Also attending the meeting were the head of the Cooperation and Development Department, the Faculty of International Studies, and Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Quang Hung, lecturer in the Faculty of Philosophy.
At the beginning of the exchange, Ms. Virginie Pesant expressed her gratitude for the warm and formal welcome extended by the University to the delegation. She shared: Previously, Laval University and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities had signed a cooperation agreement, but due to the objective impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, some contents have not been implemented or have not been implemented effectively over the past two years. Therefore, this is the appropriate time for both sides to review the cooperation contents and sign a specific agreement to ensure effective implementation.
On behalf of the University's Board of Directors, Associate Professor Dr. Lai Quoc Khanh expressed gratitude for Laval University's interest in the University and shared: Religious issues are a major concern in Vietnam, attracting research interest from scholars both domestically and internationally. As a leading institution in Vietnam for training and research in the social sciences and humanities, we have proactively developed a comprehensive and in-depth curriculum on religious studies. Recently, the University established an independent department, the Department of Religious Studies, offering undergraduate and doctoral programs in religion. Furthermore, the University has a Center for Contemporary Religious Studies. Every year, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities welcomes numerous professors and scientists from educational institutions and research centers on religion worldwide for guest lectures and academic exchanges, and has successfully organized many international conferences.
Professor Jean-Philippe Perreault highly praised the achievements of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in training, scientific research, and policy consulting on religion, politics, and culture. Therefore, we are very much looking forward to cooperating with the University in student exchange programs, sending experts to participate in training and scientific research activities, or jointly implementing international projects and scientific conferences on religious issues.
Dr. Vu Anh Thu (Deputy Head of the Department of International Studies) and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Hung (Lecturer in the Department of Philosophy) expressed strong agreement with the proposals from experts at Laval University. Expanding the signing of agreements with educational organizations and universities worldwide that conduct research in social sciences is of great significance, not only leveraging the strengths of both sides but also creating broader opportunities for students to study, research, and interact with international peers. Through this, it contributes to promoting culture and strengthening friendship between Vietnam and Canada.
Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Quang Hung shared that the University of Social Sciences and Humanities will organize an international conference in July this year, attracting experts from Japan, South Korea, and Asia, and hopes to invite experts from Laval University to participate.
Concluding the meeting, Vice Rector Lai Quoc Khanh affirmed: "On behalf of the University's Board of Directors, I would like to thank Laval University for its interest, as well as the individual professors and scientists, and I commit to supporting and promoting these cooperative activities. Furthermore, with many years of research and management experience in the fields of politics, religion, and culture, I highly appreciate the feasibility and significance of the specific cooperation proposals that the two sides have just discussed. After today's meeting, the two sides will proceed to sign cooperation documents for each specific content: student and expert exchange, organizing international seminars and conferences, developing curricula and monographs as teaching materials for Vietnamese and foreign students. The University of Social Sciences and Humanities is a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary training institution, therefore, in addition to the fields of religion, politics, and culture, in the future, we can expand cooperation to many other fields where both sides have needs."
The delegates attending the meeting posed for a commemorative photo.
