“Some issues on research and training in Religious Studies at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, in Vietnam and around the world”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lai Quoc Khanh (Vice Principal) delivered the opening speech

On behalf of the school's leadership, Vice Principal Lai Quoc Khanh delivered a welcoming speech to the conference. The speech emphasized the position and role of religion as a component of Vietnamese culture, an important resource in the cause of building, protecting and developing the country. The 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam affirmed: "It is necessary to promote cultural values, good ethics and resources of religions for the cause of national development". However, in order to cultivate, exploit and promote religious resources most effectively for the goal of national development, it is necessary to rely on the achievements of scientific research on religion, and to have human resources that are well-trained and specialized in Religious Studies.

The University of Social Sciences and Humanities (VNU), on the basis of inheriting the achievements of research and training in religious studies from its predecessors, has early oriented to build and develop the Religious Studies major in the structure of the University's training majors. On July 26, 2016, the President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities signed Decision No. 3252/QD/XHNV-TC to establish the Department of Religious Studies under the University. The establishment of the Department of Religious Studies with the task of scientific research and training in Religious Studies at all three levels: bachelor's, master's and doctoral has contributed to a more reliable and prestigious address in the research and training of Religious Studies in Vietnam. The conference on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the Department is an opportunity for those working in research and training in Religious Studies in Vietnam to sit together, clearly identify the difficulties - advantages, opportunities - challenges facing Religious Studies training and find solutions to improve the quality of research and training in Religious Studies in Vietnam.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Duc (Head of Training Department, VNU) delivered the opening speech. 

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Duc - Head of Training Department, VNU shared: From a field under the Faculty of Philosophy, the Department of Religious Studies has become an independent unit - this decision demonstrates the remarkable growth of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the vision of the University's leaders. The Department has many advantages compared to other training institutions: it is the first unit in the national education system of the country to carry out the task of researching and training in Religious Studies at all three levels: Bachelor, Master, Doctor; located in a multidisciplinary, multi-field training facility of VNU with many leading experts; great prospects for domestic and international cooperation... In the past 5 years, despite many difficulties and limitations in resources and facilities, the Department has achieved many encouraging achievements in both the fields of training and research, and theories on religious studies. The Department of Religious Studies and the Department of Religious Studies have contributed to providing a constantly growing and mature workforce in many areas of religious activities.

Prof. Dr. Do Quang Hung presented the report "Research methods of religious studies and current training practices in Religious Studies in our country"

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Duc also shared the expectations of the leaders of VNU on the goal of building the Department of Religious Studies into the leading training institution in the country in Religious Studies; linking training and research with social practice, with policy consulting and development guidelines of the Party and State in the field of religion.

After the opening session, the conference focused on discussing two main groups of issues: Research and training in Religious Studies at the Department of Religious Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities at present; Current situation, issues, solutions and comments on development trends for research and training in Religious Studies in Vietnam and in the world today.