Meeting with the Chairperson of the Network for Humanitarian Action (NOHA)

During the meeting, Professor Joost Herman introduced the Global Humanitarian Action Network (NOHA) affiliated with the University of Groningen. NOHA is an association of universities worldwide aiming to enhance professionalism in humanitarian work through education and training, research and publications, and projects. Currently, the Network has 12 partner universities in Europe and 8 partners globally. In the context of international humanitarian issues playing an increasingly strong role in international relations, NOHA wishes to expand its network to other regions of the world, such as Southeast Asia. Professor Joost Herman stated that NOHA has chosen Vietnam in general, and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in particular, as a bridge for this expansion.

On behalf of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh expressed his honor that NOHA has chosen the University as a trusted partner to promote its network expansion in Southeast Asia. This is also very much in line with the University's orientation to enhance its position internationally through international cooperation with partners within and outside the region. The Rector pledged that the University of Social Sciences and Humanities will create the best conditions to expand its influence and raise awareness of NOHA among the University and other universities in Vietnam.

Associate Professor Pham Quang Minh discusses proposals for cooperation with Professor Joost Herman.

The Rector proposed several collaborative activities between the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and NOHA, such as student and faculty exchanges, and organizing lectures on Humanitarian Action and International Humanitarian Law. Additionally, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and NOHA could leverage their relationships with other partners, such as the International Red Cross Committee Office in Vietnam and the University of Queensland, to organize activities related to Humanitarian Law and International Humanitarian Action. To kickstart these activities, on April 15, 2016, NOHA will collaborate with the Faculty of International Studies to organize a meeting of experts on Humanitarian Law and International Humanitarian Action. This will serve as a stepping stone for the University to sign a formal cooperation agreement with NOHA in particular and the University of Groningen in general.

Associate Professor Pham Quang Minh poses for a commemorative photo with Professor Joost Herman.

The University of Social Sciences and Humanities is one of the few institutions in Vietnam that organizes training courses on International Humanitarian Law. The Faculty of International Studies has collaborated with the International Red Cross Committee Office in Vietnam to organize courses and workshops on International Humanitarian Law, such as the seminar "Humanitarian Law and International Conflict" in September 2015 and the workshop "Humanitarian Action in Conflicts and Natural Disasters" in November 2015. The Faculty will soon add International Humanitarian Law to its undergraduate degree program.