Overview of the meeting to discuss cooperation between the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the University of Gdansk (Poland)
Delegates from the University of Gdansk (Poland)
On behalf of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, the meeting was also attended by representatives of the departments of Psychology, International Studies, History and the Department of Cooperation and Development.
Rector Hoang Anh Tuan expressed his gratitude when welcoming Prof. Piotr Stepnowski (Rector of Gdansk University), Prof. Anna Jurkowska-Zaidler (Vice Rector) and many lecturers, scientists, and experts in the fields of cultural studies, psychology, and social sciences of Gdansk University to visit the University. Introducing the historical tradition and strengths of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, President 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 from the University of Letters, established by President Ho Chi Minh himself in 1945. During its formation and development, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities has always affirmed its position and mission as a leading unit in training high-quality, highly qualified human resources; researching, creating and disseminating knowledge about social sciences and humanities. In addition to maintaining and developing basic academic sciences, VNU-USSH is also a pioneer in building a number of new training majors and specialties, with application and international integration. Along with the achievements in training, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities is also a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research unit with a high-quality workforce, more than 80% of which are have PhD degrees, about 20% have the titles of Associate Professor, Professor; many lecturers and scientists are good experts, leading in many fields. Expanding cooperation, international training and research activities is also one of the key strategies to successfully implement the goal of making VNU-USSH a research university, ranked in the top 100 universities in Asia and 500 universities in the world by 2035.
Currently, the University has cooperative relationships with over 200 prestigious universities, research institutes, and educational organizations in the region and the world. We expect that, with the strengths and common points in the training programs between the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the University of Gdansk, in the coming time, the two sides will have many specific cooperation programs successfully implemented.
On behalf of the delegation of the University of Gdansk, Rector Professor Piotr Stepnowski respectfully thanked Professor Hoang Anh Tuan and the leaders of the faculties of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities for their warm and friendly welcome. Expressing his admiration for the long tradition and achievements of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Professor Piotr Stepnowski shared: “Based on the sharing of the Rector, we see that there are similarities between the two universities in training and scientific research, especially in the fields of history, psychology, and cultural studies. Joining our delegation to visit the University of Social Sciences and Humanities are many experts in clinical psychology, family psychology, gender and multicultural studies, educational innovation, etc. Therefore, I hope that after today's meeting, the two sides will promote cooperation and have many specific programs successfully implemented.
Delegates attending the meeting discussed and proposed some contents that the two sides can implement in the coming time: exchanging students, lecturers and organizing research projects, scientific seminars and conferences.
Experts from the University of Gdansk exchanged information and proposed cooperation related to cultural, historical, archaeological and psychological research between the two universities. Regarding the proposal for student and lecturer exchanges, Rector Hoang Anh Tuan shared: Every year, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities welcomes nearly 1,000 international students from many countries around the world to study and exchange short-term and long-term programs. In addition, the University regularly organizes student exchanges and study at a number of universities in China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, etc. and has their credits recognized. Every year, VNU-USSH regularly has nearly 40 international professors and experts come to lecture and give presentations. With that experience, we are very ready to welcome lecturers and students from Gdansk University, and at the same time hope that Gdansk University will create conditions for VNU-USSH students and lecturers to participate in training programs and improve their professional qualifications.
Dr. Vu Thi Anh Thu (Deputy Dean of the Faculty of International Studies) fully agreed with and highly appreciated the cooperation proposal of Gdansk University, and also hoped that the two sides would expand cooperation programs in the field of research on international relations, relations between Vietnam and Poland in history as well as in the present.
Dr. Vu Thi Anh Thu speaks
Speaking at the meeting, Associate Professor, Dr. Trinh Thi Linh (Head of the Department of Psychology) expressed her gratitude for the attention, favor and affection that the University of Gdansk has given to the School, the Faculty, especially Dr. Joanna Różycka-Tan personally. The University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the University of Gdansk have had a cooperative relationship for many years, demonstrated through business trips and academic exchanges between the two schools' staff. Most recently, in 2022, VNU-USSH had 5 lecturers participating in academic exchanges at the University of Gdanks. Also within the framework of cooperation between the two schools, VNU-USSH and the University of Gdansk jointly organized the International Scientific Conference "Healthy Behavior in Modern Society" in 2019.
“We are extremely happy 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 schools will become closer, the scope of cooperation will be more open, bringing many practical values to students and lecturers of the two schools.” - Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Thi Linh expressed.
Associate Professor, Dr. Trinh Thi Linh speaks
Regarding the specific cooperation program, Dr. Joanna added: “With the aim of not only cooperating in the field of teaching and training but also expanding and promoting more effectively in the field of research, VNU-USSH, Gdansk University and the Institute of Psychology - Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS) have coordinated to build a 3-party strategic cooperation program for the period 2024-2026. This 3-party 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 Gdansk University will co-organize an international scientific conference with the theme: “Psychology and Human Development in the Changing World”. The event is expected to be held in October 2025 at VNU-USSH with the participation of experts from Poland and abroad. Another international scientific conference is also expected to be held at the University of Gdansk in 2026. These conferences will be an opportunity for research groups to publish the research results carried out within the framework of this cooperation to the scientific community at home and abroad.
At the end of the working session, the two sides agreed on a number of specific cooperation contents:
- Develop specific plans for student and faculty exchange programs.
- Coordinate the organization of scientific seminars in rotation between Vietnam and Poland.
- Participate in scientific research projects, international publication and publication.
