Signed a memorandum of cooperation with Brigham Young University (USA)

From 2012 to the present, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, has successfully collaborated with Brigham Young University (USA) and the Institute for Global Engagement (USA) to organize four short-term training courses on religion and the rule of law in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and the central provinces. The 2015 course was held at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. These courses attracted a large number of participants, including religious affairs officials and university lecturers in the fields of political science, law, and religion from provinces across the country. In addition, Brigham Young University, in collaboration with the US Department of State, the Institute for Global Engagement, and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, organized a conference on "Religion and the Rule of Law" in Washington D.C. on May 12, 2015.

Professor James R. Rasband expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

On behalf of the University's leadership, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh highly appreciated the long-term and continuous cooperation of Brigham Young University in research and training on religion, one of the important fields of social sciences and humanities of the University. In response, Prof. W. Cole Durham thanked the University of Social Sciences and Humanities for its enthusiastic and effective cooperation over the past time. Both sides agreed to sign a memorandum of cooperation to lay the foundation for collaboration and work over the next 5 to 10 years between the University and the Centre for Law and Religion Studies at Brigham Young University. This memorandum of cooperation serves as an agenda to guide future collaborative activities. Accordingly, the collaborative activities between the two sides are defined as follows:

- Organized a scientific conference in Hanoi in September 2016, with the Global Engagement Institute as co-organizer and the Templeton Foundation as the sponsor.

- Organize a second workshop with ASEAN member states on the future of religion and the rule of law in the ASEAN region.

- Based on short-term training programs nationwide, organize an open training program on religion and the rule of law in the northern mountainous region in September 2016.

- Welcoming four lecturers from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities to the School of Law (Brigham Young University) to attend courses on law and religion in the United States and on International Law and Religion - Comparative.

- The Center for Law and Religion Studies will continue to invite representatives from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, as well as other Vietnamese representatives selected by the University, to attend the International Conference on Law and Religion held annually in October at the School of Law (Brigham Young University).

- The center will facilitate the participation of candidates from the School in a one-year Master's program in Law at Brigham Young University (USA);

- Further expand the potential for educational exchange between the School of Law (Brigham Young University) and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, including the exchange of faculty and students between the two sides;

- Seek opportunities for lecturers and teaching assistants who have graduated from the Brigham Young University School of Law to teach short-term courses on law and the rule of law at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

- The Center will continue to invite representatives from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities to international and regional conferences, including short-term training programs in China, Myanmar, other places in Southeast Asia, and international scientific conferences;

- The center will seek more opportunities to undertake book translation projects, such as the upcoming book on Law and Religion in the United States;

Associate Professor Pham Quang Minh signs a cooperation agreement with Professor James R. Rasband.

The cooperation agreement was signed on February 16, 2016, between representatives of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, namely Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh (Rector), Prof. Dr. Do Quang Hung (Faculty of Political Science), and Dr. Pham Quoc Thanh (Faculty of Political Science); and representatives of Brigham Young University, namely Prof. Brett G. Scharffs (Deputy Director of the Centre for Law and Religion Studies), Prof. W. Cole Durham (Director of the Centre for Law and Religion Studies), and Prof. James R. Rasband (Dean of the Brigham Young University School of Law).

Associate Professor Pham Quang Minh poses for a commemorative photo with the delegation from Brigham Young University.

Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah, founded in 1875. Brigham Young University offers undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs through 11 colleges. Programs taught include business; education; engineering & technology; social & family sciences; fine arts & media; health & human performance; humanities; international studies; law; life sciences; nursing; physical & mathematical sciences; and religious education.