USSH would like to highlight 10 key events reflecting the remarkable progress of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in 2013.
1. Destination for heads of state
As a national university and a leading university in social sciences and humanities in Vietnam, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities continues to be a destination for heads of state and international leaders.
On September 3, 2013, the University welcomed a high-level delegation from the Democratic Republic of East Timor, led by Mr. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and Security, for a visit and working session. On October 15, 2013, Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council of the People's Republic of China led a high-level delegation to visit and interact with the University's staff and students. During this visit, the Chinese Premier conveyed a message: he highly appreciated the role of the younger generation in inheriting, maintaining, and promoting the good cooperative relationship between Vietnam and China across generations; and affirmed that education is one of the important and priority areas of cooperation, thereby contributing to establishing mutual understanding between the people of the two countries.
2. Receiving staff from two centers of Hanoi National University.
With the addition of 21 staff members from the Center for Political Theory Training and the Center for Women's Studies (Vietnam National University, Hanoi), the university's staff, especially highly qualified scientific staff, has been strengthened. Currently, the university has 520 staff members, including 88 professors and associate professors and 152 doctors. These figures reflect the fact that the quality of the university's staff remains among the best in the Vietnamese university system.
3. Proactively developed and successfully bid for 12 state-level scientific research projects and protocols.
The university's scientific staff successfully bid for 12 state-level scientific research projects and protocols. This is a significant effort and success in scientific research activities since the time of Hanoi University. In 2013, three scientific works by lecturers won the Hanoi National University Outstanding Scientific Work Award; and five works won the Vietnam Book Award in 2013.
This achievement is the result of innovation in the management of scientific research activities, increasingly effectively utilizing the intellectual resources of the faculty, researchers, and experts in the University. In addition, the methods and thinking behind organizing scientific research activities by the staff and scientists in the University have also undergone positive changes towards a more practical and dynamic approach, and have enhanced the role of strong research groups and leading experts in their fields.
4. The first external evaluation according to AUN standards yielded positive results.
From December 16-18, the external evaluation team from the Association of Southeast Asian Universities (AUN) conducted an assessment of the Bachelor of Linguistics program at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, yielding positive results. Choosing AUN accreditation helps universities determine the level their training programs have reached on the regional evaluation scale; identify shortcomings that need to be addressed to ensure the training programs meet ASEAN quality standards. This is a new step forward for the University in its training quality accreditation activities, aiming towards regional and international integration.
5. Participate in the Vietnam-US Dialogue Forum on Religious Freedom in the United States and co-organize a training course on the rule of law regarding religion.
A delegation from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Hanoi), led by Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh (Rector), attended the Vietnam-US Dialogue Forum on Religious Freedom in Washington D.C. on June 19, 2013. The forum was co-organized by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, the Vietnamese Embassy in the United States, the Institute for Global Engagement, and Brigham Young University (USA).
Within the framework of the forum, Professor Nguyen Van Khanh signed a cooperation agreement between the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Brigham Young University, and the Institute for Global Engagement (USA) in the presence of the Vietnamese Ambassador to the United States. In September 2013, the University, in collaboration with the aforementioned partners, organized a training course on religious law for over 100 lecturers from universities and colleges, as well as officials working in religious affairs in the southern provinces.
6. Successfully organized numerous international conferences and signed cooperation agreements with many prestigious universities around the world.
Dozens of successful international conferences were a highlight of the university's scientific achievements last year. Beyond discussing theoretical issues within their respective fields, these conferences consistently focused on applying research findings to address practical development problems in Vietnamese localities; simultaneously seeking opportunities for international cooperation, networking, and sharing within the scientific community and the global community.
Some notable international conferences include: the conference "Preserving the cultural heritage of ethnic minorities in mountainous regions in conjunction with sustainable tourism product development in the context of globalization" organized by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in collaboration with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Lao Cai province; and the international conference "Vietnam in World History" organized by the University in collaboration with the Vietnam Historical Science Association and the World Historical Society in December 2013 to present multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research on Vietnam.
