Implementing cooperation with the Japan Network of Humanities Research Institutions

Attending the signing ceremony, on the Japanese side were Ms. Chuma Ai (Second Secretary of the Cultural Affairs Department, Embassy of Japan in Vietnam), Mr. Ando Toshiki (Director of the Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam), Prof. Hirakawa Minami (Director of the Japan Network of Humanities Research Institutions) and professors of the network; on the Vietnamese side were Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh (Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities), Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Tung (Director of the Institute of Vietnamese Studies and Development Sciences) and professors, scientists, lecturers and students of the University.

Ms. Chuma Ai said that the good development of relations between Vietnam and Japan in general is a good condition for academic institutions of the two countries to implement educational cooperation.

Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh introduced the long tradition and position of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and thanked NIHU for choosing the School as an academic exchange partner.

Prof. Hirakawa Minami expressed his hope for the development of joint research projects between the two institutions that share a great interest in Social Sciences and Humanities.

Speaking at the ceremony, representatives of the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam and the two signatories highly appreciated the significance of this event in promoting humanities research, as well as deepening the friendly relationship between the people of Vietnam and Japan. The representatives emphasized that, in addition to the political, economic and social fields, the Vietnam-Japan educational relationship has been developing very well. This relationship has a solid foundation from the Vietnam-Japan academic exchange that has been painstakingly cultivated for decades by previous generations of teachers and scientists. Among them was the late Professor Phan Huy Le (Vice President of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association), a historian who has made great contributions to groundbreaking research on cultural exchange in the history of the two countries. For the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the Japan Network of Humanities Research Institutions, the signing of this cooperation memorandum will be a stepping stone for cooperation, continuing the unfinished journey of previous generations.

After the opening speech, the leaders of the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding, agreeing to implement educational cooperation through the exchange of scientists and researchers; exchange of learning materials and facilities; and conducting joint research.

Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh andProf. Hirakawa Minami exchanged minutes of cooperation and souvenirs

Representatives of both sides took souvenir photos with students of the School

In the afternoon of the same day, the International Scientific Conference “Japan-Vietnam Cooperation in the Field of Humanities in the Context of Globalization” was also held by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and NIHU, with sponsorship from the Japan Foundation. The conference presented and summarized the research results of scientists from both sides on the culture, history and people of Vietnam and Japan.

In his opening speech, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim (Party Secretary, Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) hoped that the conference would be a forum for researchers to exchange research results and build better understanding between the two academic institutions.

Papers presented at the workshop: “Buddhism and Bibliographical Culture of Vietnam and Japan”, “Practice and implementation of Japanese cultural research in Vietnam”, “The role of women in promoting cultural heritage: The case of Matsusaka indigo heritage”, “Learning Japanese vocabulary by Vietnamese people”, “The flow of people moving in the Japanese empire”, “The process of relief and promotion of cultural and historical documents of areas damaged by natural disasters”, “What is future design?”, “Thang Long capital and the design of citadels in the East Asia region”.

Professor Unno Keisuke (National Institute of Literature, Japan) presented on "Buddhist Tradition and Bibliographic Culture of Vietnam and Japan"

Prof. Araki Hiroshi (Deputy Director of the Center for International Studies on Japan) presented on "Practice and implementation of Japanese cultural research in Vietnam"

Associate Professor, Dr. Phan Hai Linh (Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities) presented on "The role of women in promoting cultural heritage: The case of Matsusaka indigo heritage"

The Network of Japanese Humanities Research Institutions (NIHU) was established in April 2004 and is one of the major inter-university research institutions in Japan with more than 300 members. NIHU sets out its mission to take the lead in promoting research in humanities and social sciences, aiming to solve important problems of humanity in the 21st century. NIHU has been cooperating in the field of humanities research with 17 partners worldwide. The network includes 6 affiliated institutions: National Museum of History, National Museum of Ethnology, National Institute of Literature, National Language Research Institute, Japan International Cultural Research Center, and Institute for Integrated Research on the Global Environment.