Closing ceremony of the short course on the rule of law and religion.

Associate Professor Pham Quang Minh (Vice Rector of the University) highly appreciated the effectiveness of the course.

Attending the closing ceremony were Professor Wayne Cole Durham, Director of the International Centre for Law and Religion, Brigham Young University (USA); Ms. Vu Thi Mai Hien, representative of the Institute for Global Engagement (IGE) in Vietnam; and Associate Professor Pham Quang Minh, Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

Speaking at the ceremony, Associate Professor Pham Quang Minh, Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, highly appreciated the position and role of the short-term course: “This 4th training course is for about 70 participants. These are researchers, lecturers, or those conducting practical activities who have been carefully selected from various agencies and departments. Participating in the course helps participants update information, improve their skills, and acquire new research methods and experiences that they will apply to their work when they return to their respective agencies.”

Over the course of 10 days, the course discussed and debated many issues facing numerous countries. These included issues such as religious offenses, religious freedom, and the relationship between religion and law. Experts and participants collaboratively addressed and discussed these prominent issues. The various aspects of the problems were explored, discussed, and solutions proposed that could be applied to many countries, rather than focusing on isolated cases.

Professor Wayne Cole Durham, Director of the International Center for Law and Religion at Brigham Young University (USA), is speaking at the closing ceremony.

“We have reached out to students from many different fields. They have become aware of the role and position of religion in life. This helps to make society more stable, sustainably increasing stability and prosperity. This will help Vietnam attract more investment in the future, creating job opportunities for the people. That is the benefit of everyone understanding religion and the rule of law,” Professor Wayne Cole Durham, Director of the International Center for Law and Religion, Brigham Young University (USA), shared in his speech.

From 2012 to the present, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, has successfully collaborated with Brigham Young University (USA) and the Institute for Global Engagement (USA) to organize four short-term training courses on religion and the rule of law in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and the central provinces. This year's course (2015) was held at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. These courses attracted a large number of participants, including religious affairs officials and university lecturers in the fields of political science, law, and religion from provinces across the country.

Here are some photos from the certificate awarding ceremony at the closing event:

Associate Professor Pham Quang Minh presents certificates to the students.

Professor Wayne Cole Durham, Director of the International Center for Law and Religion at Brigham Young University (USA), presents certificates to the students.

Professor Brett G. Schaffs, Brigham Young University (USA) awards certificates to students.

Professor Dr. Do Quang Hung (University of Social Sciences and Humanities) presents certificates to the trainees.