A dedicated teacher inspires studentsAfter graduating with a BA in Philosophy from Rostov University, the former Soviet Union, in 1986, Mr. Nguyen Quang Hung taught at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU-USSH). From 2004 to 2015, he held the position of Head of the Department of History of Philosophy, and from 2007 to present, he was Deputy Director, then Director of the Center for Contemporary Religious Studies (CECRS), and also held the position of Deputy Head of the Faculty of Philosophy. To date, Mr. Hung has been with VNU-USSH for nearly 40 years.
Mr. Hung shared that he came to the Philosophy major by chance. From the desire to study Chemistry at the University to the Faculty of Political Economy, Mr. Hung was sent to study in the Soviet Union and chose to study and research Philosophy, and later when he had the opportunity to go to Germany to study for a Master's and Doctorate in Religious Studies. His love for these sciences grew over the years of studying in Russia and Germany. And that love has been passed on by Mr. Nguyen Quang Hung to many generations of students, trainees, and postgraduates of the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
Professor Nguyen Quang Hung is passionate about his lectures at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU.
During his work, he received many attractive invitations from universities and research institutes, but Mr. Hung still chose to stay with VNU-USSH.
For me, Hanoi National University and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities are my second home, the place where I trust to teach and devote my whole life." - Professor Hung shared.
For Mr. Nguyen Quang Hung, witnessing generations of students grow up, including many students who are passionate about researching the field of Philosophy, is a great motivation for generations of teachers of the Philosophy Department to continue to stick together, continue to cultivate and impart knowledge.
The simple care and sharing of students is also a joy for teachers in the university lecture hall.
I still remember clearly the image of the two children 3-4 years ago, the older sister, then the younger sister, both studying at the Faculty of Philosophy, came to the teacher's house on the 30th of Tet to give him a pair of banh chung because they were afraid that his family could not wrap the cakes. It was the sincere and simple feelings of the children that encouraged me to always want to be attached to the students and the school." - Mr. Hung emotionally recounted.
The students in Mr. Hung's story are Dinh Thi My Linh (K61) and Dinh Thuy Duong (K66, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Social Sciences and Humanities). Through these female students, Mr. Nguyen Quang Hung has passed on to them and other students the love and passion for studying Philosophy - a basic science that seems to be less attractive to young people.
Expressing gratitude to the teachers in the Philosophy department, especially Mr. Nguyen Quang Hung, student Dinh Thuy Duong shared: “
Thanks to you, I chose to study Philosophy, specializing in Western Philosophy, and I am completely satisfied with that choice!”. Thuy Duong's older sister is a former student of K61 majoring in Philosophy, so Duong was exposed to this major and learned about Mr. Hung through her older sister and her fellow students.
According to the fourth-year student, with a new teaching method, mapping scientific and practical knowledge, each lecture of Mr. Nguyen Quang Hung has given students a multi-dimensional view of phenomena in life. Philosophy students are very impressed with Mr. Hung's lectures in subjects such as Research methods of the history of philosophy through classic works, Current trends of Christian philosophy...
And perhaps for the students of the Faculty of Philosophy, the simple appearance, the humorous stories, and the sincere concern of teacher Nguyen Quang Hung have truly brought them respect and trust. Standing on their podium is not a serious old professor but a teacher who is always close and sharing with students. That is why the students of the Faculty of Philosophy did not hesitate to call out the teacher's name during the small party after they won the championship at the 2024 Vietnam Philosophy Olympiad, or the warm greetings from former students to the teacher many years after graduation.
Scientist persistent in research journey, policy consultingProfessor Nguyen Quang Hung has spent many years studying and researching in countries with strong development in Philosophy research. He completed his studies and was awarded a master's degree in Southeast Asian Studies - Religious Studies at the University of Passau, Germany (1998); a PhD in Southeast Asian Studies at Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany (2004).
Professor Nguyen Quang Hung's main research directions include: Classical German philosophy, History of missionary work, Catholic and Protestant communities in Vietnam; Relations between religion and culture in terms of theoretical research; Aspects of cultural and political conflicts in the relationship between religion and culture when studying the Mong ethnic community in Vietnam.
During his tenure, the professor has guided 06 PhD students to successfully defend their theses, along with dozens of graduate students to successfully defend their master's theses; completed 01 scientific research topic of the National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED), 01 state-level scientific research topic; published nearly 90 domestic and international scientific articles, published 10 books (including co-authored, edited and written separately), of which 03 books were published abroad, including works published in prestigious publishers around the world.
Currently, Professor Nguyen Quang Hung is making many positive contributions to the Center for Contemporary Religious Studies, the Advisory Council on Religion and Belief of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Government Committee for Religious Affairs... During his time in charge of the Center for Contemporary Religious Studies, he made an important contribution to the successful organization of 12 international scientific conferences and many domestic seminars on the field of religious studies.
Professor Nguyen Quang Hung presented a report on "Promoting religious and belief resources to serve sustainable development" at the scientific seminar and policy consultation report organized by the Center for Contemporary Religious Studies on December 26, 2023.
Professor Nguyen Quang Hung and scientists from the Center for Contemporary Religious Studies at the handover ceremony of research results to the Government Committee for Religious Affairs in December 2023. Faced with the current situation of basic sciences, including social sciences and humanities, being less competitive than applied sciences, Professor Nguyen Quang Hung said that this problem is not only encountered in Vietnam but also in many countries around the world. As a scientist who has devoted his whole life to research, Professor Nguyen Quang Hung believes that, with the role of a unit training high-quality, highly qualified human resources, nurturing talents; scientific research, technology development and multidisciplinary and multi-field knowledge transfer, Hanoi National University in general and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in particular, need to go on two legs: developing basic sciences in parallel with applied sciences, providing policy advice to functional agencies of the Party and State. Basic sciences still play a fundamental role, a basis for application in applied sciences. If applied science is like a tree trunk with lush branches and leaves, then basic science is the solid root for the development of science and life.
For the Philosophy industry, from the foundation of achievements in historical research, Philosophy has been formed over thousands of years, and has now developed into applied philosophy in areas of life such as medicine, environment, religion, economics, culture - politics... The steadfastness in training and academic scientific research, thereby creating the foundation for applied science, has become the guiding principle of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU in recent years.
Mr. Hung shared:
“I always keep in mind that as long as I am healthy, I will continue to contribute to scientific research. I am not only passionate about academic scientific issues but also conduct field research trips and carry out policy consulting activities on issues in religious life in Vietnam.”With his persistent contributions in nearly 40 years of teaching and research, in November 2024, Professor Nguyen Quang Hung was recognized by the State Council of Professors as Professor of Philosophy.
