10 outstanding events of the 2016-2017 school year

1. Professor Phan Huy Le receives the Ho Chi Minh Prize for Science and Technology.

On January 15, 2017, Professor Phan Huy Le was awarded the Ho Chi Minh Prize for Science and Technology for his work "History and Culture of Vietnam - A Partial Approach"..This work is considered a breakthrough in theory and methodology in the study of Vietnamese history and culture, highly appreciated by international and domestic scientists; it serves as the scientific basis for the dossier submitted to UNESCO for recognition of Thang Long Imperial Citadel as a World Cultural Heritage site. To date, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities has had 13 faculty members receive the Ho Chi Minh Prize and the State Prize for Science and Technology - a rare achievement among research and training institutions in Vietnam.

Professor Phan Huy Le, People's Teacher, receives the Ho Chi Minh Prize for Science and Technology (January 17, 2017)

2. The first time oneNCS received a PhD in Science and Technology Management.

To realize its goal of building a research university, in the past academic year, the University successfully trained and awarded doctoral degrees to 30 doctoral candidates from 15 different disciplines. Notably, since 2013, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities has been the first institution in the country to offer a doctoral program in Science and Technology Management, and after four years, its first doctoral candidate received their PhD.

Over the past year, the university also awarded Master's degrees to 265 students in 17 different majors. Among them, the Vietnamese Studies major, offered at the Faculty of Vietnamese Studies and Vietnamese Language since 2015, had its first graduate with a Master's degree, and that graduate was a foreign student.

These results reflect the school's pioneering efforts in opening new training programs to meet societal needs.

The first PhD in Science and Technology Management from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, and also from Vietnam, is Mr. Hoang Van Tuyen (Ministry of Science and Technology).

3. 42 international publications, including 6 publications in ISI/SCOPUS indexed journals and02 monographs in English

During the past academic year, the school's staff published 15 monographs and textbooks, including 2 monographs published in English; 603 scientific articles, including 42 international publications (of which 4 articles are in the ISI system and 2 articles are in the Scopus system).

In addition, the University is currently conducting 17 state-level research projects, 3 Nafosted projects, 25 VNU-level projects, and 33 institutional-level projects. The University has also established a research program on "Internet and Society" and has 3 laboratories that have received investment from VNU.

The results of scientific research activities continue to contribute to providing scientific arguments for the planning of Vietnam's development policies. In particular, the trend of international publication is increasingly becoming a top priority in the university's academic activities.

4. Philosophy isThe third training program is accredited according to AUN standards.

The past year marked significant progress in quality assurance. The Bachelor of Philosophy program was accredited according to AUN standards, becoming the third program (after Linguistics and Oriental Studies) to receive accreditation. Additionally, the Bachelor of Vietnamese Studies and Psychology programs were also accredited according to the standards of the Ministry of Education and Training, achieving positive results. The university also conducted peer evaluations for two other Bachelor's programs: the high-quality History program and the Bachelor of Sociology program. Bachelor's programs in the Faculty of Literature, the Faculty of Journalism and Communication, the Faculty of Tourism, the Faculty of Anthropology, and the Faculty of Political Science are currently undergoing procedures to prepare for quality evaluation in 2017. Quality assurance activities continue to develop both in breadth and depth, making a culture of quality a criterion in all of the university's activities.

The head of the AUN accreditation team and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan - Dean of the Philosophy Department, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, at the opening ceremony of the accreditation activities for the Philosophy program.

5.Two new units were established under the School and two units were established under the Faculty.

During the past academic year, the University also decided to establish two new units within the University: the Center for Marine and Island Studies and the Department of Religious Studies; and two new units directly under the Faculty: the Department of Public Policy (under the Faculty of Management Science) and the Center for Applied Research and Development of Social Work (under the Faculty of Sociology). The establishment of these new units reflects new developments in research and training in the social sciences and humanities, as well as the University's overall development and progress.

Professor Pham Quang Minh presented the appointment decisions to Associate Professor Tran Thi Kim Oanh - Head of the Department of Religious Studies, and Dr. Nguyen Thi To Uyen - Deputy Head of the Department of Religious Studies.