The University's position in international relations has been increasingly enhanced through the signing and implementation of cooperation agreements with a series of large and prestigious universities in the region and the world, such as: Mahidol University (Thailand), Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), Brigham Young University (USA), University of Johannesburg (South Africa), National Chengchi University, National Taiwan Normal University (Taiwan), Korea University of Cultural Heritage, University of Glasgow (UK), Meiji University (Japan); and foundations and corporations such as: AEON Group (Japan), Friedrich-Ebert Stiftung Foundation (Germany)... To date, the University has collaborated with over 180 international partners. Many large-scale international cooperation programs have been implemented in both training and research, opening up new opportunities to help scientists, students, and postgraduate students improve their skills and integrate more deeply with the international scientific and university community.
7. Establish the Institute of Policy and Management, a model combining training and research, and the first research institution in this field within Vietnamese universities.
On April 16, 2013, the Institute of Policy and Management was established by upgrading the Center for Policy Research and Analysis, University of Social Sciences and Humanities. The Institute's functions and mission include research and training of management personnel and experts in policy science and management. With the motto "Think tank – Perception – Innovation," the Institute focuses on creativity and application, linking and bringing together a network of policy organizations in Vietnam.
The Institute of Policy and Management was established to make a significant contribution to the development of the field of policy analysis and policy planning at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, contributing to improving the capacity and skills of human resources in the field of policy and management science, especially science and education management in Vietnam.
8. Signing of the handover agreement for Phase I of the Investment Project for the Development of the Center for Journalism and Communication Professionals and signing of a cooperation agreement with the Vietnam Journalists Association.
On July 11, 2013, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities held a handover ceremony for the in-depth investment project to build a journalism and media training experimental center from Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and a signing ceremony for a cooperation agreement with the Vietnam Journalists Association.
The project to invest in the construction of a Journalism and Media Training Experiment Center was implemented over three years (2010-2012) at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities to equip the University with a comprehensive and modern infrastructure for journalism training, including a studio, editing rooms, sound recording rooms, online news rooms, print news rooms, photojournalism rooms, etc., meeting standards equivalent to many current media organizations.
At the ceremony, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the Vietnam Journalists Association officially signed a cooperation agreement. This cooperation between a leading journalism training institution in the country and a major political, social, and professional organization representing tens of thousands of journalists nationwide is expected to bring about positive changes in journalism training and the professional activities of journalists in the future.
9. Training of high school history teachers nationwide within the framework of the international conference "Vietnam in World History"
On December 28th, a large-scale training course was held, jointly organized by the Ministry of Education and Training, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, and the World Historical Society. Over 200 high school history teachers from 63 provinces and cities nationwide participated. Attendees listened to presentations from leading Vietnamese and international experts on modern historical research perspectives and methods; research and teaching of Vietnamese history in comparison with world history; skills and methods for teaching high school history; and research and teaching experiences from countries with advanced science and education systems. This activity was part of the international conference "Vietnam in World History," jointly organized by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, the Vietnam Historical Science Association, and the World Historical Society in December 2013.
10. The 6th Congress of Student Representatives of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities
The Congress of Delegates of the Vietnam Student Union of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities took place on March 16, 2013, with the participation of nearly 200 student delegates. The conference heard and discussed the report summarizing the Union's work and student movement during the 5th term (2010-2013) and the direction of work for the 6th term (2013-2015).
During its sixth term, the University's Student Union has determined to diversify its activities to promote and inspire aspirations and ideals among students; proactively and creatively implement various club programs to enhance life skills, integration capabilities, professional expertise, foreign language proficiency, learning methods, and research skills; contribute to shaping the unique style and identity of students at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities; and develop the Union's leadership at all levels. The Congress approved the direction and tasks of the Union's work and student movement for the sixth term with the slogan "Creativity - Connection - Reaching Further".
