Scientific conference commemorating the 110th anniversary of the founding of Indochina University.

From left to right: Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim - Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Kim Son - Vice Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh - Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities / Photo: Quoc Toan

On May 16, 1906, Governor-General Paul Beau signed Decree No. 1514a establishing the University of Indochina. This was an important legal document marking the birth of the first university in Vietnam based on the modern higher education model.

Immediately after the success of the August Revolution, President Ho Chi Minh signed Decree No. 45/SL establishing the Faculty of Literature within the University, with Mr. Dang Thai Mai as its Director. The "University" referred to here is the University of Indochina, as prior to this, no other educational institution in Vietnam had the name "University".

On November 15, 1945, the university held its first opening ceremony and officially adopted the name Vietnam National University. Initially, the university had five faculties: Medicine, Science, Literature, Social Sciences, and Fine Arts. All faculties were taught by Vietnamese professors, cultural figures, and socio-political activists, including President Ho Chi Minh and comrades Pham Van Dong and Vo Nguyen Giap. President Ho Chi Minh attended and spoke at the opening ceremony and awarded diplomas to students from previous cohorts whose studies had been interrupted.

Photo: Quoc Toan

On June 5, 1956, the Prime Minister signed Decision No. 2183/PC establishing five universities and fifteen vocational high schools, including Hanoi University. Accordingly, Hanoi University was the direct successor to Vietnam National University. In addition to its facilities, organizational structure, and academic traditions, Hanoi University also inherited the first generation of teachers and scientists trained and educated at Indochina University and Vietnam National University.

In 1993, the Government decided to establish the Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) to create positive and groundbreaking changes, meeting the needs of national development in the new situation. VNU was built on the core of the University of Hanoi. This affirms the model of a modern, multidisciplinary university, building upon the academic tradition that began at the University of Indochina and elevating that tradition to a new level.

On June 5, 1956, the Prime Minister signed Decision No. 2183/PC establishing five universities and fifteen vocational high schools, including Hanoi University. Accordingly, Hanoi University was the direct successor to Vietnam National University. In addition to its facilities, organizational structure, and academic traditions, Hanoi University also inherited the first generation of teachers and scientists trained and educated at Indochina University and Vietnam National University.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Kim Son - Vice Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, speaking at the conference/Photo: Quoc Toan

In 1993, the Government decided to establish the Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) to create positive and groundbreaking changes, meeting the needs of national development in the new situation. VNU was built on the core of the University of Hanoi. This affirms the model of a modern, multidisciplinary university, building upon the academic tradition that began at the University of Indochina and elevating that tradition to a new level.

In his opening remarks at the workshop, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Kim Son - Vice Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, affirmed that Vietnam National University, Hanoi, inherits and continues a long-standing university tradition from Indochina University regarding the reputation of its influential faculty and scientists. This continuity and inheritance is also reflected in its multidisciplinary, multi-field university model.,It has been elevated to a new level; oriented towards becoming an internationally recognized university, integrating with the world. In that sense, this scientific conference is an opportunity to further clarify the historical issues of a special period in the development of higher education in our country, a period that shaped modern higher education. Scientists will together shed light on the historical issues surrounding the establishment of the University of Indochina, thereby drawing historical lessons for issues of today. In particular, these historical experiences will help affirm and guide the development of the Vietnam National University, Hanoi, both now and in the future.

The French Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Vietnam speaks at the seminar/Photo: Quoc Toan

At the conference, Mr. Jean-Noël Poirier, the French Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Vietnam, stated: "The history of Indochina University has been very successful because it has trained many generations of talented intellectuals, engineers, and researchers who have contributed to Vietnam's development. The success of Indochina University is demonstrated by the success of other universities such as Hanoi Medical University and the Vietnam Institute of Far Eastern Studies. Currently, it can be seen that Hanoi National University and universities located in major cities of Vietnam are following in the spirit of Indochina University."

He also expressed his delight at seeing that, "although the colonial period was not a bed of roses, the French, when speaking with the Vietnamese, are surprised because most of them mention fond memories such as French colonial architecture and the university system with French contributions." And 110 years after the founding of the University of Indochina, the cooperative relationship in the field of higher education between Vietnam and France will be the glue binding the two countries' bilateral relations together in the future.

The conference featured 16 presentations, focusing on two main themes: Indochina University - Issues concerning higher education; and Indochina University and the development of education and human resource training in Vietnam.