Prof. Dr. William M. Bodiford and Prof. Dr. Matthias Hayek: Bringing Japan Closer to Humanity

At the reception, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Thanh Truong shared: According to Times Higher Education announced in October 2023 on rankings by field - World University Ranking by Subjects 2024 (THE WUR by Subjects 2024): The Social Sciences field of VNU increased its ranking to the top 501 - 600 in the world. Also in November 2023, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities completed the 358th AUN-QA accreditation program for 03 training programs, bringing the total number of training programs that have been accredited by AUN-QA to 12.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Thanh Truong sent his warmest thanks to the two professors for dedicating their time and affection to the students and the University of Humanities. The professors' classes not only bring Japan closer to the students of Humanities, but also serve as a bridge to strengthen the relationship between Vietnam and Japan. Prof. Dr. William M. Bodiford shared: the enthusiasm, friendliness and deep understanding of the students create quality and exciting lessons. The two professors hope that in the future they will have the opportunity to work and research with lecturers and scientists at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, not only in the fields of Buddhism and Japanese studies. 
Prof. Dr. Matthias Hayek (Institute for Advanced Study (EPHE), Republic of France) is a specialist in the history of Japanese beliefs and sociology; the history of modern Japanese intellectual society (17th-19th centuries). Graduated with a BA in Philosophy from the prestigious University of Toulouse Le Mirail, University of Paris IV-Sorbonne, and a PhD from the National Institute of Oriental Languages ​​and Civilizations, France (INALCO), he has published many scientific research works, directly contributing to the preservation and maintenance of Japanese cultural and historical values. Some of his prominent works are widely known: "Revisiting the knowledge and practice of the first half of the Modern period - focusing on Baba Nobutake - the scholar of Kyoto" (Forum Nichi Bunken 2017; "Initial globalization of the concept of yokai - Focusing on the yokai of Southern France" ("yokai": demon).
Japanese research topics taught by Prof. Dr. Matthias Hayek include: 
Session 1: "Knowing - Choosing - Abstaining: Japanese divination culture in the Modern period"
Session 2: "Discourse and Interpretation of Natural Changes (Guest Stars) and Earthquakes (Earthquakes) in the second half of the 17th century, early 18th century"
Session 3: "Discovering "Superstition" in the early Modern period"

Prof. Dr. William M. Bodiford (Department of Asian Languages ​​and Cultures, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), USA) is considered a leading expert in Japanese Buddhism research. He focuses on Japanese History and Religion (History of Japan: Medieval, Early Modern, and Modern; Religion of the Tokugawa period, especially aspects of Japanese culture related to writing, printing, secrecy, education, and conversion. In addition, he is an expert on Tendai and Vinaya Buddhist traditions, Shinto, folklore, popular religion, Japanese martial arts, and traditional approaches to physical culture and health. Japanese
studies topics taught by Prof. Dr. William M. Bodiford include:
Session 1: Japanese Religion in Transition (1): Modernization - The Birth of Zen Master Dougen
Session 2: Japanese Religion in Transition (2): The Early Modern Renaissance - Anrakuritsu and Chinese Buddhism
Session 3: Japanese Religion in Transition (3): Medieval - Ise Shrine and Buddhism.

These are activities under the project "Promoting academic exchange between Vietnam - Europe - United States on Japanese studies" sponsored by Toshiba International Exchange Fund (TIFO, Japan) for the University of Social Sciences and Humanities with the main activity being a series of lectures on Japanese studies by Japanese research experts from universities and research institutes in Europe, the United States, and Canada for students, trainees, lecturers and researchers of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.