In a world where artificial intelligence is celebrated, compassion must be valued even more.

Professor Pham Quang Minh - Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony.

1. Today, we are holding the Opening Ceremony of the 2019-2020 academic year on a beautiful autumn day in Hanoi. But in each of us, especially the K64 students, the immortal words of writer Thanh Tinh still echo in our ears: "Every year, at the end of autumn, when the leaves fall abundantly on the streets and silvery clouds drift across the sky, my heart is filled with the bewildering memories of the first day of school."

Today, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities organizes the opening Ceremony for the academic year 2019-2020 on an exquisite autumn day in Hanoi. I believe that in your hearts, especially those of the students of QH-2019-X class, the eternal literary words composed by writer Thanh Tinh still resound: “Every year, whenever autumn comes, plenty of leaves fall on the streets and silver clouds appear in the sky, exciting my heart with the touching memories of the opening day of the school year.”

2. First of all, on behalf of the faculty, staff, and senior students, allow me to extend our warmest congratulations to the 2,200 new students of the K64 cohort. You have now officially become students of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, a member of the Vietnam National University, Hanoi, which has recently been ranked 800th among the world's leading universities by Times Higher Education. I also sincerely thank you for the love you have shown for the University.

Firstly, on behalf of the tutors, staff and students of upper classes I would like to send my earnest congratulations to 2,200 new students of QH-2019-X class. Now you have officially become a student of USSH, a member of VNU Hanoi, which was recently ranked by Times Higher Education among 800 top universities in the world. I also express my appreciations to you for the love you devote to the University.

Professor Pham Quang Minh beats the drum to officially open the 2019-2020 school year.

3. Distinguished guests, esteemed teachers, and beloved students! The 2018-2019 academic year has left behind incredibly significant marks. For the first time, the University welcomed students from four new training programs: Japanese Studies, High-Quality Journalism, High-Quality Management Science, and High-Quality Information Management. For the first time, the University's faculty published over 80 works in international publications, including 22 works in high-impact journals. For the first time, the University's lecture halls were air-conditioned. For the first time, the Canteen – a new, more beautiful, delicious, reasonably priced, and friendly culinary space – officially opened. Most importantly, it was also the first time that the University's Traditional Room, a cultural space where the past blends with the present and connects with the future, became a place that every member of the University must visit at least once.

Dear distinguished guests, teachers and beloved students! The year 2018-2019 has passed with extremely memorable impressions. For the first time, the University welcomes students enrolling in four new programs: Japanese studies, advanced Journalism, advanced Management science and advanced Information management. The teachers of the University had over 80 academic works published in international journals, including 22 in journals of high impact factor. For the first time, all the classrooms of the University had air-conditioners installed. For the first time, a new canteen has been in operation – a more beautiful, convenient and friendly space with delicious cuisine. Especially, the Tradition room of the University has officially been established as a cultural space where the past intertwines with the present and the future, which is truly a location worth visiting at least once for any member of the University.

4. Distinguished guests, esteemed teachers, and beloved students! Among the 2,200 new students enrolling today, the University is especially delighted to have helped fulfill the dream of Tran Thi Hong Ngoc, from Nghe An, to become a journalism student. Despite facing extremely difficult circumstances that seemed insurmountable, Ngoc persevered in her studies and was admitted to one of the University's top-scoring programs. Her example of perseverance and passion for learning has inspired countless other compassionate individuals, from reporters at Dan Tri newspaper to teachers working at the Cooperation and Development Department of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, from the Nghe An Oncology Hospital to the members of the Himalaya Club. On this journey of compassion, Ngoc is not alone; she always has companions by her side. In a world where artificial intelligence is celebrated, compassion must be even more highly valued. One can create brilliant minds, but one cannot create a heart, however small. Artificial intelligence can solve complex and sophisticated problems, but it cannot replace the soul. In the world of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, while IQ (Intelligence Quotient) and EQ (Emotional Quotient) are extremely important, more than ever, we need LQ (Love Quotient) – compassion, the ability to put oneself in another's shoes, something machines can never possess. LQ is a new quotient highly valued by Jack Ma, the Dalai Lama, and Jeff Weiner.

