Overview of the meeting and cooperation exchange between the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the University of Gdansk (Poland).
Delegates from Gdansk University (Poland)
On the part of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, the meeting was also attended by representatives from the Psychology, International Studies, and History departments, as well as the Cooperation and Development office.
Rector Hoang Anh Tuan expressed his gratitude for welcoming Professor Piotr Stepnowski (Rector of Gdansk University), Professor Anna Jurkowska-Zaidler (Vice Rector), and many lecturers, scientists, and experts in the fields of cultural studies, psychology, and social sciences from Gdansk University to visit the University. Introducing the history and strengths of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Rector Hoang Anh Tuan emphasized: “The University of Social Sciences and Humanities was officially established in 1995, a core member of the Vietnam National University, Hanoi, with 80 years of history dating back to the Faculty of Literature, established by President Ho Chi Minh himself in 1945. Throughout its formation and development, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities has consistently affirmed its position and mission as a leading institution in training high-quality, highly skilled human resources; researching, creating, and disseminating knowledge in social sciences and humanities. Besides maintaining and developing academic basic science disciplines, VNU-USSH is also a pioneer in establishing several new, applied, and internationally integrated training programs and specializations. Alongside its achievements in training, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities is also a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research institution with a high-quality workforce, with over 80% of its staff being highly qualified.” Many faculty members hold doctoral degrees, with approximately 20% holding associate professor or professor titles; numerous lecturers and scientists are top experts and leaders in various fields. Expanding international cooperation in training and research is also a key strategy to successfully achieve the goal of making VNU-USSH a research university, ranking among the top 100 universities in Asia and 500 universities worldwide by 2035.
Currently, the University has established cooperative relationships with over 200 prestigious universities, research institutes, and educational organizations in the region and around the world. We expect that, with the strengths and commonalities in training programs between the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the University of Gdansk, many concrete cooperation programs will be successfully implemented in the future.”
Representing the delegation from Gdansk University, Rector Professor Piotr Stepnowski expressed his sincere gratitude for the warm and cordial reception extended by Professor Hoang Anh Tuan and the leaders of the faculties of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. Expressing his admiration for the rich tradition and achievements of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Professor Piotr Stepnowski shared: “Based on the Rector's remarks, we recognize the similarities between the two universities in training and scientific research, especially in the fields of history, psychology, and cultural studies. Our delegation visiting the University of Social Sciences and Humanities includes many experts in clinical psychology, family psychology, gender and multicultural studies, and educational innovation… Therefore, I hope that after today's meeting, both sides will strengthen their cooperation and successfully implement many concrete programs.”
The delegates attending the meeting exchanged views and proposed several areas that the two sides could implement in the near future: student and faculty exchanges, and the organization of research projects, seminars, and scientific conferences.
Experts from the University of Gdansk exchanged information and proposed cooperation related to research in culture, history, archaeology, and psychology between the two universities. Regarding the proposal for student and faculty exchange, Rector Hoang Anh Tuan further shared: The University of Social Sciences and Humanities annually welcomes nearly 1,000 international students from many countries around the world to study and participate in short-term and long-term exchange programs. In addition, the University regularly organizes student and trainee exchange programs at several universities in China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, etc., and these programs are recognized for credit. Every year, VNU-USSH regularly has nearly 40 international professors and experts coming to lecture and give presentations. With that experience, we are very ready to welcome lecturers and students from Gdansk University, and we hope that Gdansk University will create opportunities for VNU-USSH students and lecturers to participate in training programs and improve their professional skills.
Dr. Vu Thi Anh Thu (Deputy Head of the Department of International Studies) fully agreed with and highly appreciated the cooperation proposal from the University of Gdansk, and also hoped that the two sides would expand cooperation programs in the field of research on international relations, and the relationship between Vietnam and Poland in history and in the present day.
Dr. Vu Thi Anh Thu giving a speech
Speaking at the meeting, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Thi Linh (Head of the Psychology Department) expressed her gratitude for the attention, favor, and affection that the University of Gdansk has shown to the University, the Department, and especially to Dr. Joanna Różycka-Tan personally. The University of Social Sciences and Humanities (VNU-USSH) and the University of Gdansk have had a cooperative relationship for many years, demonstrated through visits and academic exchanges between staff from both universities. Most recently, in 2022, five lecturers from VNU-USSH participated in an academic exchange at the University of Gdansk. Also within the framework of cooperation between the two universities, VNU-USSH and the University of Gdansk jointly organized the International Scientific Conference “Healthy Behavior in Modern Society” in 2019.
“We are extremely pleased and confident that after the visit of the leaders of Gdansk University to the University of Social Sciences and Humanities today, the relationship between the two universities will become closer, the scope of cooperation will broaden, and bring many practical values to students and lecturers of both universities,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Thi Linh expressed.
Associate Professor Dr. Trinh Thi Linh delivered a speech.
Regarding the specific cooperation program, Dr. Joanna further shared: “With the aim of not only cooperating in the field of teaching and training but also expanding and enhancing the effectiveness in the field of research, VNU-USSH, the University of Gdansk, and the Institute of Psychology - Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS) have jointly developed a tripartite strategic cooperation program for the period 2024-2026. This tripartite strategic cooperation program has been approved for funding by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange. Accordingly, within the framework of the program, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the University of Gdansk will co-organize an international scientific conference with the theme: “Psychology and Human Development in the Changing World.” The event, scheduled for October 2025 at VNU-USSH, will feature experts from Poland and internationally. Another international scientific conference is also planned for the University of Gdansk in 2026. These conferences will provide an opportunity for research groups to present their research findings, conducted within the framework of this collaboration, to the scientific community both domestically and internationally.
At the end of the meeting, the two sides agreed on several specific areas of cooperation:
- Develop specific plans for student and faculty exchange programs.
- Coordinate the organization of scientific seminars on a rotating basis between Vietnam and Poland.
- Participate in scientific research projects, and publish internationally.
