On the upcoming June 7, Fulbright University Vietnam will proudly welcome Amanda Nguyễn as the Commencement Speaker at its 2025 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony.
Amanda Nguyễn is an astronaut and activist. Her bioastronautics research focuses on women’s health. For drafting and passing the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Rights Act in the United States and advocating for it at the United Nations, she was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize and named TIME Woman of the Year. At NASA, she contributed to the Kepler exoplanet mission and the final shuttle mission. Amanda was a fellow at MIT and graduated from Harvard University.
In April, Amanda made history by becoming the first female astronaut of Vietnamese and Southeast Asian descent. Vietnam’s Ambassador to the United States, Mr. Nguyen Quoc Dung, attended the launch and delivered a letter from President Luong Cuong. In the letter, the President expressed his joy and pride, affirming the talent and intellect of the Vietnamese people in America and around the world. He also noted that 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United States, and praised Amanda’s cooperation with the Vietnam National Space Center as an important contribution to strengthening scientific collaboration and friendship between the two nations.
She has consistently shown deep love for her Vietnamese heritage, even carrying 169 lotus seeds into space as symbols of life, wisdom, and the Vietnamese spirit. She often wears the traditional áo dài at major international events, in media appearances, and during advocacy campaigns, helping to share Vietnamese culture with the world.
Her story, drawing strength from her Vietnamese heritage while achieving global milestones, aligns seamlessly with Fulbright’s mission and this year’s Commencement theme: “Roots & Wings.” With the tagline “Our roots keep us strong, Our wings set us far.” This theme reflects the essence of a Fulbright education: nurturing students with strong intellectual, ethical, and cultural foundations to confidently and purposefully rise into the world. It celebrates how each student’s journey is grounded in the values of liberal arts and Vietnamese identity, preparing them not just for careers but for meaningful lives. The Class of 2025 graduates with deep roots in Vietnamese culture, knowledge, community, and purpose—ready to shape a better future for Vietnam and the world.
