Meet and work with experts in Digital Humanities.

On behalf of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Professor Pham Quang Minh shared about the strong development of Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU), with its rich history, diverse training programs across 7 member universities, and extensive international relations, becoming the number 1 university in Vietnam and one of the top 200 universities in Asia. In addition, the Rector also exchanged views with experts on higher education in Vietnam, from the history of the Temple of Literature to the current system of public and private universities, which still face difficulties in the internationalization process. Therefore, investments in digital education to connect with international universities are crucial.

Professor Pham Quang Minh held a discussion with representatives of the Digital Humanities Experts Group.

Sharing the common vision of connecting universities in data digitization, foreign experts expressed their desire to collaborate with the University of Social Sciences and Humanities – a leading institution specializing in humanities in Vietnam – to develop this project. The integration of digital technology and humanities research is a relatively new concept in Vietnam. In a spirit of cooperation and learning, the experts and the University exchanged ideas on the methodology, name, timing, and content of a workshop related to the digitization of humanities. Digitized data could help major universities worldwide form networks for educational collaboration, facilitating international exchange and interaction within the humanities. It would also enable students to access comprehensive curricula and materials about the world.

In response, Professor Pham Quang Minh believes that, in the coming year, with the ideas and support from relevant faculties within the university, a group of digital humanities experts from major universities such as Tokyo, Columbia, and Cornell will organize a successful workshop to share knowledge and digitized data on humanities. Initially, the relevant faculties will establish a group of scientists to support and discuss with the experts in order to prepare for and disseminate information about the workshop to participants.

Digital humanities (DH) is an academic field of activity between computing or digital technology and the humanities disciplines. It encompasses the systematic use of digital resources in the humanities, as well as reflection on their application. DH can be defined as collaborative, interdisciplinary, and computational approaches to research, teaching, and publishing. It brings digital tools and methods to the study of the humanities with the recognition that print is no longer the primary means of producing and distributing knowledge. By producing and utilizing new applications and techniques, DH creates new forms of teaching and research. It examines and critiques how digital culture impacts cultural heritage. Therefore, a distinctive feature of DH is the development of a two-way relationship between the humanities and digital: both fields utilize technology to pursue humanities research, along with object-oriented technology for humanities inquiry and questioning.