The forum is part of a series of activities celebrating the 80th anniversary of tradition and the 30th anniversary of the University's establishment, attracting the participation of many scientists, experts, and managers inside and outside the Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU).
The forum is part of a series of activities celebrating the 80th anniversary of tradition and the 30th anniversary of the University's establishment, attracting the participation of many scientists, experts, and managers inside and outside the Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU).
The University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi organized a scientific forum with the theme "Training and research in social sciences and humanities in the new context"
The mark of the "Synthetic School"Speaking at the workshop, Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan, Principal of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, emphasized: In the development flow of higher education, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities is always aware of its mission of training, researching and disseminating humanistic knowledge, contributing to shaping ideology, creating a knowledge foundation and high-quality human resources for the country's development.
From an academic training institution bearing the mark of the “Synthetic School”, the School has gradually transformed into a modern university model with advanced training philosophies such as student-centered, liberal education, combining traditional and modern training methods. The number of majors has been significantly expanded: from 10 majors (in 1994) to 20 majors (2009) and 30 bachelor’s degree majors by 2025. Along with that, the master’s and doctoral majors have been streamlined and integrated in an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary direction, in line with the trends of contemporary social sciences.
Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan, Principal of University of Social Sciences and Humanities
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh, former Principal of the school, commented: The school's development strategy must revolve around the research university model. From research to training, everything must be innovated to adapt to the knowledge economy, digital transformation and the requirements of university autonomy.
He affirmed that social sciences and humanities play an increasingly important role in policy making, human development and solving national problems. Therefore, training and research must aim at application, international integration and be linked to practical needs.
Experts speaking at the Forum
At the forum, many opinions assessed that social sciences and humanities are facing both opportunities and challenges in the context of globalization, digital transformation, the 4.0 industrial revolution and the requirement to develop a knowledge-based economy.
Prof. Dr. Phung Huu Phu, former Standing Vice Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council of the Communist Party of Vietnam, member of the Party Central Committee, former Principal of the University, said that social sciences and humanities do not directly create GDP, but play a fundamental role and "source technology" for the development of all socio-economic fields. Factors such as institutions, policies, human development, culture, and quality of human resources all originate from knowledge of social sciences and humanities.
He emphasized that a prosperous country is first and foremost built from high-quality human resources and from self-reliant Vietnamese people.
In the age of technology, according to Professor Phu, social sciences and humanities must play a role in nurturing people’s thinking, courage, ethics, and adaptability – the decisive factor in effectively exploiting technology. “Smart technology requires a wise nation,” he affirmed, emphasizing that the mission of social sciences and humanities is to build Vietnamese people in the new era.
Prof. Dr. Phung Huu Phu, former Permanent Vice Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council of the Communist Party of Vietnam, member of the Party Central Committee, former Principal of the school
Bringing AI skills into training programsFrom the perspective of university management, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan - Head of Training Department, VNU, said that the application of artificial intelligence (AI) is an inevitable trend. Schools need to proactively build digital capacity, incorporate AI skills into training programs to "turn challenges into opportunities".
He also suggested that the University of Social Sciences and Humanities strongly expand training space at the Hoa Lac campus to serve the increasingly large scale and modern learning needs of learners.
Some experts from other training units such as Hanoi University of Culture, Academy of Journalism and Communication... shared common difficulties in the field of Social Sciences and Humanities, especially the requirement to link training with the labor market, design interdisciplinary programs, integrate digital competency frameworks and cooperate with businesses in training.
Opinions emphasized: the social sciences and humanities sector needs to strongly innovate its training model, increase applicability, develop digital skills, interdisciplinary skills and modern research methods to keep up with the pace of social change.
Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan – Head of Training Department, VNU
Development orientation in the new context: interdisciplinary - digital - integrationOne of the highlights of the forum was the discussion on the development orientation of training and research in Social Sciences and Humanities in the coming period. Many opinions said that the University should continue to promote its traditional strengths, while at the same time strongly transforming to adapt to the new context.
Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Long, former Rector, proposed that social sciences and humanities must innovate their research approaches, increase interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary content, and link it to solving practical problems of the country. He commented: “Without a solid foundation in humanities, there can be no sustainable development.”
Associate Professor, Dr. Luu Van Quyet (University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Ho Chi Minh City) emphasized the strong connection between the two largest humanities institutions in the country, contributing to creating an open and unique academic exchange space, while quickly adapting to changes in social sciences domestically and internationally.
From the perspective of historical research, Associate Professor Dr. Vo Xuan Vinh believes that the research team must be improved in terms of expertise, ability to adapt to new methods and apply technology. This is the condition for social sciences and humanities to create high-quality works, serving policy making and international integration.
Experts speak at the Forum
