Professor Philippe Papin was awarded the "For the Cause of Education" commemorative medal.

Attending the ceremony were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Hung, Director of the Department of Science, Technology and Information, Ministry of Education and Training; Prof. Nicolas Maïnetti - Director of the Francophone University Organization (AUF), Asia-Pacific region; leaders of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities; and specialists, students, and researchers participating in the Vietnamica Project.
Professor Philippe Papin is a Professor of Vietnamese History in the Department of History and Textual Studies at the École Pratique des Hautes Études (EPHE), France. Although a French historian, he has a special love and passion for researching and teaching Vietnamese history and culture, particularly the history of Hanoi. He arrived in Vietnam in the late 1980s, belonging to the group of early foreign scholars who pioneered Vietnamese studies. For nearly 40 years since then, he has diligently collected and researched materials, published outstanding works on Vietnamese history and culture. He is the author of numerous research papers and articles; he has led and participated in many projects collecting materials and preserving cultural heritage in Vietnam; and he has connected joint research projects between Vietnamese and French scholars. Professor Philippe Papin is also the initiator and director of the Vietnamica Project – one of the prestigious projects funded by the European Research Council (ERC) of the European Union for a period of 5 years, from 2019 to 2024, to research the history of Vietnamese tribute through epigraphy (focusing on the Hau stelae), digitize Vietnamese social science documents stored in Europe and Vietnam; participate in training Master's and Doctoral students in epigraphy; establish an electronic library, translate and publish monographs and comprehensive studies on the history of Vietnamese tribute from the first half of the 20th century onwards.
Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Hoang Anh Tuan (Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) emphasized:The results of the Vietnamica Project are a testament to the tireless efforts of the entire research team and the enduring support of international scholars. But first and foremost, it is thanks to the contribution of Professor Philippe Papin, who remotely managed and directed the project, provided research guidance, and directly participated in academic activities in Vietnam, making a significant contribution to the resounding success of Vietnamica. Not only contributing to this specific project, for nearly 40 years, Professor Philippe Papin has truly been a Vietnam studies scholar with outstanding research works, connecting Vietnamese scientists with the academic community in France and internationally.”
On behalf of the leadership of the Ministry of Education and Training, Associate Professor Pham Quang Hung acknowledged and highly appreciated Professor Philippe Papin's outstanding contributions to the development of Vietnam's education and training system, and to strengthening friendly relations and cooperation between Vietnamese and French education and the international community through specific academic projects and activities. Congratulating Professor Philippe Papin, Director Pham Quang Hung expressed his hope that the Professor would continue to connect with them. Professor Philippe Papin shared emotionally:“I am extremely surprised and proud to receive the ‘For the Cause of Education’ Commemorative Medal from the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam. For a foreigner, this is truly a prestigious award and also a motivation for me to strive even harder and be more proactive for Vietnam – a country I am deeply connected to, a country that captivates me with its vast cultural heritage, its talented and dedicated scientists. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the leaders of the Ministry of Education and Training; Minister Nguyen Kim Son personally; the leaders of the universities and research institutions with which I have had the honor of collaborating; and my friends and colleagues in France and Vietnam who have always supported and accompanied me to achieve this honor today.”