Welcoming guests from the University of Montana (USA)

On the afternoon of January 13, 2010, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Kim, Vice Rector of the University, received Professor Dr. Karen Adams from the Department of Political Science and Ms. Deena Mansour from the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Institute (part of the University of Montana, USA).

Ms. Deena Mansour thanked the University for sending highly qualified faculty and lecturers to lecture and participate in conferences in Montana during the past semester. The practical collaborative activities over the past year not only provided opportunities for University of Montana faculty and students to gain a deeper understanding of Vietnam's history, culture, and international relations, but also contributed to strengthening the cooperative relationship between the two universities. Ms. Mansour also conveyed Professor Weidner's formal proposal for two planned collaborative programs in 2010:

1. Bilateral cooperation to organize a scientific conference on Vietnam at the University of Montana in the fall of 2010.

2. We request that the School continue to send faculty members to lecture on Vietnamese economic and trade issues during the first semester of the 2010-2011 academic year.

On behalf of the University, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim thanked the University of Montana for its strategic importance in the relationship with the University, and affirmed that the University would strive to cooperate in successfully organizing the Scientific Conference on Vietnam. The University will also arrange for staff to teach in Montana at the end of 2010.

Following the reception, the Faculty of History's Youth Union organized a scientific seminar entitled "Vietnam and the Emerging International System" between Professor Karen Adams and faculty and students of the Faculty of History. In addition to professional discussions, at the end of the session, Professor Adams and Ms. Mansour also spent considerable time answering students' questions about methods and opportunities for studying in Montana.

Following the official cooperation agreement signed in early 2009, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the University of Montana have implemented numerous professional collaboration activities. The University of Social Sciences and Humanities sent staff to the University of Montana to attend a scientific conference on "Aging and its socio-economic impacts on America and Asia," and to give guest lectures on Vietnamese history and culture at the University of Montana. The University is also planning to send staff to the University of Montana in the near future to learn from its experience in training, scientific research organization, and educational management.