The Border Guard Academy’s Party Committee and Directorate have attached much importance to closely associating the study and application of Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, ethics, and lifestyle with the enhancement of education and training quality. Comprehensive and synchronised measures have yielded practical results, contributing to the development of a highly qualified workforce that meets the requirements of building a modern, “adept, compact, strong” Army.

Deeply imbued with President Ho Chi Minh’s directive that  “…it is necessary to strive to build our military into a strong People’s Army, a revolutionary army that advances directly to regularity and modernisation”, as well as his guidance for the Border Guard Force on “Solidarity, vigilance; integrity, thrift, diligence; task fulfilment, bravery, sacrifice for the nation, absolute loyalty to the Party, and single-minded dedication to the people”, the Border Guard Academy’s Party Committee and Directorate have, in recent years, focused on effectively implementing the study and practice of Uncle Ho’s teachings. This effort has been closely linked to the innovation and the enhancement of education and training quality, yielding significant positive outcomes. Teaching, learning, management, and training activities have been systematically and rigorously organised, while collaboration in education has been expanded. The curriculum and training programs have been reviewed, adjusted, updated, and supplemented in line with practical requirements and the mission of safeguarding national sovereignty and border security. The teaching and educational management staff have been consolidated quantitatively and qualitatively. Scientific research has been standardised. Annually, all trainees at the academy meet graduation requirements, with 80% - 86% achieving good or excellent results. Graduates possess strong political resolve and readiness to undertake and successfully fulfil their duties, thereby contributing to the steadfast defence of national sovereignty and border security.

Graduation ceremony for cadets of the Academy (photo: qdnd.vn)

At present, to meet the requirements of education and training, the Academy’s Party Committee and Directorate are implementing comprehensive and synchronised measures based on the Central Military Commission’s Resolution 1657-NQ/QUTW (dated 20 December 2022) and the Border Guard Force Party Committee’s Resolution 776-NQ/ĐU (dated 24 March 2023) on reforming education and training to meet the requirements of the new situation. Emphasis is placed on effectively studying and following Uncle Ho’s teachings in conjunction with improving education and training quality, serving as a driving force for the Academy to successfully fulfil its mission.

In conformity with Uncle Ho’s teaching that “clear ideology leads to effective action, whereas ambiguous thinking results in failure”, the Border Guard Academy’s Party Committee and Directorate prioritise raising awareness and responsibility among officers, lecturers, cadets, employees, and soldiers regarding the objectives, requirements, and tasks of education and training in the new situation. Consideration is given to ensuring that key leaders and heads of departments, faculties, and units fully grasp the purpose, significance, content, and requirements of studying and following Ho Chi Minh’s teachings in conjunction with innovating and improving education and training quality. To this end, the Academy actively promotes propagation and education through flexible, diverse approaches tailored to different subjects. At the same time, efforts are intensified to guide and manage ideological orientation at all levels, promptly identifying and correcting misconceptions, distortions, and superficial formalities in education and training. The Academy continues to leverage the role of its Steering Board 35 and Task Force 47 in safeguarding the Party's ideological foundation while equipping officers and cadets with strong political will and skills to counter erroneous and hostile viewpoints. Through these efforts, the Academy fosters motivation among graduates to maintain their firm political will and remain resilient against all temptations.

Deeply understanding Uncle Ho’s teaching that “cadres are the root of all work” and that “without teachers, there is no education”, the Border Guard Academy's Party Committee and Directorate focus on building a team of lecturers and education managers with necessary qualities and capabilities to meet mission requirements. In addition to sending its officers and lecturers to military and civilian institutions for advanced training, the Academy regularly organises competitions for excellent lecturers and officers, as well as training sessions on border defence operations, pedagogy, foreign languages, and information technology to enhance their overall competencies. Special attention is paid to instilling the values of “diligence, thrift and integrity"” into faculties and staff. The Academy encourages self-study and self-research while creating a favourable working environment and adopting policies that attract capable and experienced personnel. Additionally, officers and lecturers are periodically rotated and sent for fieldwork, particularly in handling complex situations in border areas and collaborating with other forces in counter-narcotics operations. As a result, their practical knowledge continues to improve, laying a foundation for the Academy’s goal of achieving, by 2030, a fully qualified faculty and management team, with over 85% having field experience, 30% of lecturers and 10% of education managers holding doctoral degrees, and 15 to 20 associate professors, outstanding teachers, and people’s teachers. This workforce will serve as the backbone of the Academy’s efforts to innovate and enhance education, training, and scientific research in the new situation.

