Opening of the workshop "Lighting the fire to move forward 2025": Convergence of new strengths

The workshop "Lighting the fire to move forward" organized by the EdulightenUp Network of borderless education managers in collaboration with the Institute for Research and Development of Education Management has become an anticipated event of the education community. In 2025, the workshop will return with the theme "GATHER NEW STRENGTHS", continuing the mission of connecting, innovating and spreading advanced educational values.

The workshop provides an opportunity to access practical educational models, innovative ideas and typical case studies from pioneering schools in educational innovation.

Opening of the workshop "Lighting the fire to move forward 2025": Convergence of new strengths

Turn the “impossible into possible”

In her opening speech at the workshop, Ms. Phan Thi Hong Dung, co-founder of the EdulightenUp Borderless Education Managers Network, emphasized: “Education is facing unprecedented changes. Our students today grow up in a world full of volatility and opportunities, where 21st century skills are no longer a distant dream, but a necessity for survival. Therefore, schools are not just places to “teach words” but must become places to sow seeds – seeds of capacity, personality, identity, creativity and compassion. With that spirit, this year’s workshop carries a mission: Igniting faith – Providing tools – Connecting people – Inspiring action”.

Ms. Phan Thi Hong Dung, co-founder of EdulightenUp Borderless Education Managers Network

In the opening ceremony of the workshop, the program "Education Flame", teachers listened to touching stories, arousing the desire to commit, to do differently, to do better every day and turn the "impossible into possible" through the profound sharing about the journey of building a private education model of Teacher Nguyen Xuan Khang, Chairman of the Board of Marie Curie School (Hanoi) from "no house, no money, no people" to a different, humane and widespread education system.

At the workshop, Mr. Khang shared: "At that time, I was very poor. I only had one set of intact clothes to go to class. The students at that time were also poor, but the affection of the students for me was the most precious thing. After many years of struggling with education, with Marie Curie School, from the poorest person in society, Mr. Khang now confidently affirms that he is no longer poor. It is not simply money or noble awards, but the affection, love and gratitude from the students that I have cared for and guided throughout my life."

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

In 2024, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Khang was the one who established the "Nu Village Project". The project aims to provide each student with three million VND per month, until the age of 18, and support other essential needs during the learning process.

In 2022, Marie Curie School taught English online to 2,600 third-grade students in Meo Vac District, Ha Giang Province, until they finished primary school. Faced with a shortage of English teachers in Meo Vac, Mr. Khang spent 6-12 billion VND to support 30 local students to study at university majoring in this subject. Each month, one student is supported with 5 million VND, for 4 years. Previously, 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 majoring 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 for the general high school.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Khang in the program "Educational Flame"

The story of Mr. Khang - a teacher who has experienced hardships in life and is full of compassion has become a beautiful image of dedication and boundless love for the younger generation. He has quietly spread the best things about the teaching profession. It is not only a story about education, but also a living testament to the spirit: "The impossible becomes possible". That teacher proved: there is no need to wait for sufficient conditions, just enough commitment - all barriers can be resolved.

Innovating education with experts

Continuing Mr. Khang's story, the seemingly "impossible to possible" journeys of two teachers, Mr. Nguyen Khac Ly, Vice Principal of Phung Khac Khoan High School (Hanoi) to bring Music into the school and Ms. Truong Thi Hai Yen, Principal of Le Dinh Chinh Primary School (Dak Lak) to build a Happy School in the middle of the Central Highlands mountains and apply AI in education also deeply inspired the leaders and education managers attending the conference.

Accordingly, the 2018 General Education Program requires bringing Music into high schools, many teachers think that it is "impossible" because it will be a formality. However, Mr. Ly faced those initial challenges and built a music model that directly impacts students. To date, 1/3 of the school's students have registered to study this subject.

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

In an area where more than 40% of students are Ede, maintaining student numbers and creating a positive learning environment is not easy, but Ms. Truong Thi Hai Yen, Principal of Le Dinh Chinh Primary School (Dak Lak) is determined to create a "Happy School" in the middle of the Central Highlands mountains. This not only brings joy to learning to students, but also promotes the application of technology and AI in education (in the middle of the Central Highlands mountains).

The seminar series "Lighting the fire to move forward" with the theme "Gather new strengths" was held for 2 days, March 29-30.

At the workshop, delegates visited and directly experienced 21 excellent educational models, focusing on four key areas: Experience & career guidance linked to practice; Education for sustainable development; Application of AI in education; Exploiting unique local resources for education.

In-depth discussions, solving challenges in educational innovation with experts. Discussion sessions with the participation of leading experts to solve current challenges in education with 3 main topics of the Workshop, specifically: Practical career guidance - Connecting students with the future with sharing from Mr. Yoichi Igarashi - Deputy General Director of DENSO Vietnam Co., Ltd.

AI application in education with 2 seminar sessions: The future of education in the AI era - Breakthrough solutions from Microsoft with sharing by Mr. Kieu Manh Toan - Director of Government & Large Enterprises, Microsoft Vietnam, Ms. Nguyen Hong Minh - Network Development Director, Microsoft Global Training Partner - InterEDU; Journey of AI application in education - Expert perspective and experience of an international school with sharing by Mr. Don McNamee - Director of Education Technology, Saigon South International School.

Education linked to local identity: From traditional values to creative breakthroughs with the sharing of Ms. Tong Lien Anh - Deputy Director of the Institute of Lifelong Learning; Representative of the creative education organization Learning through art Laulau Learning Finland in Vietnam and the 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 “Light the Fire Together 2025” conference, with the theme of Converging New Powers, did not start with an academic session, but started with practical experiences: a healthy run for dedication and happiness, and a folk dance connecting passionate hearts with the reason that educators – before passing on the fire – need to be ignited. And the journey of inspiration does not only start from the heart, but also requires health, connection and a positive spirit.

Nearly 240 teachers participated in the journey "Healthy to contribute and happy" as part of the event series "Lighting the fire to move forward" in 2025 of the Borderless Education Management Network.