In the early days of Duy Tan University, many staff members and outsiders usually referred to the school as a stork. Some implied the humbleness and hardships of the first private university, others meant the hardworking nature of its staff and faculty, or even more uniquely, some others referred to the legendary nickname “Little Stork” of the founder Le Cong Co, given by his comrades during the Vietnam War.
Whatever meanings it may have, the stork is always in beautiful image in Vietnamese culture, commonly found in many Vietnamese folk songs (“Con cò lặn lội bờ ao”, “Con cò bay lả bay la”, “Cò bay thẳng cánh”, …). This image is also associated with that of kind, honest and diligent Vietnamese farmers, typical of people in Central Vietnam.
Even though the stork image had been along with Duy Tan University for many years, it only became its official mascot in 2006 under the suggestion of Mr. Le Nguyen Bao, Vice Provost of Duy Tan University. The aim was to use it as a cheerleading and supporting symbol in any sport or academic competition of DTU. The mascot design was sketched by Mr. Le Nguyen Bao and completed by the school artist Le Minh Quan in only 2 days. The slogan associated with this mascot is: “Go Stork!”
