The Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities is working in Bulgaria and the Russian Federation.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh and Prof. Dr. Ivan Ilchev (Rector of Sofia University, Bulgaria).(Photo: Tran Diep Thanh sent to USSH)

From June 10th to 12th, in Sofia, Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh held working sessions with Professor Dr. Ivan Ilchev, Rector of Sofia University, the leading university in Bulgaria. Also participating were Associate Professor Maria Stoicheva (Deputy Head of the Philosophy Faculty), Professor Plamen Mitev (Head of the History Faculty), and Professor Alexander Fedotoff (Director of the Center for Oriental Languages ​​and Cultures). Regarding the content of the exchange with Sofia University, both Rectors affirmed their commitment to further promoting the good relationship between the two sides within the framework of the cooperation agreement signed on September 4th, 2012. Specifically, in the near future, they will implement the establishment of a Center for Vietnamese Studies (expected in October 2014) at Sofia University. To prepare for this project, Sofia University plans to invite two lecturers from the University to teach Vietnamese History, Culture, Law, and Politics at the Center for Oriental Language and Culture Studies. In the future, Sofia University will send students for short-term Vietnamese language and Vietnamese studies internships at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Working with the Faculty of Philosophy, Associate Professor Maria Stoicheva, Vice Dean of the Faculty, expressed her desire to co-organize international scientific conferences and joint research projects with the University of Social Sciences and Humanities on topics of mutual interest such as: civil society issues in Bulgaria, religious issues, the economic, cultural, and social transition process in Bulgaria and lessons for Vietnam. In 2015, the Faculty of Philosophy, Sofia University, plans to organize an annual conference (in June) on the European Union in Sofia and will invite lecturers from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities specializing in European studies to participate.

Professor Nguyen Van Khanh also visited the library of Sofia University, the second largest library in Bulgaria with 2.5 million documents, including very rare documents from the 17th century, and the university's botanical garden with many species of special value.

Professor Nguyen Van Khanh is reviewing valuable documents at the library of Sofia University, Bulgaria. (Photo: Tran Diep Thanh, sent to USSH)

In Moscow, the capital of the Russian Federation (from June 13th to 17th), Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh visited and worked with the leadership of the Moscow State University of Culture and Arts. The delegation was received by Professor Dr. TV Kuznetsova, Acting Rector of the Moscow State University of Culture and Arts; Professor Dr. LS Zharkova, Permanent Vice-Rector; and the Vice-Rectors in charge of science, foreign affairs, and training. During the meeting, Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh expressed his sincere gratitude to the Moscow State University of Culture and Arts for their assistance in training personnel in the fields of information, library, and culture both in the past and present. The two Rectors, Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh and Professor Dr. [Name of other representative]... Kuznetsova signed a cooperation agreement to formally establish a bilateral scientific collaboration in the fields of library and information science, literature, art studies, and film. The topic of preserving and promoting traditional culture in the context of globalization was also discussed for a future joint research project and workshop.

Professor Nguyen Van Khanh and Professor TV Kuznetsova (Acting Rector of the Moscow State University of Culture and Arts) exchanged the newly signed cooperation agreement.(Photo: Tran Diep Thanh sent to USSH)

In addition, Professor Nguyen Van Khanh also held a working session with experts researching Vietnam: Dr. Evgeny Kobelev, Vice President of the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association and Deputy Director of the Center for ASEAN and Vietnam Studies; and Dr. Anatoli A. Sokolov, Russian Academy of Sciences, to discuss research on the South China Sea and the publication of works on Vietnamese history and culture in the Russian Federation.

In addition to his official work hours, Professor Nguyen Van Khanh spent time in Moscow visiting Lenin's Mausoleum, the Monument to the Unknown Soldier, touring the Historical Museum, and meeting with representatives of the Vietnamese Association in Russia to explore possibilities for cooperation between the University and the Vietnamese community in the Russian Federation in the fields of education and cultural exchange.