Social sciences and humanities contribute to the quality of development.

Dear teachers, esteemed guests, and all fellow students...

Today, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities is celebrating Vietnamese Teachers' Day, commemorating its 25th anniversary and 75 years of tradition. On behalf of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and the Board of Directors of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, I would like to extend my congratulations, best wishes, and most respectful greetings to the University and to all the teachers. Congratulations to the teachers who received the prestigious awards and honors bestowed by the State and Government today. Vietnam National University, Hanoi is very proud of you all.

Dear teachers, esteemed guests, and fellow students.

Twenty-five years, a quarter of a century, has been a journey of relentless striving and continuous development. From just a few faculties of the University, after 25 years of development, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities – now a multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary university in the fields of social sciences and humanities – has nearly 20 faculties and departments, currently offering 103 programs (31 undergraduate programs and 72 postgraduate programs). The student body exceeds 10,000, with over 20% being postgraduate students, and the total staff is 530, including many renowned scientists and leading experts. Most importantly, the University has become a brand, a source of pride. It has also begun to establish its own unique identity and build significant values ​​– humanistic values, academic spirit – of national and international significance. As a member university of the Vietnam National University, Hanoi, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (VSS) has a scale, stature, and influence that places it among the largest and strongest universities in the country. The human resources and brand reputation it possesses are something many other universities would envy. This achievement is primarily due to the hard work, intellect, and dedication of all the faculty, staff, and students of the University, as well as the guidance and support from the Party, the State, the Government, ministries, central and local agencies, and the Vietnam National University, Hanoi. In today's celebration, I would like to congratulate the University of Social Sciences and Humanities on the significant achievements it has made in recent years, and express my gratitude and appreciation for the contributions of many generations of faculty, staff, and students.

Ladies and gentlemen!

Each anniversary brings back memories of the past, but more importantly, it's a time to reflect on the present and look towards the future. At this point, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities has never before enjoyed such great advantages and prospects, but it also faces many significant challenges.

Social sciences and humanities are always closely linked to political institutions, to the path of social development and human development. Social sciences and humanities can pave the way and contribute to the development of a nation in terms of speed and scale, but more importantly, they focus on the QUALITY OF DEVELOPMENT. The human resources trained by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, and the research products written by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities – they serve the quality of development, the BENEFIT OF DEVELOPMENT, and the FOUNDATION FOR CONTINUED AND INCREASED DEVELOPMENT in the next stage.

Regarding the tasks of developing Vietnamese culture and people in the coming period, the Draft Political Report submitted to the 13th National Congress of the Party clearly states:Developing well-rounded individuals and building an advanced Vietnamese culture rich in national identity so that culture truly becomes an intrinsic strength, a driving force for national development and defense. Increasing investment in cultural development. Building, developing, and creating the most favorable social environment and conditions to awaken patriotic traditions, national pride, faith, aspirations for a prosperous and happy country; talent, and intellect.”

The above perspectives on human issues, culture, and humanities represent insights and orientations that create transformation and immense opportunities for the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, and for training human resources in this field. The question is whether we can seize the opportunity, and whether we have the strength to transform that opportunity into tangible results and contributions.

Dear teachers!

The social sciences and humanities are the sciences of human development, social development, and cultural development. Value systems are the core of every culture. The social sciences and humanities must contribute to building a new value system for the Vietnamese people, simultaneously promoting national cultural traditions and essence, and adapting to the new era of the industrial revolution, international integration, and rapid socio-economic development. Our country has recently undergone decades of reform and market economic development; in essence, it has been a period of transition. The faster the economic development, the greater and deeper the transformation of the economy and society, the more acute the human challenges become.

In recent years, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) has adjusted its science and technology strategy, developing cutting-edge technology fields such as aerospace, artificial intelligence, agricultural technology, and medicine, while paying special attention to developing science and technology programs in the social sciences and humanities and interdisciplinary fields. These include tasks such as: compiling the National Gazetteer of Vietnam (National Gazetteer), establishing the Vietnam Studies Documentation Center, translating and promoting the essence of classic Eastern works, etc. These programs are contributing to a more comprehensive and balanced development of VNU's science and technology. In these overall developments, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities is actively participating and undertaking many important tasks. This also presents a great opportunity for the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

From its deep roots, stemming from a 75-year tradition and 25-year history, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities has been building a value: the value of humanism. In 1945, President Ho Chi Minh recognized the importance of social sciences and humanities and established the Faculty of Literature under the University of Vietnam. Since then, the University has gradually built this precious tradition: a tradition that emphasizes national sentiment, love for humanity, and a pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty. The University has also progressively built the values ​​of humanism, of sharing, solidarity, altruism, and a benevolent spirit. Through social sciences and humanities and the dedication of its staff and students, the University has built this beautiful tradition. In other words, this tradition is firmly established by the academic merit of this field and by the emotions, intellect, and heart of its students. More than ever, school leaders and officials at all levels need to be deeply aware of this, and recognize that continuing and nurturing this tradition is the responsibility and self-respect of each and every one of them.

To seize opportunities and ensure the continued development and flourishing of social sciences and humanities, the Party Committee, the Board of Directors, and the school's administrators and scientists need to do, and urgently need to do, unite in spirit, focus on action, stabilize the organization, unify management, and maintain order and discipline from top to bottom.

The University of Social Sciences and Humanities needs to continue this adjustment and development momentum, proposing more large-scale, new, and long-term science and technology programs, focusing on in-depth, unique basic research, and practical survey research to develop research and training activities. A genuine digital transformation is needed in the field of research and training in social sciences and humanities, extensively implementing "digital humanities,"... doing a good job of policy consulting and effectively carrying out assigned science and technology tasks.

Promote talent development and high-quality training using new models, focusing on personalized education methods, innovating teaching methods, and adapting education and training to the volatile and challenging global context due to the pandemic and current non-traditional security issues. Policies on staffing and workforce allocation need to be reformed, prioritizing the development of traditional, specialized, and brand-building disciplines that are the pride of the University, rather than using teaching hours as the sole rigid criterion for organizational and human resource development. All necessary conditions must be prepared to implement the university autonomy model in accordance with the general policy of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, in 2021. A review and reorganization of training programs is needed, especially the list of postgraduate programs and specializations.

In 2021, units within Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) are actively preparing to invest in the construction of facilities in Hoa Lac. The University of Social Sciences and Humanities also needs to actively prepare; Road No. 8 passing through the University area and other infrastructure in the University area will be completed by mid-2021. VNU will work with the University to find early solutions regarding funding for the construction of the University and other facilities belonging to the University of Social Sciences and Humanities group of projects such as museums, libraries, experiential areas, Vietnamese studies research areas, Vietnamese studies documentation areas, etc. Of course, the University's own efforts will still be decisive for its future development in Hoa Lac.

On the occasion of today's November 20th celebration, we would like to extend our congratulations, greetings, and gratitude to all the teachers working at the university for their contributions to the university, to Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and to the country. We wish you good health, much joy, happiness, and continued well-being.