Principal tells students: 'High IQ and EQ are not enough without compassion'

Members of the Stone Flower Club of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities spread the message of love and connection. In the photo: students at Tien Lu Rehabilitation and Vocational Training School for the Disabled (Hung Yen) playing with members of the Stone Flower Club - Photo: HA THANH

The message was delivered by Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh, Principal of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, at the recent opening ceremony of the 2019-2020 school year.

"In the world of the 4.0 industrial revolution, it is true that IQ (Intelligence Quotient) and EQ (Emotional Quotient) are extremely important, but more than ever, we need LQ (Love Quotient) - compassion quotient, the ability to put yourself in the perspective of others, something that machines never have," he said.

YouthTalk to Mr. Minh about this new perspective.

If you want to go far, go together.

* You mentioned three indicators: IQ, EQ and LQ, and emphasized that more than ever we need LQ - the compassion quotient. Can you explain more about this indicator?

- Nowadays, when material life is improved a lot, the development of science and technology makes people closer in communication but the feelings between people are being eroded.

I would like to repeat the idea of ​​musician Trinh Cong Son: "Living in life requires a heart". Humans are different from machines and technology in their emotions and hearts. A robot does a lot of work for us, can solve extremely complicated tasks, but compassion, altruism, "one for everyone, everyone for one" are probably only found in us humans.

I believe that compassion is an important "support", the foundation for all our actions and thoughts. No one can develop without caring for others, without sharing.

Compassion must also be "reciprocal", meaning sharing and connecting in the spirit of "one for all, all for one". The most important thing in a society is to have connection, sharing hardships, whoever wants to go fast goes alone, whoever wants to go far goes together.

Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) - Photo: HA THANH

* You said human feelings are being eroded, so what do you think will be the consequences if there is no compassion?

- Living without compassion, without love leads to an insensitive society. Nowadays, the disease of insensitivity is very serious. Standing before the beauty of nature, love, standing before the misfortune of people without feeling moved, thinking, I think that is a society of machines.

We see many members of a class, group or family sitting next to each other but not communicating directly but connecting online. Social media life has developed to the point that people prefer to connect online, less share with those around them, to put it more accurately, "close in sight, out of mind".

I think compassion here is first of all for the people around you. And the strongest and most beautiful love is the love that is shared.

Compassion and kindness here mean sharing and connecting. If there are still fences and walls between people, how can we have compassion? If we do not care about the people around us, how can we develop as individuals in that community?

Expand your heart, multiply your compassion

* You emphasized the LQ index with the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, is this the development orientation of the school? How to multiply kindness and compassion in students?

- I also think there are many messages in this school year, you guys entering school are really highly qualified people, later on if you want to become scientists, teachers... it's true that you need to have IQ but I think it's not enough.

The journey into life of a future global citizen that goes beyond IQ and EQ is to put yourself in the shoes of others and share with citizens from other civilizations.

We are training a generation of students to become global citizens, I think compassion, understanding, sharing are global values, across borders. Only in that way can people cooperate with each other, dialogue with each other. That is the "common denominator" we need to create for the current and future generations of students.

This year, besides the quality of training and discipline, I also share feelings and responsibilities. Through the case of new student Tran Thi Hong Ngoc overcoming difficulties to come to school, I want students to multiply humanity and empathy.

Freshman Tran Thi Hong Ngoc - Photo: Duong Trieu

The school's Youth Union and Student Association also organize clubs for students to develop their best abilities, such as the Vovinam martial arts club, which not only trains health but also has a humanitarian spirit of protecting girls from sexual abuse.

In particular, the Stone Flower Club for the past 10 years has gathered students who have faced many difficulties in life due to illness, spreading the message of human strength, connecting people in difficult circumstances who need help.

* In your opinion, what advantages and challenges does Vietnam have to multiply this index, especially in schools?

- We have a great population, 2/3 of the population born after 1975 is the most valuable factor, we need to pay attention to training, nurturing, and using this golden population. I think educational institutions in general, and universities in particular, must have a greater responsibility and role.

I remember what teacher Chu Van An said to King Tran Minh Tong: "I have read books and have never seen a country that does not value learning and can progress", meaning that advanced and developed countries in the world must pay attention to education.

I think schools, especially the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, must lead and be at the forefront. Leading into new fields with many difficulties, truly conveying the message that "it is not only necessary to have knowledge but also to have social responsibility". That is compassion, caring for those around you, caring for the core issues of the nation.