The University of Social Sciences and Humanities is one of the few universities with a long and rich tradition, proudly linking its development with many important historical milestones of Vietnamese education. Over the past 65 years, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities has made remarkable progress, affirming its position as a leading, key university; with a mission to be at the forefront of creating and disseminating knowledge and training high-quality human resources in social sciences and humanities, serving the cause of national construction and development; and aiming to access and integrate with global science and education. “Taking fundamental science and long-standing traditions as the foundation, and modern knowledge and high quality as the goal – that is our orientation,” shared Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh, the Rector of the University.
Glorious traditions are the foundation of strength.
- Professor Nguyen Van Khanh, the traditional milestone of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Vietnam, began with the establishment of the Faculty of Literature in 1945, which is also an important starting point for higher education in our country. Could you please tell us a little about this event?- On October 10, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh signed Decree No. 45 establishing the Faculty of Literature (initially called the Faculty of Literature under the Vietnam National University) in Hanoi. Professor Dang Thai Mai was appointed Director. The first teaching staff consisted of outstanding scholars such as Professors Dang Thai Mai, Dao Duy Anh, Cao Xuan Huy, Nguyen Van Huyen... as well as leaders of the Party and State such as President Ho Chi Minh, and comrades Pham Van Dong and Vo Nguyen Giap. Those renowned teachers devoted their hearts and minds to nurturing this University throughout the long resistance war against the French and trained a generation of outstanding students, including many professors of the later Hanoi University such as: Dinh Xuan Lam, Phan Huy Le, Ha Van Tan, Tran Quoc Vuong, Nguyen Tai Can, Phan Cu De, Ha Minh Duc... It can be said that the decision to establish the Faculty of Literature at a time when the people's democratic government was in its nascent stage demonstrated President Ho Chi Minh's foresight and vision regarding the position and role of social sciences and humanities in the nation-building cause and in preserving and promoting the cultural and humanistic values of the nation. It also marked the beginning of building the first generations of Vietnamese social science and humanities scientists, including many outstanding scientists and cultural figures.
- Hanoi University - a very famous name in Vietnamese higher education - has made exceptionally outstanding contributions to the cause of national construction and development during the resistance war period as well as the period of national reconstruction after gaining independence. Professor, could you tell us what those outstanding achievements are?- Hanoi University was founded in 1956 and was fortunate to have the support of a team of talented teachers who laid the foundation for the former Faculty of Literature and outstanding graduates from the years after peace was restored in the North. They directly participated in building the University and implementing training in two important scientific fields: Literature and History. It must be said that this talented team of teachers laid the first cornerstones for the achievements in research and training in social sciences and humanities over the past half-century. During the difficult period of the fierce resistance war against the US, Hanoi University continued to develop strongly and became a leading center for basic science training and research in the country, a familiar destination for many international scientists to carry out collaborative research and education activities with Vietnam. Hanoi University played a crucial role in shaping the relatively systematic foundation of Vietnamese social sciences and humanities at that time, encompassing specific fields and disciplines. The university enjoyed immense prestige and influence in society. The research of its faculty and students contributed significantly to the important political tasks of national liberation and socialist construction in North Vietnam. Furthermore, this period saw the emergence of many valuable classical research works in social sciences and humanities that remain relevant to this day. Hanoi University also saw the departure of many outstanding teachers and students who went to fulfill their duty of defending and liberating the country. Many names have been etched into the glorious history of the nation and brought honor to the university's traditions, such as Le Anh Xuan, Pham Van Phong, Ngo Van So, Chu Cam Phong, Nguyen Trong Dinh, and Dang Luan...
- With its origins as two renowned universities with a long history of achievements and significant contributions to the country, what kind of pressure does that create for the current faculty of the School, Professor?- First of all, we are extremely proud because not many universities in Vietnam have a development path so closely intertwined with the glorious and turbulent periods of our nation's history. The glorious tradition and achievements, the position we have attained in the past, are invaluable assets of great significance, both materially and spiritually, for the faculty and students of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - VNU today. This is the source and foundation of our internal strength for our efforts and endeavors in the next stage of development. Of course, the pressure is also immense. This includes the pressure to produce even more valuable research, the pressure to maintain the quality of education and our leading position in the context of today's rapidly changing society, the pressure to elevate the status and role of social sciences and humanities in contributing to the country's development, and the pressure to affirm our position in the process of integration with the world. We cannot fall behind our forefathers; instead, we must continue to rise higher and soar further, building upon the achievements of previous generations.
Professor, what lessons can the school learn from that tradition in its current development process?- From that history, if we had time to research and summarize, we could draw many lessons not only for the University but also for Vietnamese higher education in general. However, I would like to emphasize two things: Firstly, science and education, especially social sciences and humanities, must always maintain the goal of serving the development of the country, serving the practical needs of society and history. Only when we connect ourselves to practical conditions and the goal of serving the nation will science have the real motivation to produce works of real value, serving society and people. Secondly, in all difficult circumstances, if we know how to promote the collective spirit, how to awaken patriotism, and how to ignite a passion for research and contribution in each individual, we will create immense strength. Effectively utilizing human resources to work for people and the community will certainly lead to success.
It is a pillar of research and training in social sciences and humanities for the whole country.
