Meeting and working with representatives from Brigham Young University (USA)

From 2012 to the present, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, has successfully collaborated with Brigham Young University (USA) and the Institute for Global Engagement (USA) to organize four short-term training courses on religion and the rule of law in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and the central provinces. The 2015 course was held at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. These courses attracted a large number of participants, including religious affairs officials and university lecturers in the fields of political science, law, and religion from provinces across the country. In addition, Brigham Young University, in collaboration with the US Department of State, the Institute for Global Engagement, and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, organized a conference on "Religion and the Rule of Law" in Washington D.C. on May 12, 2015.

Associate Professor Pham Quang Minh expressed his gratitude to Brigham Young University for its contributions to the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Photo: Tran Minh).

On behalf of the University's leadership, Associate Professor Pham Quang Minh highly appreciated the long-standing and continuous cooperation of Brigham Young University in research and training on religion, one of the important fields of social sciences and humanities. The Rector hoped that the University would continue to cooperate with Brigham Young University in other activities such as expanding the scope of courses on religion and law to two other provinces, Dien Bien and Son La, building a library of religious materials at the Philosophy Faculty, as well as organizing a joint master's program in religion. All of these will contribute practically to the establishment of a Religious Studies Department at the University in the near future.

Professor W. Cole Durham highly appreciated the ideas of Associate Professor Pham Quang Minh and proposed that the two sides sign a formal cooperation agreement in February. This agreement will serve as a framework for both sides to further expand training and research activities, particularly focusing on religious studies in Southeast Asia. Simultaneously, the two universities will seek funding from organizations interested in Religious Studies to organize seminars on religion and the rule of law.

Associate Professor Pham Quang Minh poses for a commemorative photo with Professor W. Cole Durham (Photo: Tran Minh)

Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah, founded in 1875. Brigham Young University offers undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs through 11 colleges. Programs taught include business; education; engineering & technology; social & family sciences; fine arts & media; health & human performance; humanities; international studies; law; life sciences; nursing; physical & mathematical sciences; and religious education.