The University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the Vietnam-Japan University: Cooperation in the spirit of "One VNU"

Wednesday - July 11, 2018 20:54

On July 11, 2018, Professor Pham Quang Minh met and worked with Professor Furuta Motoo (Rector of the Vietnam-Japan University, VNU Hanoi) to promote cooperation between the two sides, especially in the field of education.

Sharing information about the Vietnam-Japan University, Professor Furuta Motoo stated that the university is a symbol of the excellent cooperative relationship between the Governments of Vietnam and Japan. The university was established by a decision of the Prime Minister in 2014 and officially commenced operations in September 2016. The university receives direct support from the Japanese government to become a center of excellence in training and research in Asia.

In terms of training and scientific research, the University follows a liberal arts education philosophy. The goal of this philosophy is to train students with a broad knowledge base, rich creativity, and global citizenship skills. The University focuses on training and research in two main areas: advanced engineering technology and interdisciplinary science.

Currently, the University is offering seven high-quality master's programs: Master of Nanotechnology, Master of Environmental Engineering, Master of Infrastructure Engineering, Master of Area Studies, Master of Public Policy, Master of Business Administration, and Master of Climate Change and Development. These master's programs are developed and implemented based on the curriculum framework and training technology transferred from partner universities in Japan.

Professor Furuta Motoo expressed his hope that the Vietnam-Japan University and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities could promote opportunities for cooperation to support each other by leveraging each other's strengths.

Specifically, the Vietnam-Japan University plans to open several undergraduate programs in interdisciplinary social sciences and sustainable sciences. By 2019, the University will open and operate its first undergraduate program in the interdisciplinary social sciences. Professor Furuta Motoo suggested that the University of Social Sciences and Humanities could provide input to refine this undergraduate program. At the same time, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities could recommend qualified lecturers to assist in developing teaching materials and teaching the modules within the program.

Professor Pham Quang Minh shared his understanding of the initial challenges faced by a young university, while also expressing his empathy for the dedication and efforts of the Rector – a renowned Japanese Vietnam studies scholar with strong ties to Vietnam and to the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU Hanoi in particular.

Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh also affirmed that, in the spirit of “One VNU”, the University will make the greatest effort to promote cooperation with Vietnam - Japan University. The Rector also affirmed that interdisciplinary social science training is a correct direction and in line with the general trend. Interdisciplinary science is contributing to solving many major practical problems of life effectively, overcoming the limitations that individual scientific fields are facing. The University of Social Sciences and Humanities has many strengths in training and research in social sciences and humanities with a team of leading scientists in many fields, especially many young lecturers who have studied at advanced universities in the Netherlands, UK, Australia, Japan, Korea, etc. Therefore, cooperation between the two sides has many prospects.

At the meeting, lecturers of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities also shared initial ideas on the construction of a new training program of the Vietnam - Japan University, in order to both ensure the requirements according to general regulations and create unique and attractive features according to the training orientation of the University and have the ability to attract and approach learners easily.

Professor Furuta Motoo is a Vietnam researcher in Japan who has been there since the early 1970s. He had an early relationship with Hanoi University, the predecessor of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.
From 1975, Hanoi University sent Vietnamese language teachers to Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, and he studied under Professor Nguyen Cao Dam for three years. Afterward, he had the opportunity to visit Vietnam and engage in academic exchanges with renowned Vietnamese professors such as Professor Phan Huy Le and Professor Tran Quoc Vuong.
Since the early 1990s, Professor Furuta Motoo has helped many scholars from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities to study and conduct research in Japan.
Since 1999, Professor Furuta Motoo has been involved in the administration of the University of Tokyo, holding positions such as President of the General Studies Department, Vice President of the University of Tokyo, and Director of the Library. This has facilitated his efforts to promote exchanges between the University of Tokyo and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. From 1999 to 2014, he was one of the initiators and organizers of the Forum of Four Key East Asian Universities.. This is a forum on higher education, mainly in the field of social sciences and humanities, between four representative universities of East Asia: Peking University, Seoul University, Tokyo University and VNU. On the occasion of the first BESETOHA conference held in Hanoi in 2001, Tokyo University signed an official cooperation agreement with the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
In 2003, Professor Furuta Motoo was awarded an honorary doctorate by Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) for his contributions to promoting exchange and cooperation activities within VNU.
In 2016, Professor Furuta Motoo was appointed Rector of the Vietnam-Japan University, the 7th member university of Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

Author:Thanh Ha

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