During the past academic year, 3 faculty members were appointed to the title of Professor, and 7 faculty members were appointed to the title of Associate Professor, bringing the total number of Professors and Associate Professors at the University to 102 (11 Professors and 91 Associate Professors), accounting for 27.49% of the total faculty. The University currently has 152 faculty members pursuing postgraduate studies (142 doctoral candidates, 10 master's students), including 28 studying abroad. In the past academic year, 24 faculty members successfully defended their doctoral dissertations, and 5 faculty members defended their master's theses. Currently, the University has 232 faculty members with doctoral degrees, with the percentage of faculty members holding doctoral degrees reaching 60.3%.

These figures confirm that the development and building of the team is always a top priority, considered a prerequisite for enhancing the school's position and scientific capacity.

6.Support from the Dao Minh Quang Foundation for Awards, scholarships, and scientific research by young faculty members in the School

During the 2016-2017 academic year, the University renewed and signed 25 cooperation agreements with foreign partners, bringing the total number of international partners to 273. In the past academic year, the University also welcomed nearly 1,000 international scientists for research and lectures; and received more than 40 international delegations, including high-level delegations from embassies of countries such as the United States, Israel, New Zealand, Iran, South Korea, and Venezuela. Notably, among the new partners, the Dao Minh Quang Foundation (Federal Republic of Germany) committed to providing an annual funding of 380 million VND for awards, scholarships, and scientific research by young staff members, aiming to establish a Center for Research and Training Cooperation with the Federal Republic of Germany and the EU. International cooperation activities help promote the University's activities towards integration and build a highly international academic exchange environment.

Principal Pham Quang Minh signs official cooperation agreement with Dao Minh Quang Foundation (Federal Republic of Germany)

7.Congress of student organizations within the School

During the 2016-2017 academic year, the activities of the Youth Union organizations within the University were marked by major events such as: the 30th Congress of the Trade Union of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, term 2017-2022, was successfully held on March 24-25, 2017, electing a new Executive Committee; the 5th Congress of the Veterans Association of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, term 2017-2022, was successfully organized on March 18, 2017; and the 9th Congress of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, term 2017-2019, was also successfully held on March 17-18. These activities demonstrate the intelligence, solidarity, and determination of the University's staff and students in fulfilling the political tasks of the new period.

9th Congress of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi

8. Former Vice President Truong My Hoa visits the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

On August 22, 2017, Ms. Truong My Hoa - former Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, former Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Head of the "For the Beloved Hoang Sa and Truong Sa" Club, and President of the Vu A Dinh Scholarship Fund - visited the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

The visit by the former Vice President helped to bring the meaningful activities of the Club to a wider audience.For our beloved Hoang Sa and Truong Sa islands."This event brought us closer to the young people. This special meeting conveyed a profound message about love for our homeland and islands; about the will to strive for integration with the world through science and intellect; about the aspiration to build a prosperous and beautiful country and maintain peace and territorial integrity in Vietnam. Once again, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities continues to be a destination for meaningful activities in the education and development of political awareness and character of Vietnamese youth in the face of the country's major political and social tasks."

Former Vice President Truong My Hoa visits and works at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

9. Student-centered approach andone-stop shop model

With the relocation of the library to Building M, the school has, during the past academic year, taken over and renovated the entire first, second, and third floors of Building E, significantly improving the school's appearance. The entire first floor is used to serve students, including the offices of the Political and Student Affairs Department operating under a one-stop model, and an open space for extracurricular activities, which has been highly appreciated. Most of the second and third floors have been converted into meeting rooms, conference rooms, and a traditional room with modern and convenient equipment. In addition, for the first time, the school decided to renovate the first floor of the connecting building AB into a modern canteen to serve the needs of staff and students.

Professor Pham Quang Minh presented commemorative gifts from the University to the new students of the 2017-X cohort on their enrollment day.

10. The emergence of the Master's Tea Club and Lunch Box Club for English

With the aim of improving English proficiency among staff and students, the school has established two English clubs:Master's Tea ClubandLunch Box Club for EnglishFor students and staff, the two clubs meet weekly with specific topics related to learning and research. Members have the opportunity to practice English and exchange expertise with foreign scientists and international students teaching and studying at the University. The activities of the two clubs have initially brought a fresh perspective on using English as a key to the University's internationalization and integration strategy.

Master's Tea Club and Lunch Box Club for English are two English clubs that go live weekly for students and staff of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.