On November 18, 2011, immediately following the signing of the cooperation agreement between the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the Graduate School of Culture, University of Tokyo, the opening ceremony of the Japan Research Support Program Office was held.The Japanese Studies Support Program is one of the contents of the cooperation agreement between the two universities. This program is sponsored by Zensho Corporation to promote the development of Japanese studies in Vietnam and is one of Zensho Corporation's "Support for Training Asian Talents" activities for the University of Tokyo. The program is expected to last for 5 years. Attending the opening ceremony, on the Japanese side were: Professor Hasegawa Toshikazu - President of the Graduate School of General Culture, Professor Furuta Motoo - Director General of the University of Tokyo Library, Mr. Sugiyama Kenichi - Vice President of the University of Tokyo, and Mr. Ogawa Kentaro - Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director of Zensho Corporation. Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Nguyen Van Khanh - Rector of the University - thanked the University of Tokyo for its cooperation and assistance in establishing the Japanese Studies Program in Hanoi. The Rector stated that in 1995, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities established the Japanese Studies department under the Faculty of Oriental Studies. The Japanese Studies program is structured around regional studies combined with Japanese language training. In the future, the university plans to develop Japanese Studies into an independent program offering bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Annually, Tokyo Graduate School of Culture will send lecturers to teach at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. Simultaneously, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities will also send young lecturers and students for internships at Tokyo Graduate School of Culture. This program supporting Japanese studies will contribute to the development of Japanese Studies at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and in Vietnam, further strengthening the strategic cooperation between Vietnam and Japan.
Professor Hasegawa Toshikazu, Rector of the Graduate School of General Culture, affirmed that the two universities have had a close cooperative relationship for many years. Since 2008, they have implemented a distance learning program. Professor Hasegawa Toshikazu emphasized that the Department of Japanese Studies at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities is one of Vietnam's key centers for Japanese studies, and it will be a place to sow the seeds for the field of Japanese studies in Vietnam from now on. The Japanese studies program is a joint contribution of the staff and lecturers of both universities. Mr. Ogawa Kentaro, Chairman and CEO of Zensho Group, said that Zensho Group sponsors this program with the desire to promote cooperative relations between Vietnam and Japan. Mr. Ogawa Kentaro expressed his admiration for the indomitable spirit and will of the Vietnamese people, both in the past and present. He believes that both Vietnamese and Japanese people are hardworking and constantly striving, and that in the future, both countries will become strong developed nations. He hopes that the Japan Studies Support Program will be one of the activities that creates opportunities for young people to contribute to building the future of their respective countries.
