Attending the reception along with Rector Hoang Anh Tuan, the representatives from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Long (Head of the Faculty of Tourism Studies), Dr. Vu Huong Lan (Vice Head of the Faculty), Prof. Inagaki Tsutomu (Visiting Professor of the Faculty of Tourism Studies since 2017, former Head of the Faculty of Tourism, Rikkyo University, Japan), and Ms. Pham Cham Anh (Deputy Head of the Scientific Research Management Department).
Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Tsuchimoto Amane expressed his gratitude for the warm and cordial welcome extended by the University to the delegation. He shared: During many working sessions between the Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi and Mr. Takebe Tsutomu, Special Advisor to the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Alliance, both sides exchanged and shared many ideas for cooperation with units under the Vietnam National University, Hanoi, such as the establishment of a Japanese Culture, Language and Technology Center; as well as the development of human resources in fields related to Nursing, Tourism, Culture, etc. To realize the contents of the discussions, as well as to promote and implement these ideas, the JICA representative in Hanoi and the region wishes to meet and exchange directly with the University and the leadership of the Faculty of Tourism on cooperation plans and implementation in the near future.
Mr. Tsuchimoto Amane (Representative of JICA Office in Vietnam) discussed the project to establish a Japanese Culture, Language and Technology Center and expressed his desire to hear opinions from the leadership and tourism experts of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
During today's meeting, the JICA delegation expressed their desire for the school to share information about the current situation, achievements, and challenges in training human resources for the tourism industry, as well as opportunities for cooperation between the two sides in the future.
Rector Hoang Anh Tuan supports and highly appreciates the idea of establishing a Center for Japanese Culture, Language, and Technology at the Vietnam-Japan University, with the main activities being organizing training courses on Japanese language and culture, and providing career counseling and guidance for students in the fields of tourism, nursing, technology, etc. Currently, within the Vietnam National University, Hanoi, the Faculty of Tourism Studies of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities is the only unit that provides systematic and high-quality training in Tourism Studies. When the Center for Japanese Culture, Language, and Technology is officially established, the University's Board of Directors commits to supporting and promoting cooperation between the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the Center in teaching Japanese as well as training human resources for the tourism industry.
Rector Hoang Anh Tuan delivered a speech at the reception for the JICA delegation visiting and working with the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
Associate Professor Pham Hong Long, Head of the Faculty of Tourism Studies, gave an overview of the Faculty's establishment, training programs, and some areas of potential cooperation. He shared that the Faculty of Tourism Studies at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities is the first institution in Vietnam to offer tourism studies programs at all three levels: bachelor's, master's, and doctoral. Each year, the Faculty enrolls nearly 200 students in two majors: Tourism and Travel Service Management and Hotel Management. With the knowledge and skills acquired at the University, as well as strong foreign language abilities, graduates have very broad career opportunities: pursuing higher education domestically or abroad; working at research centers and institutes, government agencies, ministries managing tourism, or private, joint-venture, and foreign companies in the tourism and travel sector. Every year, the Faculty of Tourism Studies implements highly effective collaborative activities in student and faculty exchange, organizing short-term courses, or receiving students for internships and practical training with many universities and educational organizations around the world and in the region, including some schools in Japan.
Students of the Faculty, both during their studies and after graduation, aspire to study and work at universities and businesses in Japan, thereby increasing their income and having opportunities for exchange and learning abroad, as well as improving their foreign language skills. However, currently, most students still do not meet the required Japanese language proficiency because they mainly use English during their studies at the Faculty. Therefore, through the connecting role of the JICA Office in Vietnam, the University and the Faculty of Tourism Studies hope to cooperate with more Japanese partners in teaching Japanese and training in the field of tourism.
Delegates participating in the JICA working group exchanged views and proposed several areas for cooperation: organizing Japanese language classes, establishing links and cooperating with companies and businesses in Japan, or Japanese businesses in Vietnam to support skills training for students, and connecting a large number of students to have opportunities to study and improve their skills in Japan.
At the end of the working session, representatives from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities affirmed that the university always prioritizes and focuses on expanding cooperation with domestic and international partners in the fields of training and scientific research, increasing practical opportunities and internships abroad for students not only in the tourism industry but also in other fields. Currently, an increasing number of students and lecturers are interested in learning Japanese and understanding Japanese culture to support their studies and work. It is hoped that in the future, with the support of the JICA Office in Vietnam, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, as well as other units within the Vietnam National University, Hanoi, will have effective cooperation with Japanese partners in training human resources, career orientation, and increasing employment opportunities for students after graduation.
Some photos from the working session.
