Graduation ceremony for the first cohort of Bachelor of Religious Studies students and enrollment for the second cohort in Kien Giang.

Professor Nguyen Dinh Duc - Head of the Training Department of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, presents diplomas to the new graduates.

Attending the graduation ceremony were: Most Venerable Danh Dong – Standing Member of the Central Executive Council, Head of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Kien Giang province; Venerable Thich Minh Nhan – Member of the Central Executive Council, Deputy Head of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Executive Board, Principal of the Kien Giang Provincial Buddhist College; and Venerable Thich Phap Tri – Chief Secretary of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Kien Giang province.

Representing the leadership of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities were: Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Duc – Head of the Training Department of Vietnam National University, Hanoi; Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan – Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Kim Oanh – Head of the Department of Religious Studies; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Ba Trinh – former Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front. Also attending the ceremony were Mr. Danh Lam – Head of the Provincial Religious Affairs Department; Mr. Huynh Tien Tam – Head of the Ethnic and Religious Affairs Department, Provincial Party Committee's Mass Mobilization Department; and representatives from local agencies and departments.

In 2016, with the aim of enhancing professional knowledge and meeting the practical needs of religious affairs in the locality, the Kien Giang Provincial Buddhist College collaborated with the University of Social Sciences and Humanities to recruit and launch a part-time Bachelor's degree program in Religious Studies. The classes were held at Phat Quang Pagoda, Rach Gia City, Kien Giang Province. During the course, Phat Quang Pagoda provided accommodation, meals, and living expenses for the monks, nuns, and students to ensure the best possible learning environment.

Professor Hoang Anh Tuan, on behalf of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, received the Certificate of Merit from the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of Kien Giang Province, presented by Venerable Danh Dong.

On behalf of the Buddhist Sangha of Kien Giang province, Venerable Thich Minh Nhan expressed gratitude for the dedication of the teachers who traveled long distances to teach as required by the school, helping the students complete the course. The Venerable stated: Building on the success of this course, the organizing committee is now recruiting for the next course, scheduled to begin in 2020.

Nun Thich Minh Thinh, PhD; Venerable Thich Tue Giai, PhD; and Associate Professor Tran Tri Kim Oanh, PhD, received Certificates of Merit from the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of Kien Giang Province, presented by Venerable Thich Minh Nhan, PhD.

Associate Professor Tran Thi Kim Oanh – Head of the Department of Religious Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, expressed her deep gratitude to the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Kien Giang province and the local authorities for their dedicated support in helping the class successfully complete their studies and today's graduation ceremony for 74 new graduates in Religious Studies.

The group of students with outstanding achievements received a Certificate of Commendation from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.