Associate Professor Nguyen Thi Kim Anh’s Speech at the Third Cohort NOMA-FAME Diploma Ceremony
Nha Trang, June 11th 2011
Distinguished Dr. Do Van Ninh, Prof. Monica Sundset and Prof. Jan Eirik Killie 32ce3c95-d504-4d73-b647-ac249025fbe3 SMS
Parents, spouses, family members and friendsb2827b79-12d2-4bd3-8d4e-289b1356fa4f SMS
Ladies and Gentlemen
Associate Professor Nguyen Thi Kim Anh
Dear NOMA - FAME masters
It gives me great pleasure to speak at this important and memorable occasion – the graduation ceremony of NOMA – FAME cohort 3. I would like to convey my warm greetings to all of you, and especially congratulate you for your Master’s Degree in Fisheries and Aquaculture Economics and Management. I always become elated whenever I see young and beautiful people succeed in life.
Nha Trang University and University of Tromso are celebrating your great achievement during your last two years. You should find happiness and peace in your heart on completion on this difficult stage. An important chapter in your life and work has been completed and you should be proud of your success.
The graduation should first and foremost be a day of celebration as you have fulfilled an important task in your life and you receive a certificate validating the knowledge and skills you have mastered.
Ladies and Gentlemen
Dear NOMA FAME masters
Vietnam and some developing countries in Asia have large areas of sea and wetlands with an abundance of fisheries and aquaculture species and products for development. In fact, these sectors already make a considerable contribution towards poverty alleviation, through export and domestic contribution and have been given high priority by Governments as key sectors in the drive towards economic and sustainable development.
It is wonderful that you young and energetic graduates are interested in the business of providing food efficiently for human survival. I would like to applaud you for your success and determination, and welcome you to the addition of new human capital directed towards the development of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. Definitely in order to maintain sustainable development of our fisheries and aquaculture sectors that provide clean and safe products, these sectors really need your contribution, based on your knowledge and skills of managing environment and aquatic resources.
Your field of specialization, Fisheries and Aquaculture Economics and Management is an important one and it gives us strong guidance on how to achieve sustainable fisheries and aquaculture development. The importance of these sectors is highlighted when you successfully defended your master thesis.
In a while you will receive your diploma which indicates your study success. I ask you to consider that wherever you go, Nha Trang University and University of Tromso will be judged on your performance based on your education here.
On behalf of the NOMA – FAME program, I would like to congratulate your parents, husbands, wives and friends for assisting you in your growth and development. By working hard and by succeeding, you have made them proud.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the funding agency - The Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Higher Education (SIU), and the government of Vietnam for being so generous in providing support to this institution and for your education; thank University of Tromso for their cooperation and strong contribution to NOMA – FAME project; thank all your lecturers and staff who prepared you for admission to and completing this rigorous program. Likewise, I would like to thank Nha Trang University, Administrators, Faculty and Staff who helped provide this enabling environment which guaranteed your success. Especially, I would like to thank the NOMA -FAME coordinators for your excellent and successful cooperation during the last two years.
Dear NOMA-FAME masters
I would like to give you a few tips for a more successful life and career. You may begin life a-new today.
You should set yourself goals to achieve-what you have decided years ago. One of the biggest goals is a desire to help others and cooperate with others. You cannot prosper while others around you lay hungry and are starving. Your collaboration and willingness to serve can lift up your fellow human beings out of the challenges and difficulties of a meager existence.
You should go out and face the challenge head on, even though at first it is frightening. The road to success is often difficult; accept the challenge warmly because you have been chosen for this challenge. You have been nurtured for two years and now is the time to go out and show the world what you have gotten.
Just keep trying! Never give up, never, never give up! Because the only person that can stop you is – you. You have only failed when you have never tried.
The first thing you have to be, however, is to be yourself and appreciate your achievement. When you like what you are and satisfied with yourself you can help others.
"The person who you are with most in life is yourself and if you don’t like yourself you are always with somebody you don’t like." Be happy with yourself and believe that you can make a difference.
I wish you success, go out and make a difference!