During the meeting, both sides exchanged views and agreed on the most effective way to continue implementing the "Seed Program for Korean Studies," a project funded by the Ministry of Education of South Korea and led in Vietnam by the Korean Studies Department of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
Associate Professor Dr. Dang Thi Thu Huong - Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, shared that, with its strength as a leading university in the Vietnamese higher education system, VNU-USSH is the first public institution to open a Korean Studies major at the undergraduate level. Students in the Korean Studies major, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities are not only trained in language and culture but also in the economics, politics, and culture of South Korea. With these strengths, the Korean Studies major at VNU-USSH has made strong progress, actively spreading the image of South Korea and its people in Vietnam, contributing to strengthening the cooperative relationship between the two countries.
The collaboration between VNU-USSH and AKS in the “Korean Studies Seed Project” has further strengthened academic exchange between Vietnamese and Korean scientists, as well as developed sustainable projects in Vietnam.
Associate Professor Dr. Dang Thi Thu Huong - Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - highly appreciated AKS's support in the Korean Studies Seed Project.
Accordingly, the "Korean Studies Seed Project" with the theme "Korean Studies in Northern Vietnam: Sharing and Development" will be implemented over 5 years (from April 2023 to October 31, 2027) and has been implemented by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities since 2022, with Dr. Le Thi Thu Giang - Head of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, as the project leader.
Mr. Park DaeYun, Head of Program Planning for the project at the Central Institute for Korean Studies, expressed his gratitude for the goodwill of VNU-USSH in the implementation of the Korean Studies Seed Project.
Expressing admiration for the rich history and outstanding achievements of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mr. Park Dae Yun, Head of the Program Planning Department of the project at the Central Institute for Korean Studies, expressed confidence that the "Korean Studies Seed Project" will achieve positive results in the next phase. Mr. Park Dae Yun also emphasized that VNU-USSH has become a model for effectively implementing this project in the countries it is funding.
The "Korean Studies Seed Project," funded by the Korean Ministry of Education, is being implemented in over 30 countries worldwide. After nearly two years of implementation in Vietnam, the project has achieved some positive results. Aiming to promote the strong development and innovative role of Korean Studies in Vietnam, particularly at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, the project has carried out activities such as: introducing two courses related to Korean Studies into the master's program; recruiting lecturers to teach Korean language and Korean Studies; and conducting teaching activities and Korean cultural experiences.
The project also provides scholarships for students majoring in Korean Studies to nurture and train talent (supporting 5 undergraduate students and 10 master's students in Korean Studies).
As part of the project's activities, lecturers and scientists from the Department of Oriental Studies organized three thematic lectures and cultural experiences for high school students in the northern region; and held four academic research seminars related to Korea for undergraduate and graduate students majoring in Korean Studies and Asian Studies, as well as doctoral candidates researching Korea.
In addition, the project will organize two international scientific conferences to improve the quality of training and research in Korean studies in Vietnam; and develop new materials for research and teaching in Korean studies, including compiling, publishing, and translating a total of five books on this field.
These project activities will continue to be implemented, bringing many benefits to students, trainees, and lecturers of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU Hanoi, as well as spreading the cultural values of South Korea in Vietnam.
The Korea Studies Institute (AKS) is a South Korean government-run educational and research organization established in 1978 with the goal of developing Korean studies research both domestically and internationally. Currently, AKS invests in and supports numerous Korean studies research projects in various fields (establishing Korean studies research centers abroad, seed projects – key projects for universities, etc.) in many countries around the world (Mexico, Italy, China, Vietnam, etc.).
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