Reception of Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam

Ambassador David Devine shared that the bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and Canada has grown remarkably in recent years, for example, the trade turnover between the two countries increased by 2.8 billion USD in the first 9 months of 2015. After the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) was signed, the two countries have more opportunities to further promote cooperation. However, according to the Ambassador, the understanding and awareness of Vietnamese people about Canada is still limited, especially in basic areas such as history, law, culture and society. Therefore, he believes that it is necessary to further promote educational cooperation between Vietnam and Canada as a way to enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples and the two countries. According to the Ambassador, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities can be a reliable address to contribute to strengthening this relationship.

Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Quang Minh discusses cooperation opportunities with Ambassador David Devine (Photo: Tran Minh)

In response, Associate Professor Dr. Pham Quang Minh pledged that the USSH will do its best to promote the educational relationship between Canada and Vietnam as the leading university in social sciences and humanities in the country. The President proposed a number of cooperative activities such as exchanging lecturers and students between the University and Canadian universities; organizing exhibitions introducing Canadian history and culture at the University; organizing international conferences on issues related to the two countries; and especially establishing a documentation room on Canada in particular and American studies in general at the University. The Faculty of International Studies will be the focal point for cooperation with the Canadian Embassy in Vietnam in implementing this documentation room. Currently, the Faculty of International Studies is one of the only addresses training in American studies in the country, including studies on the United States, Canada and Latin American countries.

Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Quang Minh took a souvenir photo with the Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam (Photo: Tran Minh)

Ambassador David Devine welcomed the proposals of Associate Professor Dr. Pham Quang Minh, especially the idea of ​​building a document room on America and Canada. The Ambassador said that the Canadian Embassy in Vietnam will support the USSH with facilities, documents (including books, textbooks, lectures and films) as well as knowledge for this document room. At the same time, the Embassy will also help build partnerships between the University and universities in Canada in the future.

On March 4, 2015, Associate Professor Dr. Pham Quang Minh and many staff, lecturers and students of the Faculty of International Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities attended the presentation of HE Ambassador David Devine on the topic "Strong Women, Strong World".