The launching ceremony of the Department of Religious Studies

[Photo series] The launching ceremony of the Department of Family Religionc

At the beginning of the ceremony, Dr. Ngo Thi Kieu Oanh - Head of the Department of Organization and Personnel of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities announced the decision to establish the Department of Religious Studies and the decision to appoint Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Thi Kim Oanh to the position of Head of the Department of Religious Studies, Dr. Nguyen Thi To Uyen to the position of Deputy Head of the Department of Religious Studies.

Professor Pham Quang Minh, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, spoke at the ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh - Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities emphasized: "The establishment of the Department of Religious Studies has shown the pioneering and leading role of the University. The University of Social Sciences and Humanities is ready to enter new fields, undertake practical scientific issues, serving the cause of industrialization, modernization, innovation and international integration of the country".

In terms of practical needs, Vietnam is a country with a rich religious life with the presence of many forms of religion imported from outside such as Buddhism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, etc. Therefore, religion has a significant influence on many areas of economic, cultural and social life. Therefore, studying religion in Vietnam is really necessary, has strategic significance, and is an important factor to ensure the stability and prosperity of the country.

Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, presented the appointment decision to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Kim Oanh (left) - Head of the Department of Religious Studies, Dr. Nguyen Thi To Uyen (right) - Deputy Head of the Department of Religious Studies.

During the ceremony, Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thi Kim Oanh also affirmed that from now on, Religious Studies in Vietnam will be trained in a complete and systematic manner at a prestigious, high-quality, leading university in Vietnam.

The Department of Religious Studies under the University of Social Sciences and Humanities was developed on the basis of the department of atheism research under the Faculty of Philosophy, which was established in the 80s of the last century. After decades of development, the department was officially separated and became an independent department under the university from July 26, 2016.

The University of Social Sciences and Humanities is the first institution in Vietnam to offer Religious Studies at three levels: bachelor, master and doctorate. The total number of credits in the training program is 139. So far, the school has trained the first course with 50 students.

Most Venerable Dr. Thich Gia Quang - Vice President of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha delivered a congratulatory speech

The formation and growth of the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities has opened a new page in the development of training and research in Religious Studies in Vietnam, marking the growth and maturity of Religious Studies training and the pioneering mission of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in promptly grasping the practical needs of political, socio-economic life and the needs of the spiritual and cultural life of every Vietnamese person.

Delegates take souvenir photos at the ceremony