- As the leader of one of the leading training and research institutions in the social sciences and humanities in the country, what are your observations on the challenges and development trends of the social sciences and humanities in the current period?- The world is currently undergoing rapid changes; information technology and the knowledge-based economy are dominating the pace of human societal development. Vietnamese social sciences and humanities are also facing difficulties in keeping up with real-life situations and international integration. Research and training now depend heavily on modern technology and infrastructure. Human beings are also more diverse and complex, with many different needs, conditions, and circumstances in society. Many new social problems are emerging with increasing complexity. Due to our country's development conditions being less advanced than many other nations, Vietnamese social sciences and humanities face difficulties in integrating with the outside world... This reality has led to several new development trends such as: the need for interdisciplinary research in social sciences and humanities, and the close intertwining and combination of social sciences and humanities with other scientific disciplines; The emergence of many new, specialized fields/disciplines to meet the practical needs of life, especially the human sciences; and the increasing demands for practical application in social sciences and humanities research...
- Based on that, what are the major challenges the school faces?- As a high-quality research and training institution in social sciences and humanities, the University identifies three fundamental challenges: the challenge of vision and innovative thinking in leadership and management to keep pace with the development trends of social reality; the challenge of building a highly qualified staff to meet the needs of research and training at an international level; and the challenge of modern infrastructure and equipment for high-quality training and research.
- In the context of fierce competition and the immense pressure of elimination in a market economy, are large, long-established universities less dynamic, responsive, and adaptable than younger universities? Is this a reality and a disadvantage?- I think that's not entirely accurate because everything has two sides. A young, dynamic university, if it lacks internal strength—in this case, a highly qualified faculty and a wealth of research and training achievements—will find it difficult to survive and develop sustainably. A university, roughly understood as "older," but with a solid foundation of internal strength, only needs the right direction and good solutions to have the power to adapt and progress quickly. The key is to have innovative thinking and specific goals in each stage of development, based on a clear understanding of both its advantages and limitations.
Professor, could you tell us about some of the outstanding achievements that the University of Social Sciences and Humanities has accomplished since becoming a member unit of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, until now?- As a member of the Vietnam National University, Hanoi since 1993, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities has continued to affirm its leading position and status as a pillar in research and training in social sciences and humanities nationwide. The university was honored with the title of "Hero of Labor" in 2005 for its outstanding contributions during the period of reform. In terms of training, the university has been proactive in expanding new training programs to meet the needs of societal development, increasing its competitiveness with other universities, such as: Journalism and Communication, Oriental Studies, International Studies, Psychology, Social Work, Management Science, Anthropology, Intellectual Property... These are not only new fields of study in Vietnam, but the quality of training is also highly regarded, with many programs being very popular and consistently achieving high admission scores. The university also offers many high-quality and internationally standardized programs, diversifying training methods, with a focus on expanding international collaborations with advanced universities worldwide, contributing to the training of high-quality human resources for the country, and simultaneously transferring technology and teaching processes from advanced universities, contributing to the development of internationally qualified staff. Aiming for high-quality training, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities is the first unit within the Vietnam National University, Hanoi to have essentially transitioned to a credit-based training method, updating and innovating curricula and teaching methods. The university is also a pioneer in training quality accreditation, having participated in self-assessment and external evaluation according to the standards of the Vietnam National University, Hanoi and the Ministry of Education and Training. The university will participate in the AUN accreditation process in 2012. Regarding scientific research, the university's scientific staff continues to contribute by providing scientific arguments to solve many problems of social development, demonstrated through numerous large-scale, interdisciplinary research projects with high practical value; pioneering in exploring new research fields.
In international relations, the University is a prestigious destination for foreign scholars and partners, expanding cooperative relationships with more than 100 universities and international organizations, and is a leading representative of Vietnamese social sciences and humanities in the international scientific community.
Leveraging all resources to integrate with the world.
- It is known that in June of this year, the 26th Party Congress of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities approved the goal of striving to bring the University into the top 200 universities in Asia within the next decade. What factors ensure the success of this goal, Professor?- This is a very ambitious goal, and achieving it requires specific qualitative and quantitative measures for each element. However, the University has identified the fundamental prerequisites for realizing this goal: Firstly, the tradition and long history of research achievements in social sciences and humanities accumulated over more than half a century; Secondly, the dynamism, creativity, and established and affirmed position of the University in recent times, especially the successful implementation of many cooperation activities and international joint programs with major universities around the world, and the participation of the University and VNU in many international science and education forums in the region and around the world; Thirdly, the strong determination of the University to utilize all resources to achieve this important goal.
- Does the professor have any suggestions or recommendations for the Vietnam National University, Hanoi in particular and the State in general to improve the quality of research and training in the social sciences and humanities today?- I would like to make the following suggestions: Firstly, the State should soon issue a revised Decree on National Universities to further affirm the model and superiority of the National University model, which is fundamentally different from regional universities in its organizational structure and operational methods; thereby enhancing the position and pivotal role of the Vietnam National University, Hanoi in the national higher education system. Secondly, there needs to be a special investment mechanism and policy to enable the University of Social Sciences and Humanities to effectively fulfill its leading mission; there should be special policies in attracting, training, and nurturing talent, based on granting it a high degree of autonomy in student recruitment, financial revenue and expenditure, including tuition fees. Third, the Ministry of Education and Training needs to quickly recognize and grant training program codes for a number of undergraduate and postgraduate programs that have been approved for pilot training and have undergone quality checks, such as Tourism Studies... Fourth, allow the University to invest in strengthening its facilities in downtown Hanoi to meet the University's development needs while awaiting the construction of a new campus in Hoa Lac.
- Thank you, Professor Nguyen Van Khanh, for the information provided, and we wish the school success in achieving its goals.
