On December 16 in Hanoi, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in collaboration with Bansomdej Chaopraya University (Thailand) organized an international seminar on building Southeast Asian Studies.The seminar was attended by representatives of leaders of 10 universities in Southeast Asia and Vietnam: Bansomdej Chaopraya University (Thailand), National University of Laos, International University of Cambodia, Polytechnic University of Cambodia, Utara Malaysia University, Tianjin Normal University (China), Guangxi University for Nationalities (China), Hue University of Sciences, University of Social Sciences and Humanities (VNU-HCMC), Tay Nguyen University. The main content of the seminar was to discuss the development of a Southeast Asian Studies program - a program that is applicable to many countries and universities in the region. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh - Rector of the University - in his opening speech emphasized: Based on the program framework drafted by Bansomdej Chaopraya University and especially based on the results of the two seminars held in March and May in Thailand and Laos, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (VNU) has supplemented and adjusted the Southeast Asian Studies program to make the program more complete. In this seminar, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities will present the adjustments and supplements and hopes to receive comments from university representatives. From there, the universities will discuss together to build a training program framework on Southeast Asian Studies in the future that reflects internationality, is diverse in content, and is suitable for the characteristics of each university, aiming to train more and more high-quality human resources in Southeast Asian Studies.
The original Southeast Asian Studies curriculum framework drafted by Bansomdej Chaopraya University consisted of 132 credits, and general subjects would be taught in English. However, from the general idea of the program being consistent with the general characteristics of Southeast Asia and the characteristics of each country, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities adjusted it to a minimum of 132 credits and a maximum of 141 credits. 132 credits will be divided into general education and specialized education knowledge blocks, the gap between the minimum and maximum of 9 credits will be reserved for studying English and native languages, depending on the adjustment of each country. In addition, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities also has a number of proposals on the exchange of experts, lecturers, learning materials, input standards, output standards, etc. to create a common consistency. 17 opinions from university representatives mainly discussed issues such as: how to integrate training programs to suit the realities of each country, admission standards, employment, foreign language learning, etc.
In the current context, the development of a Southeast Asian studies program applicable to many countries is very necessary and meaningful, the Southeast Asian program will be a highly international program. Therefore, all schools expressed their desire to participate in more detailed and specific discussions about the Southeast Asian studies program in the future. Some other opinions suggested that the program should be open and suitable for each country. And the program development must pay attention to foreign language issues, employment for students after graduation and be suitable for the educational regulations of each country. In addition, it is necessary to strengthen the knowledge factor of economics and business to attract more subjects... Due to limited time, the delegates agreed that in the next discussion, each issue raised by this discussion will be discussed specifically.