Upholding Uncle Ho’s teachings on “closely integrating learning with practice, theory with reality”, the Academy's Party Committee and Directorate continuously review, adjust, and refine training programs with an approach centred on “standardisation and modernisation.” Following the principle that “the quality of education determines the combat readiness capacity of units”, the Academy aims to “bring the border into the Academy and align training content with the real-world missions of the Border Guard Force”. This is achieved by effectively implementing the principle of “teaching with substance, learning with substance, and evaluating with substance”. Training programs are regularly updated to reduce theoretical periods and increase practical exercises and night-time training, closely aligned with the duties of the Border Guard Force. Out-dated or impractical content is systematically removed. Additionally, the Academy invites experts for lectures and experience-sharing sessions and collaborates with provincial Border Guard commands to bring field officers for specialised briefings, thereby equipping cadres, lecturers, and cadets with practical knowledge. These efforts ensure that education and training remain closely connected to the real-world responsibilities of safeguarding national sovereignty and border security. Following President Ho Chi Minh’s teachings on “advancing science, technology, and professional skills, fostering creativity, daring to think and to act, and actively learning and applying innovative solutions”, the Academy’s Party Committee and Directorate consistently promote scientific research and application to enhance education and training quality. To this end, the Academy regularly strengthens its scientific councils, focuses on training and developing human resources for scientific and technological advancement, and fosters innovation. Strong partnerships are established with research institutions both inside and outside the Military. Scientific research is systematically planned and implemented at all levels, linking the accountability of unit commanders with research results. Its affiliates actively explore and apply advancements in information technology, simulation technology, and digital technology to education and training. These initiatives contribute to the gradual development of a smart, modern Academy with a well-structured and effective system, positioning it as a reputable centre for training and scientific research within the Border Guard Force and the Military.

Implementing Uncle Ho’s teachings that “educational culture must develop strongly to meet the needs of the revolution”, the Border Guard Academy prioritises building an exemplary pedagogical cultural environment, recognising it as a foundation and driving force for the improved quality of education and training. To achieve this, the Academy consistently fosters positive and healthy relationships, particularly sincere unity and mutual support between superiors and subordinates, as well as between lecturers, education managers, and cadets. The Academy closely integrates the study and application of Uncle Ho’s teachings with the Determined to Win Emulation Movement and other initiatives and campaigns across various levels and sectors. It effectively maintains and promotes key programs and models, such as “Model Lectures”, “Exemplary Teaching Weeks”, and “The Youth of the Border Guard Academy: cultivating virtue, honing talent, and taking the lead, to build a regular, advanced, and exemplary Academy”. Additionally, the Academy focuses on investing resources in modernising infrastructure and training equipment, ensuring the effective utilisation of lecture halls, training fields, command centres, and digital libraries for teaching, learning, scientific research, and operational management. It also enhances campus landscaping to maintain a green, clean, and beautiful environment, contributing to the development of a healthy pedagogical culture and a well-regulated, exemplary academy. At the Border Guard Academy, studying and following Uncle Ho’s teachings alongside improving education quality has become a widespread, practical, and effective movement. Those efforts are crucial to building a comprehensively strong Academy capable of successfully fulfilling its mission to train Border Guard officers who are “willing to sacrifice their life for the nation, absolutely loyal to the Party and single-mindedly dedicated to the people” in line with Uncle Ho’s teachings.

Maj. Gen., Associate Prof. NGUYEN THAI SINH, PhD

Political Commissar of the Border Guard Academy