This coming Wednesday morning (March 23, 2011), at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Hanoi), more than 500 Vietnamese and international students will participate in the program "Sharing with Our Japanese Friends" about the losses from the recent earthquake.
At this event, students will be introduced to Japan, its people, and culture, as well as informed about the aftermath of the earthquake affecting the Japanese people. They will also directly participate in a campaign to fold 10,000 paper cranes – a symbol of peace and hope in Eastern culture – and write prayers for the Japanese people and commemorate the nearly 10,000 victims of the recent disaster. In particular, students will share lessons on culture and communication during the disaster, drawn from the Japanese people's efforts to prepare for and respond to the earthquake. Furthermore, a fundraising campaign to support the Japanese people will be officially launched among all faculty and students of the University at this event. The "Sharing with Japanese Friends" ceremony will be attended by Mr. Takeji Yoshikawa, Director of the Vietnam-Japan Cultural Exchange Center, under the Japan Foundation.
Speaking about the idea behind organizing this program, Dr. Nguyen Quang Lieu – Head of the Political and Student Affairs Department, and Head of the Organizing Committee – said: “This is an opportunity for faculty and students of the university to develop the humanistic values that the university is striving for. Through this, teachers and students at the university show their sharing and empathy with our Japanese friends who are suffering many losses.” It is known that Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh – the Rector of the University – also led a delegation from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities to visit and offer condolences to the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam. The University of Social Sciences and Humanities currently has 18 undergraduate programs, nearly 30 postgraduate programs, and a total of nearly 13,000 students. This is the first university in the Vietnam National University, Hanoi to convert its training method from the semester system to the credit system (since 2006). Thanks to this, nearly 40 students at the university have shortened their study time to just 3 years, and many students are able to simultaneously earn multiple university degrees. The university has a Japanese Studies major, taught and researched by the Faculty of Oriental Studies, and has received active cooperation and support from Japanese agencies and organizations over the years. Please contact Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen - Tel: 012021.36866, email: huyenanh02@yahoo.com, ntthuyen@ussh.edu.vn or Ms. Hoang Thi Thu Ha - Tel: 0915.844.759, email: hoanghamt@gmail.com for more details.
