On January 8, 2025, the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA) held a ceremony to announce decisions regarding personnel appointments at APAG. The event was chaired by Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang, Member of the Politburo, HCMA President, and Chairman of the Central Council on Theoretical Studies.
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang, Member of the Politburo, HCMA President, and Chairman of the Central Council on Theoretical Studies, delivered the keynote address at the ceremony.
The ceremony was attended by members of the HCMA Board of Directors and Standing Committee of the Party Committee, representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs, heads of various units within the HCMA headquarters, and leaders and staff from the following: Department of Training Management; Institute of Philosophy; Institute of Human Rights; Institute of Leadership Studies and Public Policy; Institute of Economics; Institute of Sociology and Development; Institute of International Relations; Institute of Political Studies; Board of Directors and Party Committee of the Academy of Journalism and Communication; Board of Directors and Party Committee of the National Academy of Public Administration; Leadership teams of affiliated units under the National Academy of Public Administration.
According to Decision No. 214-QĐ/TW dated December 28, 2024, issued by the Politburo, HCMA, after assuming the functions and responsibilities of the Central Councils (Central Council on Theoretical Studies; Central Council for Literary and Artistic Criticism; and the Scientific Council of Central Party Organizations), as well as merging with the National Academy of Public Administration, reduced its departmental-level units by 23, from 54 prior to the merger to 31 afterward.
The organizational structure of HCMA now comprises nine functional units, 16 research and teaching institutes, information and publishing centers, and six affiliated academies. Among the six affiliated academies, NAPA, after the merger, has been restructured as the Academy of Administration and Public Governance (APAG). APAG is headquartered in Hanoi, with one branch in Ho Chi Minh City and another in Quang Nam Province.
Delegates of the ceremony.
An overview of the ceremony.
At the ceremony, under the authorization of the HCMA President, the representative of the HCMA Department of Organization and Personnel announced the following appointments:
1. Leaders of the Academy of Public Administration and Governance (comprising one President and five Vice Presidents):
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien, NAPA President, was appointed as President of the Academy of Public Administration and Governance (APAG);
- Dr. Nguyen Dang Que, NAPA Vice President, was appointed as APAG Vice President;
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Luong Thanh Cuong, NAPA Vice President, was appointed as APAG Vice President;
- Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quoc Suu, NAPA Vice President, was appointed as APAG Vice President;
- Dr. Bui Phuong Dinh, Director of the Institute of Sociology and Development, was reassigned and appointed as APAG Vice President;
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thanh Giang, Vice President of the Academy of Journalism and Communication, was reassigned and appointed as APAG Vice President.
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang presented the appointment decisions to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien, APAG President.
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang presented the appointment decisions to the APAG Board of Directors.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duy Bac, Deputy Secretary of the HCMA Party Committee and HCMA Standing Vice President, congratulated the APAG Board of Directors.
2. Leaders of the Institute of Socio-Economic and Environmental Studies (comprising one Director General and 03 Deputy Director Generals):
- Dr. Bui Van Huyen, Director General of the Institute of Economics, was appointed as Director General of the Institute of Socio-Economic and Environmental Studies.
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dinh Thi Nga, Deputy Director General of the Institute of Economics, was appointed as Deputy Director General of the Institute of Socio-Economic and Environmental Studies.
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quoc Thai, Deputy Director General of the Institute of Economics, was appointed as Deputy Director General of the Institute of Socio-Economic and Environmental Studies.
- Dr. Do Van Quan, Deputy Director General of the Institute of Sociology and Development, was appointed as Deputy Director General of the Institute of Socio-Economic and Environmental Studies.
3. Leaders of the Institute of Politics and International Relations (comprising one Director General and 03 Deputy Director Generals)
- Dr. Dao Ngoc Bau, Director General of the Institute of International Relations, was appointed as Director General of the Institute of Politics and International Relations.
- Dr. Bui Viet Huong, Deputy Director General of the Institute of International Relations, was appointed as Deputy Director General of the Institute of Politics and International Relations.
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Thi Xuyen, Deputy Director General of the Institute of Political Studies, was appointed as Deputy Director General of the Institute of Politics and International Relations.
- Dr. Tran Mai Hung, Deputy Director General of the Institute of Political Studies, was appointed as Deputy Director General of the Institute of Politics and International Relations.
4. Other appointments
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Luu Van Quang, Director General of the Institute of Political Studies, was reassigned and appointed as Vice President of the Academy of Journalism and Communication.
- Dr. Lai Duc Vuong, Vice President of the National Academy of Public Administration, was reassigned and appointed as Deputy Director General of the Department of Training and Refresher Training Management.
- Dr. Le Thi Thanh Ha, Deputy Director General of the Institute of Sociology and Development, was reassigned and appointed as Deputy Director General of the Institute of Philosophy.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang congratulated the units receiving decisions on their functions and tasks, along with 18 officials appointed to leadership and management positions in HCMA units as per Decision No. 214-QĐ/TW.
He emphasized that the ceremony marked the culmination of active efforts and collaboration among all units within the HCMA system, as well as the newly merged and integrated units. He urged the appointees to thoroughly understand their functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure to develop plans for implementing their responsibilities. This includes fulfilling requirements in training, refresher training, academic research, policy advising, institutional development, international cooperation, and coordination with other units both within and outside the HCMA system.
For the Academy of Public Administration and Governance, he requested immediate planning and restructuring to build a competent team of staff capable of meeting the APAG’s mission. He stressed the importance of developing APAG with a new spirit, focusing not only on public administration but also on national development governance. He called for standardizing state management curricula across political schools, enhancing cooperation with political schools nationwide, and improving the quality of staff in terms of both structure and quantity. Staff development should include a mix of experienced senior lecturers and dynamic, creative younger faculty to keep pace with societal changes.
Regarding academic research, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang emphasized its role in summarizing practices and perfecting theories on state management and sustainable development issues. Research topics should be grounded in the nation’s realities, aligning external inputs with internal needs. He stressed unity and fairness in pursuing common goals and avoiding divisive attitudes like “our side vs. their side.” Tasks such as planning, arranging, and assigning personnel must be carried out cohesively. Leaders should set an example, fostering the HCMA’s cultural values among staff and officials during task implementation. Ongoing projects must proceed without interruption to ensure continuous development.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien, APAG President, delivered a speech at the ceremony.
Representing the appointees, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien expressed gratitude for the trust of the HCMA Party Committee and the Board of Directors, as well as the support and cooperation of functional units, specialized institutes, and the collective leadership. He acknowledged that the appointment is both an honor and a significant challenge and responsibility before the collective.
In his new role, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien pledged to dedicate his efforts and intellect to building a united and developing institution, fostering a work environment characterized by collaboration, sharing, and accountability. He expressed his hope for continued leadership and guidance from the HCMA Party Committee and the Board of Directors, as well as support and cooperation from colleagues, officials, civil servants, and lecturers to successfully fulfill the assigned tasks in the coming time.
APAG delegates at the ceremony.
