources Development (VJCC).

The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Ambassador of the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam, representatives from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam (JICCI). The leadership of Foreign Trade University, along with a large gathering of lecturers, and 240 business leaders and managers who are alumni of Keieijuku Vietnam from cohorts 1 to 21 across the three regions of Vietnam, were also present.

The event was an opportunity to reflect on the 15-year journey of Keieijuku, highlighting its significant achievements in connecting the entrepreneurial community, sharing knowledge, and enhancing leadership capabilities for Vietnamese businesses. This milestone aligns with the deepening Vietnam-Japan relationship, marking 50 years of diplomatic ties between the two nations.

The Keieijuku Entrepreneur Training Program, also known as the Advanced Business Program, has been instrumental in fostering and developing the Keieijuku Vietnam alumni business community. The anniversary event was organized to commemorate 15 years of Keieijuku Vietnam, strengthen the connection between the university and enterprises, as well as between the university and domestic and Japanese organizations, while expanding business cooperation opportunities between the two countries.

Attendees from the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam included Mr. Ishikawa Isamu, Deputy Ambassador and Minister, and Mr. Hirata Isao, First Secretary of the Economic Section. From the Japanese cooperation agencies, notable attendees included Mr. Sugano Yuichi, Chief Representative of JICA Vietnam; Mr. Ozasa Haruhiko, Chief Representative of JETRO Vietnam; and Mr. Muto Shiro, Chairman of JICCI.

Representing Foreign Trade University were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Anh Tuan, Party Secretary and President; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thi Thu Thuy, Deputy Party Secretary and Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thu Huong, Vice President; MSc. Nguyen Huu Dung, Secretary of the Youth Union; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hien, Director of VJCC; Mr. Kazuhiro Yoneda, Chief Advisor of the VJCC Project; MSc. Tran Thi Kieu Minh, Vice Director of VJCC; Dr. To Binh Minh, Vice Director and Director of the VJCC Ho Chi Minh City branch; along with Heads and Deputy Heads of various university departments, faculty members, students, and alumni of the Keieijuku program.

In his congratulatory speech, Mr. Ishikawa Isamu, Deputy Ambassador and Minister of Japan in Vietnam, shared: “Since the launch of the first Keieijuku program in 2009, the program has trained and produced over 1,000 alumni. We are very proud to know that many of them have become outstanding business leaders across various industries, making significant contributions to Vietnam’s economic and social development.”

The year 2023 marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Vietnam, a milestone that highlights the increasingly profound relationship between the two nations. Mr. Ishikawa Isamu expressed his confidence that Keieijuku participants have absorbed the passion and expertise from experienced lecturers, and he hopes they will continue to refine their knowledge and uphold the essence of Japanese management philosophy. He encouraged them to apply these lessons to drive their businesses forward. On this occasion, the Deputy Ambassador also extended his congratulations to VJCC, the implementing body of the Keieijuku program, and expressed his hope for a stronger Vietnam-Japan friendship in the future.

In his speech, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Anh Tuan, President of Foreign Trade University, stated, “One of the missions of Foreign Trade University is to develop the Vietnamese entrepreneurial community with dedication and commitment, achieving many accomplishments in fulfilling this mission. The Keieijuku program is a product of the cooperation project between the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Foreign Trade University. The program is implemented to equip entrepreneurs with modern business management knowledge and Japanese business models, adapted to the Vietnamese business environment, culture, and people. The Advanced Business Program Keieijuku accompanies Vietnamese enterprises in building a corporate philosophy and a modern management model that values human capital, distills the essence of Japanese management, and maximizes the potential and advantages of Vietnamese people. Generations of Keieijuku students have internalized the principles of humane business philosophy and the core values of becoming ethical entrepreneurs, growing together sustainably.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Anh Tuan also congratulated the members of the Keieijuku community, encouraging them to uphold the Keieijuku spirit, confidently steering their enterprises toward global success, and serving as brand ambassadors for Keieijuku Vietnam in the eyes of domestic and international business peers. He emphasized that the success of Keieijuku community members is the greatest measure of the program’s success and a source of pride for all stakeholders, organizations, and individuals involved in the program.

Mr. Sugano Yuichi, Chief Representative of JICA Vietnam, highly praised VJCC for its significant contributions to promoting mutual understanding between Japan and Vietnam. Over the past 15 years, the Keieijuku program has resulted from the relentless efforts of both Japanese and Vietnamese lecturers in designing an engaging curriculum. JICA is committed to continuing its support in developing high-quality human resources who will drive Vietnam’s economic and social development.

Speaking at the ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hien, Director of VJCC, affirmed, “The success of the Keieijuku program today is the culmination of collaborative efforts among all involved organizations, laying a strong foundation and creating opportunities for the program’s development.” On behalf of the organizing unit, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hien expressed sincere gratitude to the Embassy of Japan, JICA, and Japanese partners for their continuous support over the past 15 years. She also extended her heartfelt appreciation to the leadership of Foreign Trade University and its departments for their unwavering guidance and support in positioning the Vietnam - Japan Institute for Human Resources Development as a key player in Keieijuku’s growth. She further thanked the faculty members for their dedicated efforts in delivering valuable lessons to students. Over the past 15 years, lecturers have accompanied and devoted themselves to the sustainable development of the Keieijuku program, embodying resilience, ethics, and professionalism, while fostering the growth of Vietnamese entrepreneurs.

On behalf of over 1,000 Keieijuku community members, Mr. Vu Tien Cong, Vice President of Keieijuku Vietnam and CEO of Hoang Vu Inox Group, expressed deep gratitude to the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam, Japanese organizations, Foreign Trade University, VJCC, and program lecturers for their unwavering support. He also thanked the Keieijuku community members for continuously sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and promoting ethical business values, contributing collectively to Vietnam’s development.

The event concluded with the symbolic attachment of an origami crane—a cultural symbol of Japan—to the traditional flag of the Keieijuku community, signifying aspirations for continued growth and advancement.

As part of the series of programs, the seminar "Joining Hands to Build the Nation" was organized, featuring insights from lecturers, experts, and Keiers. The event included: Inspirational stories from successful alumni: Mr. Nguyen Trong Thuong - General Director of ETEK Automation, Kei 10 Hanoi alumnus; Mr. Chu Quoc Dat – Chairman of Dai A Industry Joint Stock Company, Kei 8 Hanoi alumnus; Intra-community business networking among Keieijuku Vietnam: signing business cooperation agreements; A roundtable discussion on the topic "Keieijuku Go Global: Challenges and Opportunities," moderated by Mr. Nguyen Dao Vinh - Vice President of the Keieijuku Vietnam Community, Chairman of Vina Valve Joint Stock Company, with contributions from Mr. Kinoshita Tadahiro - General Director of Sojitz Vietnam, Keieijuku Program Lecturer; JICA expert Toda Chosaku - Former General Director, Head of the U.S. Market at Panasonic Corporation, Keieijuku Program Lecturer; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hien - President of the Vietnam - Japan Institute for Human Resource Development.

A highlight of the anniversary program was the "Path of Gratitude" exhibition area and booths showcasing outstanding Keieijuku enterprises. The exhibition attracted nearly 400 delegates, lecturers, experts, Vietnamese and Japanese entrepreneurs, and, most notably, the participation of 240 alumni and students of the Keieijuku Program from cohorts 1 to 21, spanning the three regions of Vietnam: North, Central, and South.