Center for Research and Development of Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Regions

The Center for Research and Development of Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Regions (named upon establishment: Center for Research and Consulting on Socio-Economic Development of Ethnic Minorities in Vietnam, abbreviated as the Center for Research and Development of Ethnic Minorities) is a coordinating and collaborative institution affiliated with several departments within and outside the Vietnam National University, Hanoi, to conduct applied research, provide consulting, and promote socio-economic development for ethnic minorities in Vietnam. It is under the direct supervision of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi.English trade name: Centre “Research for Development of Mountainous Region and Ethnic Minorities” (abbreviated as RDME). Headquarters: Room 408, Building A, 336 Nguyen Trai Street, Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi. Telephone: (84-4) 35576847. Email: doihanh@yahoo.com; hoahn.ussh@gmail.com. The Center operates under a financially autonomous and self-accounting system, has legal personality, its own seal and bank account; operates in accordance with the laws of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; operates according to Decree No. 35/HĐBT dated January 28, 1992 of the Council of Ministers on the management of science and technology, based on the regulations of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Functions and responsibilities

1. Scientific researchTo coordinate and collaborate with several departments and faculties within and outside Hanoi National University to research issues related to the socio-economic and cultural development of mountainous regions and ethnic minorities in Vietnam.2. Development ConsultingParticipating in advising on issues related to economic development, human resource development, poverty reduction, improving public education, protecting public health, protecting the environment, protecting territorial sovereignty and borders, protecting social security and order, etc., in mountainous regions and among ethnic minorities in Vietnam.3. Social activitiesTo carry out activities in social fields that contribute to the sustainable development of mountainous and ethnic minority regions in the process of industrialization and modernization of Vietnam.4. Professional developmentTo preside over or coordinate the opening of short-term training courses on socio-economic and cultural development in mountainous regions and ethnic minority areas in Vietnam, related to scientific research and development consulting tasks.5. Building a data source: To build a database to provide encyclopedic information about mountainous regions and ethnic minorities in Vietnam (such as: indigenous knowledge of ethnic groups, customs and traditions, lifestyles, religions, beliefs, multicultural social environment, etc.)

Organization and personnel

The Center's organizational structure includes: the Director and Deputy Directors; the Scientific Advisory Council; the Office and specialized departments. The Center's Scientific Advisory Council currently comprises 9 members, including 3 Professors/Doctors of Science, 5 Associate Professors/Doctors of Science, and 1 Master of Science. The Center has over 20 reputable and experienced scientists, administrators, and experts working in related fields as collaborators.

Domestic and international cooperation

The Center is authorized to establish cooperative relationships, exchanges, and transactions with research organizations, governmental and non-governmental organizations, both domestic and international, to seek projects, topics, and funding sources, as well as to establish bilateral or multilateral relationships in research activities to enhance scientific research coordination, improve consulting skills and the quality of social activities, and enhance professional training capacity to serve research on socio-economic and cultural development in mountainous regions and ethnic minority areas in Vietnam. In 2010, in addition to its scientific research mission, signing scientific cooperation agreements and co-organizing international scientific conferences with several universities in Thailand, the Center intensified its activities in social fields to contribute to the sustainable development of mountainous regions and ethnic minority areas in the process of industrialization and modernization of Vietnam. In these activities, the Center is focusing on gradually building the "Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Region Education Development Fund" to assist teachers, students, and schools in ethnic minority and mountainous regions, contributing to further promoting education in this unique territory of Vietnam. At the same time, the Center is preparing to establish a data bank to provide encyclopedic information about mountainous regions and ethnic minorities in Vietnam (such as: indigenous knowledge of ethnic groups, customs and traditions, lifestyles, religions, beliefs, multicultural social environment, etc.) to provide society, businesses, etc. with comprehensive information about this important territory, contributing to the sustainable development of the country in the process of industrialization and modernization.