Rector of University of Social Sciences and Humanities works in Bulgaria and 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 10 to June 12, in the capital Sofia, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh had working sessions with Prof. Dr. Ivan Ilchev, Rector of Sofia University, the leading university in Bulgaria. Also participating in the meeting were Assoc. Prof. Maria Stoicheva (Deputy Head of the Faculty of Philosophy), Prof. Plamen Mitev (Head of the Faculty of History), Prof. Alexander Fedotoff (Director of the Center for Oriental Languages ​​and Cultures). Regarding the content of the exchange with Sofia University, both Rectors affirmed that they will continue to promote the good relationship between the two sides within the framework of the Cooperation Agreement signed on September 4, 2012. Specifically, in the coming time, the establishment of the Center for Vietnamese Studies (expected in October 2014) at Sofia University will be implemented. To prepare for this work, 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 coming time, Sofia University will send students to do short-term internships in Vietnamese language and Vietnamese studies 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 wish 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 - social transition process in Bulgaria and experiences for Vietnam. In 2015, the Faculty of Philosophy, Sofia University plans to organize an annual conference (in June every year) on the European Union in Sofia and will invite lecturers and researchers on Europe from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities to attend this conference.

Prof. Dr. 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 visited the University's Botanical Garden with many plants of special value.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh is looking at 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 13 to 17), Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh visited and worked with the leaders of the Moscow State University of Culture and Arts. The delegation included Prof. Dr. TV Kuznetsova, Acting Rector of the Moscow State University of Culture and Arts; Prof. Dr. LS Zharkova, Permanent Vice Rector, and Vice Rectors in charge of science, foreign affairs, and training. During the meeting, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh expressed his sincere thanks to the Moscow State University of Culture and Arts for helping the University train staff in the field of library information and culture in the past and present. The Rector of the two schools, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh and Prof. Dr. Kuznetsova signed a cooperation agreement to officially establish a bilateral scientific cooperation relationship in the coming time in the fields of library information, literature, art studies, and cinema. The topic of preserving and promoting traditional culture in the context of globalization was also discussed by the two sides for a joint research project and workshop in the coming time.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh and Prof. Dr. TV Kuznetsova (Rector of Moscow State University of Culture and Arts) presented the signed cooperation document.(Photo: Tran Diep Thanh sent to USSH)

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

In addition to his official working hours, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh spent time in Moscow visiting Lenin's Mausoleum, the Monument to the Unknown Soldiers, visiting the History Museum, and meeting with representatives of the Vietnamese Association in Russia to seek cooperation opportunities between the University and the Vietnamese community in the Russian Federation in the fields of education and cultural exchange.