International Scientific Conference - Research and Teaching of German Thought in Universities

Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Kim (Secretary of the Party Committee, Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) delivered the opening speech at the conference.

Attending the workshop were Dr. Harald Suermann, Director of the Institute for Research on Religion, Federal Republic of Germany; Dr. Anke Stahl, representative of the Academic Exchange Foundation in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia; Ms. Chuong Phuong, representative of the National UNESCO Committee, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Prof. Dr. Tran Van Doan, Fu Jen University, Taiwan; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim, Party Secretary and Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi; and numerous scientists from the Federal Republic of Germany, Taiwan, the United States, Austria, and Indonesia; scientists from the Institute for Contemporary Religion Studies; the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi; the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences; and universities in Hanoi, Central Vietnam, and Da Nang.

The workshop took place within the framework of the annual long-term scientific activities of the Center for Contemporary Religion Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

Dr. Harald Suermann, Director of the Institute for Scientific Research on Religion, Federal Republic of Germany, speaking at the conference.

Germany is the homeland of many renowned scientists in the fields of natural and social sciences. Despite the geographical distance, exchanges between Vietnam and Germany began very early. Many works by Vietnamese scientists have researched the diverse and rich history of German and European philosophy in particular. Numerous studies and articles analyze the strengths and beauty of German thought, and its valuable contributions to Vietnam.

Besides the achievements made, it must also be acknowledged that, for various reasons, the study of German thought in Vietnam has not yet met expectations. This is especially true for research and teaching on German thinkers in the fields of theology and religious studies.

Professor Tran Van Doan, from Fu Jen University (Taiwan), is presenting his keynote address on the topic "Spirit or Ghost - Hegel's Influence on Religious Philosophy".

The conference provides an opportunity for domestic and international scientists to discuss and evaluate the content of German thought, as well as research and teaching activities related to German thought at universities in Vietnam. This will open up new avenues for future research on the subject.

The conference comprises three main subcommittees: subcommittee 1 - issues of metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, aesthetics, and social philosophy; subcommittee 2 - theological issues and religious studies; subcommittee 3 - the influence of German thought on practical issues - the teaching of German thought in universities.