Dear distinguished guests, teachers and beloved students! Among the 2,200 new students attending today's ceremony, the University is grateful for having helped Ms. Tran Thi Hong Ngoc from Nghe An realizes her dream of becoming a student of Journalism. Despite extremely harsh conditions that seem almost unbearable, Ngoc has nevertheless persevered with her study to enroll in one of the best majors of the University. Her honorable patience and academic passion have inspired many other benevolent actions by other people, from the reporters of Dan Tri newspaper to the Director of the International Cooperation Office of VNU Hanoi, from the Nghe An Oncology Hospital to the members of the Himalaya Club. In this journey of compassion Ngoc is not lonely at all with all of her companions. In a world where artificial intelligence is glorified, compassion has to be all the more acknowledged. Superior brains may be created but even small hearts cannot be. AI is able to solve complicated math problems but cannot replace the soul. In the world of 4.0 industrial revolution, it is true that IQ (Intelligence Quotient) and EQ (Emotional Quotient) are considered especially important, but above all we need LQ (Love Quotient) – the compassion quotient, the ability to put oneself in others' shoes, which machines can never achieve. LQ is a new concept highly rated by Jack Ma, the Dalai Lama and Jeff Weiner.

Professor Pham Quang Minh and the top-scoring students in the 2019 entrance exam.

5. Finally, allow me to express my sincere gratitude to the leadership of VNU for their constant guidance and support; thank the Ambassadors and diplomatic delegations for their cooperation and trust; thank the representatives of our partners for their continuous support and companionship: BIDV, Shinhan Bank, AEON Mall, Korea Foundation, Danko Group, Phuong Dong, My Son, Dao Minh Quang Foundation, Toto, Bao Ninh businesses and many other organizations; and thank the international and Vietnamese teachers for their silent contributions every day. I wish all distinguished guests, teachers, and staff good health, happiness, and success. I wish the new students of K64 not only IQ and EQ but also LQ. We wish you unwavering confidence on your new path, as Sheryl Sandberg, CEO of Facebook, shared in her famous book "Plan B" (published in 2017), when she learned to stand up and share with others, in the despair of suddenly losing her beloved husband: that life is never perfect, that we all have to live with some kind of Plan B, that we must always face adversity, cultivate resilience, and find joy. If you can do that, you will have contributed to realizing President Ho Chi Minh's dream of "Vietnam being able to stand shoulder to shoulder with the world's leading nations." The University of Social Sciences and Humanities is committed to accompanying you. Good luck and success. Thank you.

Finally, on the occasion of the new academic year I would like to thank the VNU leaders, VNU member universities, your excellent Ambassadors and the representatives of Diplomatic corps, our partners – the representatives of BIDV, Shinhan Bank, Korea Foundation, Danko Group, Phuong Dong Group, My Son Groups, AEON Mall, Dao Minh Quang Foundation, Toto Company, Bao Ninh Company and many others for your effective support and cooperation. My thanks also go to all international volunteer teachers and visiting professors, and Vietnamese lecturers for their steady endeavors. I would like to wish all of you good health, happiness and success. I hope all the new students of QH-2019-X class possess not only IQ, EQ, but also LQ. I hope you keep your confidence on the new road, as Sheryl Sandberg, Managing Director of Facebook, puts it in her well-known book “Option B” (Alfred A. Knopf NY, 2017), despite her extreme pain for having lost her beloved husband: that life is not always perfect, that every one of us has to live with a certain Plan B, and that we all have to be facing adversity and building resilience to find joy. If so, you actually contribute to Ho Chi Minh's will that “Vietnam shall stand abreast with big powers.” Our USSH commits to be by your side. Thank you for your attention.

Professor Pham Quang Minh, on behalf of the university, received scholarships awarded to students by various businesses.

http://ussh.vnu.edu.vn/d6/vi-VN/news/Video-10-su-kien-tieu-bieu-nam-hoc-2018-2019-1-490-19311

http://ussh.vnu.edu.vn/d6/vi-VN/news/10-su-kien-tieu-bieu-nam-hoc-2018-2019-1-490-19305